RAWALPINDI: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) workers and leaders on Friday observedthe deathanniversaryof former prime minister Benazir Bhutto at the site where she was assassinated in a gun-and-bomb attack on December 27, 2007.

A grim atmosphere prevailed outside Liaquat Bagh where the PPP chairperson was assassinated. Despite the cold weather, party activists and supporters gathered at the site to offer Fateha from early in the morning.

Though a formal gathering was scheduled to be held before Maghrib prayers, the time when Ms Bhutto was assassinated, old workers and supporters arrived at the venue hours earlier.

Two separate functions were held at the site by PPP Workers Group led byher close aide Naheed Khan and the PPP city chapter.

Early in the morning, on the directive of Ms Khan, local leader Mohammad Ibne Rizvi, Malik Mazhar and Chaudhry Nasir accompanied by workers gathered atthe monument outside Liaquat Bagh and held Quran Khwani, washed the site with rose water and lit earthen lamps and offered Fateha. Charity food was also distributed at the site.

Speakers on the occasion paid homage to Ms Bhutto and vowed to fulfil her mission of raising voice for the voiceless and the supremacy of parliament.

In the afternoon, PPP Rawalpindi city chapter arranged another function at the site.

Speaking at the gathering, President’s spokesperson and former managing director Pakistan Baitul Maal Amir Fida Paracha, PPP Punjab Vice President Rana Rafaqat Ali Khan and other leaders paid tribute to Ms Bhutto. They said she sacrificed her life for supremacy of the constitution and democracy.

They said the world recognises the leadership quality of Ms Bhutto as she was a great progressive leader not only of the Islamic countries but also of the whole world. They said she spent her life in this struggle until the end so that the deprived and oppressed classes could get their basic rights without discrimination and obstacles.

The speakers said majority of people of Pakistan had become part of this struggle alongside Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is the last ray of hope for the people of Pakistan, they added.

They said today imperialist powers were once again seeking to seize the resources of the country and snatch the people’s right to rule. The PPP would continue its struggle under the leadership of Mr Bilawal and Asif Ali Zardari to secure nuclear assets of Pakistan and put the country on the path of development.

Quran Khwani at BISP offices

Meanwhile, Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) also organised Quran Khwani in its offices. On the instructions of BISP Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid, Quran and Fateha Khwani was held in all offices of the BISP across the country.

The former prime minister conceived the idea of BISP during her exile in Dubai and the concept was realised in 2008 by the then President Asif Ali Zardari.

BISP is Pakistan’s largest social protection initiative. It continues to empower underprivileged women economically, making a significant positive impact on their lives.

At the conclusion of the Quran recitation, special prayers were offered for the eternal peace of the departed soul with a resolve to continue her mission to serve humanity and for the prosperity of Pakistan.

BISP staff paid tribute to Ms Bhutto for her remarkable public services and sacrifices. They reaffirmed their commitment to her vision of strengthening women’s empowerment and enhancing the social security system in Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2024