SWABI, Dec 31: The Swabi Jamhoori Ittehad and the Swabi Qaumi Mahaz staged a demonstration on Monday in protest against Benazir Bhutto’s assassination here.

Led by Usman Khan Tarakai and district Nazim Shahram Khan, supporters of the two groups gathered at the Kernel Sher Chowk.

Mr Tarakai is contesting elections against president of the Awami National Party Asfandyar Wali Khan from NA-12 (Swabi-I).

Candidates of the two groups said that Ms Bhutto’s assassination had deprived Pakistan of a great leader.

Interestingly, they had not joined other political parties in observing three-day mourning. The two groups also held a Ghaibana Namaz-i-Janaza.

Meanwhile, PPP’s president for Swabi tehsil Javid Inqilabi dismissed the so-called show of solidarity as “an election show”, adding that the party had nothing to do with the demonstration.