KARACHI, Dec 27 The first death anniversary of former prime minister and PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto was observed in the city on Saturday with great respect and veneration.

All government offices, banks and educational institutions were closed as the government had declared Dec 27 a public holiday. However, some private businesses remained open.

The state-run and private television channels gave special coverage to the programmes being organised on Ms Bhutto's first death anniversary across the country.

The leaders and workers of the PPP held condolence meetings across the city to pay homage to their slain leader. However, majority of the leaders and workers were in Garhi Khuda Baksh to attend the main events of her death anniversary.

Public transport on city roads was thin and the attendance of the medical staff in the government and private hospitals also remained low.—PPI