KARACHI: With a daylong massive show of strength on the streets of Karachi, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Sunday hinted at capturing the city’s political arena in the 2018 general elections, hoping to benefit from divisions that have affected the rank and file of the rival Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).
The PPP staged a “Salam-i-Shuhada rally” to remember those who lost their lives in the twin suicide bombing on the homecoming procession of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto at Karsaz here on Oct 18, 2007.
Accompanied by senior party leaders, including two former prime ministers Yousuf Raza Gilani and Raja Pervez Ashraf, the young chairman led the rally which began its journey from Bilawal House in Clifton in the afternoon and ended at midnight at Karsaz — the place where more than 150 people were killed nine years ago.
Big show held in Karachi to pay homage to those killed in bombing during Benazir’s 2007 procession
While a traffic diversion plan was in place, commuters and motorists faced immense difficulties because of security arrangements made for the rally whose route covered almost two entire districts — South and East. The PPP said it held the rally on the weekly holiday to cause less inconvenience to people.
Mr Bhutto-Zardari, who was riding a bombproof truck, addressed the participants of the rally on four spots. First, he spoke at the Bilawal Chowrangi in Clifton, then in Lyari from where he proceeded towards the Quaid’s mausoleum and finally at Karsaz.
Amid loud slogans, he said that the PPP would win the 2018 general election from all over the country with the support of people.
Carrying tri-coloured party flags, PPP workers were seen dancing to the tunes of party anthems which blared in full volume throughout the route of the rally.