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Published 27 Dec, 2010 01:01am

Tight security as PPP leaders, workers converge in Garhi

LARKANA: Leaders and workers of the Pakistan People’s Party have gathered here to observe the third anniversary of the assassination of their leader Benazir Bhutto today.

The main programme of the day is a public meeting to be held at the camp office of the President’s House in Naudero to be addressed by President Asif Ali Zardari.

Strict security arrangements have been made here and special passes have been issued for entering the camp office which can accommodate about 8,000 people.

At the end of the public meeting, documentaries on Benazir Bhutto would be screened, Sindh Law Minister Ayaz Soomro said on Sunday.

Another gathering will be held in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto where workers and admirers of Benazir would watch the live coverage of the proceedings of the meeting at the camp office.

Caravans of people waving tricolour flags and portraits of the four slain Bhuttos, Z.A. Bhutto, Murtaza, Shahnawaz and Benazir, poured in Garhi from various parts of the country.

Tents for about 50,000 visitors have been pitched close to the mausoleum.

A big stage has been erected and two walk-through security gates have been set up for entry into the venue and Police and Rangers personnel have been deployed on all roads leading to the area.

Larkana DPO Irfan Baloch said that 6,000 security personnel, including 800 commandos had been deployed in and around the venues of the two meetings.

Air surveillance of both events would also be carried out, he said. Close-circuit cameras have been installed inside the mausoleum and at the camp office and special arrangements for traffic have been made.

Medical camps have been set up near the shrine and a fleet of ambulances have been brought from all over the province to meet any eventuality.

PPP workers arriving in Garhi are visiting the mausoleum raising slogans of Jeay Bhutto Sada Jeay and Zinda Hai Bibi Zinda Hai and offering fateah at the graves.

In Larkana, PPP has set up camps along roads to welcome visitors. The city has been decorated with large street banners. Larkana’s trade bodies have volunteered to keep their businesses closed on Monday.

The day will begin with Quran Khawani at the mausoleum followed by the laying of floral wreaths on graves, distribution of food and a mushaira.

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