PPP loyalists chant slogans in front of Bhutto's mausoleum in Garhi Khuda Bux. Thousands of loyalists descend on Garhi Khuda Bux every year on April 4 to observe the death anniversary of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. PHOTO: PPI
Public rallies will be held by the PPP and the Pakistan Peoples Party Shaheed Bhutto (PPP-SB), within the premises of the Garhi Khuda Bux mausoleum.
The day will start with Quran Khwani in the morning at the venue, followed by the distribution of free food among the participants. The PPP-SB will then hold a rally at the mausoleum in the morning while the PPP will hold one in the afternoon, at around 2pm.
The PPP rally is expected to include addresses by former president Asif Ali Zardari and patron-in-chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
Security measures
Strict security measures have been taken to avoid any untoward incidents and 7,000 policemen have been deployed at Garhi Khuda Bux and the Naudero House, according to the Larkana SSP.
Walk-through metal detectors have been installed at the venue of the rally, while participants will receive a full body pat down before being allowed to enter the venue.
In the past, the anniversary rallies were held at night. However, for the first time in 35 years, they will be held during the day due to security reasons.
Acting Sindh IGP Iqbal Mehmood has directed the police to ensure foolproof security measures for the entire Larkana district, including Garhi Khuda Bux. Mehmood also directed that measures have been taken to check those entering the province from other parts of the country. The official also suggested the formation of pickets and ordered vigilant snap checks and patrolling.
The arrivals start
Party leaders have started arriving at the Sukkur airport, while Zardari and Bilawal landed at the Moen Jo Daro airport and drove to the Garhi Khuda Bux mausoleum. The father and son, accompanied by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, laid wreaths on the graves of Bhuttos and offered Fateha. Later, they drove to the Naudero House.
Earlier, the chief minister requested party members to gather at the mausoleum to attend the rally. Shah recalled the struggles and sacrifices of the party’s leaders and talked of how they laid down their lives for their cause. He also pointed out that the party is still being targeted. “Even our present leaders, Bilawal and Zardari, are receiving life threats,” he said.
Responding to the call, jiyalas from all over the country converge on Garhi Khuda Bux to pay homage to the deceased leader.
Public holiday
The provincial government has announced a public holiday in the province to mark the death anniversary. According to a notification issued by services general administration and coordination department, all provincial government offices, schools and affiliated institutions and bodies will remain closed today (Friday).
The Private Schools Management Association, which represents the city’s private schools, also announced a holiday to commemorate the occasion.
A photo tribute to Bhutto
Sindh Minister for Culture and Tourism views a photo exhibition on Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in Karachi on Thursday. PHOTO: APP
The Sindh Culture and Tourism Department held a photo exhibition at the Sadequain Gallery in Frere Hall on the eve of the 35th death anniversary of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
More than 200 rare photographs, which were collected from various public and private sources, were displayed at the exhibition on Thursday. The photos depicted the life of Bhutto and celebrated his efforts to strengthen democracy.
The exhibition was inaugurated by the special assistant to the chief minister for the culture and tourism department, Sharmila Faruqi.
Speaking on the occasion, Faruqi said that Bhutto visualised the institution of democracy and wanted the adoption of a political system that helped the masses. “The Quaid-e-Awam was the only leader who encouraged the poor and the downtrodden to raise their voice for their rights,” she said.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 4th, 2014.
COMMENTS (6)
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Bhutto was a grand nobody and used every crook way he could to cling to power. But as we all know not only he fall victim to his own incompetency but also destroyed/high jacked a diversified political party which was formed by socialist leaders and union leader. What still i cant understand how and why nawabzada mir abdul karim baloch supported bhutto as the front end. Were these socialist leaders working with military janta during their agitation against Liaqat Ali Khan where they got trapped/blackmailed by Bhutto?
Sad and sad indeed. People ignore to remember and be thankful to the One (saw) who gives them everything.
"The fallen hero", seriously?!!
No One remember Bhutto, I am from Sindh Larkana and i know the situation there, it is all by force.
More liked failed hero. Sure, he was executed, but let's not forget that while he was alive he miserably failed on every front. This is how I will remember him, a leader who miserably failed, whose executed helped his image immensely in the long run.
I think the correct headline of this post should have been "35 years on, PPP still making its illiterate voters fool on the name of Bhutto"