PPP workers observe Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s death anniversary solemnly by taking out a rally. PHOTO: NNI
Bhutto had been executed at the Rawalpindi district jail on April 4, 1979. The jail was later converted into a park.
Party workers, decked in party’s colours and wearing thematic caps, had started gathering in the park at around 11 am. They recited passages from the holy Quran and Naats. They also placed floral wreaths at the site to remember Bhutto.
The workers stayed at the site until 1pm as they offered prayers earlier than scheduled due to the heavy rain.
Contrary to expectations, no prominent leader of the PPP attended the ceremony at Jinnah park since all national-level leaders had travelled to Larkana where the main party function was being held.
Those who attended the ceremony included, Raja Imran Ashraf, brother of former Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, PPP Rawalpindi division president Gulam Murtaza Satti, Nazar Gondal, PPP district Rawalpindi president Chaudhry Zaheer, party district general secretary Tauqir Abbasi, party president in Rawalpindi cantonment Malik Zaheer Arshad, and party president in Rawalpindi city Babar Jadoon.
Lawyers affiliated with the Peoples’ Lawyers Forum, led by Advocate Asad Abbasi, also attended the ceremony.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Jadoon claimed that around 4,000 people attended the ceremony. He claimed that the large gathering of PPP workers had dispelled the notion that the party had died in Punjab.
Jadoon added that a number of old faces, associated with the PPP, were seen at Tuesday’s gathering. He said that their presence encouraged young party workers.
Talking about plans of the PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari to visit Rawalpindi and stage a large public rally there, Jadoon said that party workers were ready to offer a warm welcome to their party supremo whenever he decides to visit the city.
Responding to a question about security measures, Jadoon expressed his satisfaction and said that the party had made adequate arrangements while local police had also cooperated with the party’s workers in maintaining security.
Meanwhile, a senior police officer said that the bomb disposable squad had combed park before the PPP held their event. He added that security inside the park maintained by the army.
Noting that security outside the park was under control of the police, he said that additional police force was deployed to provide security to party workers.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 5th, 2017.
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