Benazir’s assassination: 11 years on, Pindi’s 11 families continue to feel hurt

Family of slain party workers say they got allotment letters for homes but have yet to get their possession

RAWALPINDI: Exactly 11 years ago on this day, around 11 families of Rawalpindi lost their loved ones. Despite the length of time, the recurrence of the day refreshes the pain and anguish they suffered that day.

On December 27, 2007, the 11 workers of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) — were at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi for a political rally by former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. Little did they know that the park, named after the country’s first prime minister, Liaquat Ali Khan and the site of his murder, would also become the site of another prime minister’s murder.

On the evening of December 27, 2007, as Benazir left the stage and waved to the crowd of supporters who had gathered, from the sunroof of her car, shots rang out and then immediately followed by a terrifying suicide blast.

At least 24 people were killed in the attack, along with 11 PPP workers from Rawalpindi including Raja Habib, Raja Amin, Mumtaz Ahmed, student leader Asif Samar, Ratta Amral’s Jamil Mughal, Naya Muhalla’s Rafique Raza —alias Kaala Khan, Malik Javed Iqbal, Amarpura’s Muhammad Shafique, Dhoke Mangtal’s Anwar Khan, Mazharabad’s Siraj Khan and Muhammad Ghous.

Over a decade later, the family, children and friends of these 11 men seem to get lost in their photographs as they nostalgically recall past memories.

Despite the fact that they paid the ultimate price for their loyalty to the party and its leaders, their families also remember Benazir fondly with party flags and pictures of PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto — coincidentally executed in Rawalpindi as well, along with those of Benazir and Begum Nusrat Bhutto.

As compensation for their loss, the government had provided them with allotment letters for houses in a private housing society.

But 11 years on, they have yet to be handed possession of the houses and are compelled to shuttle between different offices seeking possession of what should be their property.

Khawaja Saeed and Riaz, who lost their limbs in the attack and were left handicapped for life, recalled the ordeal.

Riaz, who had lost his hand in the attack, said that the incident was like the worst nightmare he ever had. So terrible that it still sends shivers down his spine.

While some faithful keep turning up at the site where Benazir was killed to cover a plaque with rose petals and to light candles, Saeed and Riaz have been waiting for the past 11 years for Benazir’s husband, former president Asif Ali Zardari and son PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to visit the site on the day.

When asked, they did not have an answer as to why they wait, suggesting it was just sentiments or for some hope of empathetic closure.

But maybe they could also plead the case of their fallen party members to provide them with their promised compensation.

PPP to renew pledge for democratic struggle

Meanwhile, PPPP Information Deputy Secretary Palwasha Khan on Wednesday said that the party has finalised all arrangements to observe the 11th death anniversary of Benazir on December 27 and to renew the pledge to take forward her lifelong struggle for democracy.

Talking to the media Palwasha said that the party will observe the anniversary at Liaquat Bagh on Thursday with a recitation of the Holy Quran at 1 pm followed by a prayer at 5:05 pm — around the time when the fatal attack took place.

On the occasion, she said, PPP leaders will highlight the achievements of Benazir who struggled for democracy and sacrificed her life for the people of the country.

She added that PPP’s main function will be held at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh where PPP workers across the country would participate in a large rally. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and President Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian (PPPP) and other senior leaders will address the rally in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh.

She said party workers will also lay a wreath on the grave of the former prime minister and would pray. Palwasha added that Benazir led the nation as its prime minister and leader of the opposition to instill a strong democracy, uphold the supremacy of the Constitution, and rights of all sections of society.

WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 27^th, 2018.