Women pose infront of a large party poster in Liaquat Bagh on Friday. PHOTO: NNI
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Peoples Party demonstrated its power in Rawalpindi's historic Liaquat Bagh on Friday with a large number of workers from across the country participating in the gathering dedicated to Benazir Bhutto.
It was the first big public meeting of the PPP in Liaquat Bagh after 12 years on the day former premier and party chairperson was killed in a gun-and-suicide attack at that spot.
However, 12 years on, the mood was festive with people pinning hopes on PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto.
A large number of people were attired in PPP flag dresses, or wearing caps, mufflers, and scarves of party colours. The ground was decorated with party flags and photos of the leaders.
PPP volunteers had started playing party anthem in the ground from last night and continued throughout the day.
The city administration facilitating the holding of the rally had closed Murree Road from Mareer Chowk to Committee Chowk with containers at 11am.
People were not allowed to bring vehicles and PPP supporters had to walk to reach Liaquat Bagh where police had placed strict security measures.
PPP enthusiasts coming from Sindh, Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) were seen throwing flowers on the monument of Benazir Bhutto. Some offered fateha while many were taking selfies.
Security check
Police had set up walkthrough gates on the entire road from Mareer Chowk to Liaquat Bagh. All people coming to the jalsa were required to walk through the metal detector gates and get frisked. The Bomb Disposal Squad of the Civil Defence led by District Officer Talib Hussain was also present in the ground.
Rawalpindi police used the opportunity of PPP public gathering at Liaquat Bagh to launch Tactical Action Group (TAG) surveillance vehicles equipped with cameras and communication devices. Rawalpindi RPO Sohail Habib Tajik and CPO Ahsan Younas were on the ground to personally monitor the security measures. Initially, six such vehicles have been launched.
Business opportunity
Vendors follow public gathering. People selling PPP flags, badges, caps and mufflers were making quick bucks.
The best buy, however, was hot tea and kahwa which Pashtun and Afghan children were selling. Carrying thermoses filled with steaming hot tea, these little entrepreneurs had elixir to the biting cold.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 28th, 2019.
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