Martyrs' families quit PPP over neglect

At least 27 workers lost their lives along with Benazir after Liaquat Bagh rally

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RAWALPINDI:

Some of the families of 27 activists, who lost their lives in the firing and suicide attack along with former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on December 27, 2007, have quit the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) due to ignorance of the party's leadership and the respective governments.

Some of them have joined the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), while other families are still with the PPP. However, the majority of them have turned away from political activities due to continuous neglect.

Anniversary prayers were organised in the homes of these martyred workers. Hamza Raza, the son of late PPP activist Rafiq Raza, whose family left the PPP to join PTI, says the PPP government in 2008 had announced to give plot, job and financial assistance, but failed to fulfil its promise. The PPP's local leadership also forgot his father's sacrifice, they left, he added.

Mrs Javed, the wife of martyred Sheikh Javed, also complains of being sidelined despite repeated announcements of financial assistance. Victims' families say the party does not look after them even on Eid days.

On the other hand, the families of slain Raja Amin, Siraj Khan, Mumtaz Ahmed, Muhammad Habib and Ghaus families though stand with the PPP but they avoid talking about their 'grievances' openly.

The families of the martyrs deplore the non-arrival of any party office-bearer to their graves or to visit their homes for condolences on this death anniversary. They still recognise Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as their leader and declare him the saviour of Pakistan.

Muhammad Akhtar Saeed Bappa, Hasnain Ashraf, Mian Altaf Butt, Haji Khalid, Raja Riaz and Uzair Butt, who were injured in the tragedy of December 27, still cry remembering the tragedy and the martyrdom of Benazir Bhutto.

Senior PPP leader Nasir Mir claims the families of martyrs have been financially supported by the PPP, but with the passage of time, the PPP should take the responsibility of sponsoring the families of these martyrs.

All set for 17th death anniversary

Separate anniversary prayer ceremonies will be held in the houses and at the graves of all the martyred workers and their slain leader Benazir Bhutto today (Friday). The families of 27 PPP workers will spend this day remembering their loved ones in grief once again as their wounds become fresh.

The preparations for their 17th death anniversary have been going on for the past several days. PPP flags have been hoisted on the houses of these martyrs along with pictures of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto and Bilawal Bhutto.

The families will once again shed tears in the memory of their loved ones after remembering the terrible incident of the Liaquat Bagh tragedy.

The family members of slain PPP activists have started making arrangements three days in advance to recite the Holy Quran, visit their graves and prepare food of their choice on the anniversary.