Benazir Bhutto Memorial remains broken promise

Eighteen years after assassination, site at Liaquat Bagh lies in ruins, haven for addicts

RAWALPINDI:

Rawalpindi is set to observe the 18th anniversary of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto on December 27 with a dedicated commemoration at Liaqat Bagh, the site of her assassination in 2007.

The Pakistan People's Party's city leadership, along with party workers from across the area, will participate in the event featuring floral tributes, prayers, and reflections on her life and sacrifices.

However, even after 18 years since the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, Liaquat Bagh remains disused and neglected. Despite its many promises, the PPP has failed to construct the repeatedly announced "Benazir Bhutto Memorial" at her place of martyrdom in Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi.

Former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, then interior minister Rehman Malik, and the chief minister of Sindh announced on at least 10 occasions that a memorial would be built at the site.

In 2008, an allocation of Rs100 million was also announced for the project. However, neither the funds were released nor was the memorial constructed.

Today, the site of Benazir Bhutto's martyrdom has turned into a dilapidated structure. Drug addicts gather there at night, and the area has suffered extensive damage and neglect.

Only minor decoration has been carried out ahead of her 18th death anniversary, merely to mark the day.

After taking oath as prime minister in 2008, Yousaf Raza Gilani visited the site and announced the release of funds for the memorial. The following year, in 2009, he reiterated the announcement, stating that designs had been finalised.

According to the plan, the memorial was to comprise four buildings: one housing a historical photo gallery of the Bhutto family, another a large multipurpose auditorium for functions, a third serving as a waiting and meeting area, and a library equipped with screens to show documentaries on PPP history and the achievements of the Bhutto family.