Remembering Benazir Bhutto: Four years on, the memory still lives

Tributes, prayers and candlelight vigil held to commemorate the anniversary.

RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD:

Benazir Bhutto advanced the concept of democracy as a means of taking revenge from dictators and oppressors, said social activist Marvi Sermad as people assembled for a candlelight vigil.

Social activists, political workers and civil society members converged at Parade Ground in Islamabad on Tuesday and highlighted Bhutto’s political struggle on her fourth death anniversary. Bhutto’s last speech was also aired on the occasion.

In Rawalpindi, Liaquat National Bagh - where Bhutto was assassinated -- was a hub of activity as people came all day long to pay tributes to their slain leader and pray for her.

A rally was held at the park. Federal Law Minister Babar Awan, Pakistan Baitul Maal Managing Director Zumurd Khan, member Central Executive Committee of PPP Qazi Sultan Ahmed and PPP City President Amir Fida Paracha addressed the rally.

Pakistan Baitul Maal Managing Director Zumurd Khan said as a young woman, Bhutto started her political carrier fighting against the dictatorial regime of Gen Ziaul Haq and she was killed four years ago fighting against the dictatorship of Gen Pervez Musharraf.

At another memorial reference arranged by Peoples Lawyers Forum at Rawalpindi Press Club, Awan said the PPP workers have been sacrificing lives for democracy and will to go to any extent to protect the democracy in the future.

High alert

The Rawalpindi city police remained alert as all roads leading to the memorial site were blocked and walk-through gates were erected on both sides of the road to check all visitors.

The flow of traffic, however, was hindered as the police blocked the busy Liaquat Road from both ends.

The traffic going towards Raja Bazaar from Murree Road was diverted to College Road and vehicles coming from Raja Bazaar were pushed towards Gawalmandi and onwards to Saddar.

Ambulances were seen stuck in the long row, as they were trying to reach District Headquarter Hospital at the College and Gawalmandi Roads.

With additional input from Azam khan.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 28^th, 2011.