Tryst with destiny: Gone but not forgotten

Vigils, prayers and tributes for last of the four assassinated Bhuttos.

RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD:

What Kennedy was to the United States’ people and Gandhis to the Indians, Bhuttos are to Pakistanis. You would either love them or hate them. There is no in-between.

This was the feel at various gatherings held to commemorate the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in the twin cities and various towns of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

Haters may have stayed indoors. Those charmed by her political philosophy and leadership came out in droves and remembered her by holding vigils and meetings on Friday.

Representatives of civil society networks, human rights activists, students, writers, poets held a candle-light vigil at the Super Market.

Benazir Bhutto, popularly known by her initials, BB, was assassinated on December 27 in 2007 in Rawalpindi after addressing a political rally.

The participants lit candles in front of a giant poster adorning a portrait of Bhutto.

Tahira Abdullah, a peace and human rights activist, presented a resolution at the start of the candlelit vigil. She said the civil society representatives were proud of BB for her many firsts including being the first woman Prime Minister of Pakistan and the first woman head of state in the entire Muslim world.

“Rising above partisan politics, we recognize and acknowledge her unforgettable struggles for democracy, restoration of superior judiciary as well as for progressive thought, tolerance, diversity, pluralism and justice for all,” Abdullah said.

The participants at the vigil eulogized BB by making speeches, reading poems written about her and chanting slogans in support of democracy.

Harris Khalique, poet and intellectual, said BB was the “only undisputed martyr in Pakistan’s political history.” Khalique said even people who hated Benazir during her lifetime have come to shed tears after she was assassinated. He said Benazir’s contribution to women rights in Pakistan is unique and unparalleled.

“Benazir Bhutto not only symbolized true empowerment of women in Pakistan, she also realized it,” Khalique said.

Rehana Hashmi of the Sister’s Trust Pakistan said BB dreamt of a prosperous Pakistan where gender equality prevailed.

Jamil Asghar Bhatti of Lok Parya said BB was the last remaining leader who stood up against terrorism in the country.

The vigil was endorsed by the Islamabad chapter of Pakistan Reproductive Health Network, Fight Against Dowry Advocacy Network and the Insani Huqooq Ittehad, which is a consortium of human rights organizations in Pakistan.

A separate vigil was held near the D-Chowk, where participants lit candles to remember BB and set-up a screen to show the live telecast of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s speech from Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, where BB is buried in the Bhutto family’s ancestral mausoleum.

Gathering at Liaquat Bagh

A large number of Pakistan People’s party (PPP) activists from across Rawalpindi gathered at the Liaquat Memorial Hall.

Strict security arrangements were put in place and Liaquat Bagh road was closed for traffic.

The activists held party flags, portraits of BB and chanted slogans. They showered flower petals over BB’s portrait installed outside the Hall. They also offered prayers.

Former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and other provincial leaders were expected to attend the gathering but they did not turn up. However a former provincial minister Malik Mushtaq Awan, the PPP’s city president Amir Fida Paracha and other local leaders attended the gathering and delivered speeches highlighting BB’s struggle against anti-democracy forces.

“This is the party of martyrs and we will continue to sacrifice our lives for this country,” said Awan.

“Her father, brothers and she herself embraced martyrdom because she was working for our betterment and development of this country,” said Sharjeel Ahmad, a resident of Gujar Khan.

He said PPP always struggled for the uplift of downtrodden of the society adding BB would have avenged her father’s and brothers’ murders, had she believed in revenge.

“We only believe in democracy and this is the best revenge,” said Mukhtar Abbas, an enthusiast.

In Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) PPP workers held a function at the Central Press Club.

A Legislative Assembly member Sadaf Sheikh said that Bhutto proved herself as a brave leader while giving her life for democracy and such leaders are rare in the history of politics.

PPP women wing workers organised a separate programme to pay homage to Bhutto at the residence of Khawaja Farooq Ahmad. Leaders of the party delivered the speeches and highlighted sacrifices of Benazir Bhutto for the democracy.

A blood donation camp was also established to donate blood in connection with anniversary here at PPP secretariat in which dozens of workers donated blood for the thalassaemia patients.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 28^th, 2013.