Death anniversary: Renewed probe into Benazir’s assassination demanded

PPP leaders say investigation under the new plan will also help combat terrorism

RAWALPINDI: Activists and workers of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Rawalpindi chapter, on Saturday paid glowing tributes to the former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto for her services to the cause of democracy in the country.

On the occasion of former PPP chairperson’s 7th death anniversary, party’s district leadership demanded of the government to investigate Bhutto’s assassination under the new ‘National Action Plan’, adding that would strengthen the efforts being taken to combat the menace of terrorism.

“What our brave leader predicted has proven true. Those who were terming Taliban as their brothers are now appealing for help to fight Taliban’s barbarism,” said PPP Divisional Coordinator Raja Imran Ashraf, while talking to The Express Tribune.

He said that Bhutto was assassinated under a well-planned conspiracy that had yet to be uncovered.



“We want to see the ugly faces of her killers just to tell them that she is still alive and her mission is being carried on by thousands of her supporters,” Ashraf said.

Addressing the participants of the rally, PPP leader Zamarud Khan said that Benazir was alive in the hearts and the minds of the people.

“She was a leader of international stature who laid down her life for the supremacy of the constitution and democracy in Pakistan,” he said.

Khan said the day Bhutto was assassinated, was the darkest in the history of the country.

“If Bhutto was alive, Pakistan would have joined the league of developed countries,” he said.

Khan said they would pursue the mission of Benazir Bhutto till their last breath and would never succumb to the pressure of the anti-democratic forces that wanted to destroy the institutions of the country.

“She inherited an ideology of sacrifices for the cause of democracy, serving the downtrodden and of [struggling for the] supremacy of constitution. Neither dictatorship nor weapons can kill this ideology,” said former MNA Haji Gulzar Muhammad Awan.

The rally ended with prayers for Bhutto.

Meanwhile, members of PPP labour and women and youth wings as well as doctors’ and lawyers’ forums reached Liaquat Bagh where Bhutto was assassinated on December 27, 2007 to homage to their leader.

Earlier, rallies from various cities and union councils including Taxila, Gujjar Khan, Murree, Jehlum, Attock and Chakwal started reaching the garrison city since morning.

The activists visited the memorial site at Liaquat Bagh.

Moreover, special congregations were also organised by local chapters of the party throughout the district in memory of the former prime minister.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 28^th, 2014.