Death anniversary: Benazir’s memory lives on in K-P, FATA

PPP vows to renew the pledge to make the country a progressive democratic Muslim welfare state.

PESHAWAR: The third death anniversary of the former Prime Minister and Chairperson of Pakistan People’s Party Benazir Bhutto will be observed in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) on Monday. Benazir, who was the first woman prime minister of a Muslim country, was assassinated in a bomb-and-gun attack in an election rally outside Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi on December 27, 2007.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in a statement here on Sunday vowed to renew the pledge to make the country a progressive democratic Muslim welfare state in her memory. The day will begin with special prayers in mosques for the departed soul of the charismatic leader and the progress and prosperity of Pakistan. Quran Khwani would also be held in this regard. Senators, members of parliament, leaders and workers of Pakistan Peoples Party from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have left for Ghari Khuda Bukhsh along with delegations to attend the third death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto to pay homage to their brave leader.

In-charge Peoples’ Secretariat Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Zahir Shah Toro told APP on Sunday that caravans of supporters and workers led by MNAs and MPAs from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have moved to Gari Khuda Bakhsh to attend prayer services for the late prime minister, who sacrificed her life for the socio-economic emancipation of the underprivileged and revival of genuine democracy in Pakistan.

All wings of PPP K-P including labour wing, Peoples Doctors Forum, Lawyers Forum, women and youth wings have also left for Ghari Khuda Bakhsh in large caravans.

The district organizations of PPP will also visit Ghari Khuda Bakhsh and lay floral wreaths on the tombs of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto and others.

The local leadership of all PPP wings and a large number of workers will visit the memorial site at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi to pay homage and offer fateha for their leader.

The workers and leaders of PPP have chalked out special programmes in K-P and FATA for this occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 27^th, 2010.