Islamabad: The 10th death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto was observed throughout the country on Tuesday with prayers and tributes.
Benazir, the first woman to become prime minister of a Muslim country, was assassinated on December 27, 2007 in an attack after addressing a rally in Rawalpindi.
A number of events were held throughout the country to pay due respect to Benazir — symbol of courage and women empowerment.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) commemorated the 10th death anniversary of its former chairperson and two times prime minister of the country with reverence.
Early in the morning, a Quaran khani (special prayer) was held. Benazir’s husband Asif Zardari, her son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, other family members and leaders will lay floral wreaths at the mausoleum of Benazir Bhutto and other leaders of Bhutto family.
The PPP has organised a massive public meeting on December 27, at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto to pay tribute to the great leader in recognition of her lifelong struggle for the cause of democracy and protection of rights of the people.
The meeting will be addressed by PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari who has especially flown back home to attend the death anniversary. Around a million people are expected to attend the gathering on Tuesday night.
The Sindh government has made effective security arrangements to ensure a smooth flow of traffic on all important roads in the region as convoys would be coming from all over the country to attend the anniversary.
Tricolour party flags, banners and life-size portraits of Benazir, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Asif Ali Zardari adorned the venue of the public meeting as well as the route to the venue.
Entry to Benazir’s mausoleum at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, Larkana, would only be allowed after passing through security gates. In this regard, Sindh Chief Minister Murdad Ali Shah has held several meetings to ensure a hassle-free anniversary.
Benazir was assassinated on December 27, 2007, as she led a rally in Rawalpindi. She is buried in the magnificent white Garhi Khuda Bux mausoleum where her father Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was also buried.
According to a message put forward on the party’s Facebook page: “It [death anniversary] will be a time to recall the political struggle and sacrifices of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and also to remember what vision for democracy, peace and prosperity she gave to the nation.”
In a special message on his mother’s death anniversary, Bilawal said those who killed Benazir had actually planned to kill the whole nation, but former president Asif Ali Zardari saved the country by raising ‘Pakistan Khappay’ (Long Live Pakistan) slogan after her assassination in Rawalpindi.
He said that Benazir lost her father, brothers and even mother fighting for the rights of masses.
