POLITICAL

http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=ts&nid=3613&ad=28-12-2008

Mourners honour Benazir

Yasir Babbar
ISLAMABAD: Hundreds of devoted workers of Pakistan People’s Party of the twin cities marked the first death anniversary of their slain leader Benazir Bhutto on Saturday at Rawalpindi’s Liaqat Bagh, where she was assassinated on 27th December last year. A large number of workers, office-bearers, supporters gathered there to pay homage to their beloved leader Benazir Bhutto. Baabar Awan, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Farzana Raja Chairperson of Benazir Bhutto Income Support Programme and many MPAs of the Punjab Assembly belonging to PPP also gathered there to mark the death anniversary. They staged sit-in at the place where BB’s Pajero was at the time of incident. Innumerable rose petals were showered at Benazir Bhutto’s assassination spot and many lamps were lighted by her followers. Emotional scenes were witnessed and the entire town resounded with PPP slogans like, Zinda hai BB Zinda hai, Punjab ki beti Benazir, Kashmir ki beti Benazir, Sarhad ki beti Benazir, Balochistan ki beti Benazir, Sindh ki beti Benazir, Charon soobon ki Zanjeer Benazir Benazir, Kal bhi Bhutto Zinda tha Aaj bhi Bhutto Zinda hai. Farzana Raja could not control her tears when a Marsia Khawan recited a Marsia about BB’s martyrdom and other participants started crying while remembering their leader. At 5.20 p.m, the time BB fell victim to terrorists bullets, all mourners observed two minutes’ silence to pay tribute to their slain leader. Afterwards, hundreds of workers and supporters started walking towards Benazir Bhutto Hospital and people prayed for eternal peace of her soul. The Federal and Punjab governments had made high security arrangements in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Hundreds of security personnel were deployed in and out of the Liaqat Bagh to face any unexpected situation. Every participant had to pass the walk through gates to enter Liaqat Bagh. Many constables of Punjab police were standing alert at Murree Road leading to Liaqat Bagh. While, a number of traffic police officials were deployed to manage the traffic movement. Six ambulances were also alert on the spot to face any emergency and a first aid camp was also established. Various stalls had been set up where the people purchased posters and badges with photographs of Shaheed BB. Books about Bhutto family, cassettes and CDs of her speeches and songs in BB’s and Pakistan People’s Party’s praise were also on high sale.
yasirbabbar@gmail.com