Huge crowd throngs Garhi Khuda Bakhsh on Benazir’s anniversary

Huge crowd gathered at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto on Tuesday to mark the 15th death anniversary of Pakistan’s female prime minister Mohtarma  Shaheed Benazir Bhutto.

Bhutto was martyred at a Liaquat Bagh rally in Rawalpindi on December 27, 2007, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday. 

Though she was martyred 15 years ago but her killers have not been unmasked till to date. 

The Peoples Party will observe Mohtarma Benazir’s death anniversary all across the country but the main function will be held in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh later today. 

The PPP activists have started reaching Garhi Khuda Bukhsh near Larkana and the party has completed all arrangements for the anniversary function which will be addressed by the top leaders of the PPP including former president and husband of late Benazir Bhutto, Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and others. 

Reached Larkana, tomorrow we will pay tribute to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto on her 15th martyrdom anniversary.We draw inspiration from her heroic struggle vs. dictatorship & extremism. She taught us to serve the people, to strive for a #PakistanforAll not just privileged few pic.twitter.com/CUeejcaL4c

— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) December 26, 2022

Benazir Bhutto (1953-2007) was the first democratically elected female leader of a Muslim country. She was daughter of the PPP founder and former prime minister Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. She became PPP chairperson in 1982. She served as country’s premier two times but her second stint in 1990s was cut short on corruption charges. She remained in exile in UK for many years but decided to end her exile to take part in 2008 general elections announced by then military ruler General ® Pervez Musharraf. She came back to Pakistan in 2007 and during a rally at Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi, she was assassinated.

I have led an unusual life. I have buried a father killed at age 50 & 2 brothers killed in the prime of their lives. I raised my children as a single mother when my husband was arrested & held for 8 years without a conviction-a hostage to my political career.#SalaamBenazirBhutto pic.twitter.com/vVcFYCjpKV

— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) December 27, 2022

In his message on the eve of the Martyrdom Day of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, former president Asif Ali Zardari said that he could not become negligent of the mission of Bibi Shaheed even in sleep.

He added that he had been guided by Benazir Bhutto Shaheed in politics, adding that the philosophy of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed was guiding him then.

“For the sake of the Constitution and democracy, Benazir Bhutto Shaheed faced the difficulties that no one else has faced till date. Benazir was a symbol of patience and tolerance,” he stated.

“With extreme bravery, patience and tolerance, Benazir destroyed the idol of the fear of dictators. She bravely resisted the barbaric and brutal dictators,” he added.

“We do not have such blood in our veins that melts like wax in the heat of the fire of difficulties. By going through such oppressive situations, we become more refined. This is what Benazir Bhutto Shaheed has taught us,” he pointed out.

“The continuation of democracy was the beautiful dream of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed. Alhamdulillah! I have fulfilled this dream of Bibi Shaheed,” he stated.

Meanwhile, PPP Chairman and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s vision and philosophy of reconciliation was a feasible strategy to resolve domestic and international issues as well as a world’s shared legacy.

In his message issued by the PPP media cell of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari House on the eve of the 15th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, the chairman PPP paid glowing tribute to her and said that they remembered her everyday and got guidance from her vision and ideology, adding that she was a charismatic leader with an understanding far ahead of her time, which was born in centuries.

“Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto always taught never to hate anyone and to forgive others,” he added.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari briefly referred to the services rendered by the ‘Daughter of the East’, saying that she was the architect of the democratic struggle in Pakistan, as well as the defender of the rights of the downtrodden classes and minorities; the pioneer of the practical struggle for the development and empowerment of women in the country; an advocate of civil liberties; advocated harmony and unity among federal units and was an unquestionable symbol of federalism.

“It is also the achievement of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s ideology that the democratic forces in the country today are on the same page and are determined to tackle the challenges facing the nation,” he said.

He reiterated his determination that the PPP, while strictly adhering to the ideology and philosophy of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, would continue its struggle to eradicate poverty, hunger, and unemployment from the country, and establish a society based on tolerance, equality, and brotherhood.

He further stated the PPP was also determined to continue its struggle to make Pakistan a strong democratic federal country and a role model for the Islamic world, to ensure social as well as economic justice by strengthening the parliament and democracy.