The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and its followers across the country are celebrating the 17th death anniversary of their leader Ms. Benazir Bhutto today (Friday) with great devotion and respect.
The main gathering is scheduled to take place at Garhi Khuda Baksh, the final resting place and ancestral village of the Bhutto family. Chairman of People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, President Asif Ali Zardari and important national and provincial leaders of the party will address in the ceremony.
Benazir’s youngest daughter Asifa Bhutto Zardari, who is now the first lady of Pakistan and the central president of the People’s Party Ladies Wing, and Asifa’s sister and member of the Provincial Assembly Faryal Talpur, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah arrived at the President’s House in Nodero. A day before the anniversary in Garhi Khudabakhsh.
Meanwhile, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi and other leaders are also present there.
The 60 feet wide main stage at the rally venue is decorated with party flags, pictures of Benazir and other party leaders. On this occasion, eminent poets of the country will pay homage to their late leader through poetry.
Meanwhile, Larkana police have installed CCTV cameras in and around Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, and 8,500 police officers and personnel including SSUs, women, traffic officials and commandos have been deployed to ensure security.
People’s Party remembers its leader, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif also gave a message on Benazir’s death anniversary.
“Today we celebrate the 17th death anniversary of martyr Ms. Benazir Bhutto. A pioneer of democracy, and a strong supporter of dialogue and understanding in the political process, Ms. Benazir Bhutto is a symbol of courage and fortitude.” he wrote in a post on X this morning.
He said that the signing of the Democratic Charter between Benazir and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Nawaz Sharif is proof of their eternal legacy.
“I pay my deepest respects to his family, especially President Asif Ali Zardari and his family. [PPP] To Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and his followers, who are proudly carrying his vision and advancing his ideals,” he concluded.
Benazir Bhutto – A leading politician
Women have played an important role in Pakistan’s tumultuous political history in supporting detained relatives like Benazir.
Born on June 21, 1953 in the prominent Bhutto family, Benazir was known for her charisma and resilience. As a young woman, she spoke out in support of her father Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, also a former prime minister, who was imprisoned and executed in 1979 under the military regime of General Zia-ul-Haq.
Benazir was a Pakistani politician and stateswoman, who served as the country’s Prime Minister twice, from 1988 to 1990 and from 1993 to 1996.
She was the first woman to lead a Muslim-majority country as Prime Minister and the first woman to lead a democratically elected government, making her a trailblazer in the political landscape.
The former prime minister championed democracy, women’s rights and economic reforms amid significant political turmoil.
Despite his progressive vision, his tenure was plagued with challenges, including strained relations with opposition forces. Tragically, his life was cut short in 2007 during his election campaign for a historic third term, leaving a lasting legacy in Pakistan’s political history.