The 18th death anniversary of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was commemorated with great reverence and respect by the Pakistan Peoples Party in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto on Saturday.
A large stage and rally ground were prepared, decorated with party flags and pennants. Leaders and workers from various parts of the country arrived in caravans at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto. They paid emotional tributes at Benazir Bhutto’s mausoleum, chanting slogans and offering prayers. “Long live Bibi!” “Long live the leader of the four provinces!” The air of Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto resonated with the slogans of Benazir.
The ceremonies began in the morning with recitation of verses from the Holy Quran. A mushaira (poetry symposium) was held where renowned poets from the country paid tribute to Benazir Bhutto through their words. Following this, a public rally is to be held which and addressed by President Asif Ali Zardari, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf,Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah,Sindh President Nisar Khuhro, KP Saddar Mohammad Ali Shah, AJK President Ghulam Yaseen, Senator Sheery Rahman, Former CM Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, KPK Governor Faisal Kareem Kundi, Azad Jammu Kashmir Prime Minister Raja Faisal Rathore, Central Secretary General Humayoon Khan PPP Parliamentary Secretary General Nair Hussain Bukhari and other central and provincial leaders. First Lady and MNA Aseefa Bhutto Zardari were present.
Security arrangements were made extremely strict. More than 10,000 police personnel performed their duties.
Walk-through gates and close-circuit cameras have been installed at the entry points of the rally ground as well as at the main gates of the mausoleum.