The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is marking the 17th death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto with great devotion today (Friday). Across Pakistan, supporters are gathering to honor the legacy of their beloved leader.
The central event is taking place in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, the final resting place of the Bhutto family. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, President Asif Ali Zardari, and key party leaders are set to address the crowd.
Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, Benazir’s youngest daughter and the first lady of Pakistan, is also attending. She leads the PPP Ladies Wing. Faryal Talpur, Asif Zardari’s sister and a member of the provincial assembly, is present as well. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah arrived at the Presidential House in Naudero a day earlier.
Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi and other leaders have also joined the occasion.
A massive stage, 60 feet wide, has been prepared at the gathering. It is adorned with PPP flags and portraits of Benazir Bhutto alongside other party leaders. Renowned poets will recite verses to honor her memory.
Security in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh is tight. The Larkana Police have installed CCTV cameras in the area. Over 8,500 officers, including Special Security Units (SSUs), women personnel, traffic staff, and commandos, are on duty to ensure safety.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also paid tribute to Benazir Bhutto. In a message on X, he called her a “champion of democracy” and an icon of resilience.
“Today, we remember the martyrdom of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto,” he wrote. He highlighted her advocacy for dialogue and reconciliation in politics.
The prime minister emphasized the importance of the Charter of Democracy. Signed by Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, it symbolizes her enduring impact. He expressed respect for her family, especially Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, and commended their efforts in continuing her vision.
Benazir Bhutto was a trailblazer in Pakistan’s political history. Born on June 21, 1953, into the prominent Bhutto family, she displayed exceptional charisma. She defended her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, when he was imprisoned and executed in 1979.
Benazir served as Pakistan’s prime minister twice, from 1988 to 1990 and 1993 to 1996. She was the first woman to lead a Muslim-majority country as its premier. Her progressive vision focused on democracy, women’s rights, and economic reforms.
Her tenure, however, faced challenges, including opposition pressure and political instability. Benazir’s life was tragically cut short in 2007. She was assassinated during her campaign for a third term.
Despite her untimely death, Benazir Bhutto remains an enduring symbol of hope and resilience in Pakistan’s history.
