Daily Times

LAHORE: Sindh government, on Tuesday, announced that December 27 would be a public holiday to observe late Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Benazir Bhutto’s 10th death anniversary.

This announcement is in connection to the plans of PPP to commemorate the 10^th anniversary of the party leader who embraced martyrdom on December 27, 2007 while returning from a public rally she addressed in Liaquat Bagh. Eyewitnesses reported hearing gunshots after which there was a suicide blast which left more than 20 people dead including the former prime minister.

PPP has organised a ceremony on Wednesday in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh in Larkana. The village is where the Bhuttos hail from and where Benazir is buried. A Mushaira will be held as part of the ceremony and will be followed by a public rally which will be addressed by PPP president and chairman.

Security arrangements have also been made for the observance of the late premier’s death anniversary. Over 7000 Rangers and police personnel are expected to perform their duties on Wednesday and 60 CCTV cameras have been installed in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh for the sake of security.

Earlier today, Sherry Rehman lauded Benazir for dying like a soldier. While criticising the government, she said that the current government had put the country into financial duress through debts and said that only PPP had the vision for development in the country.

Rehman Malik also urged the Afghan government to cooperate with Pakistan and return the person who is suspected of involvement in Benazir’s assassination.

Referring to the struggle of PPP despite the loss of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto, Latif Khosa said that the party raised the slogan of “Pakistan Khappay” despite the sacrifices that it gave.