Pakistan People’s Party to hold two functions to mark Benazir Bhutto’s anniversary

 

For the first time in seven years, the Pakistan People’s Party has decided to hold two separate functions – one in Sindh and other in Punjab - to observe the death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto on Dec 27.

On the proposal of the Punjab PPP chapter, former president and party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has agreed to hold separate events to facilitate workers of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtaunkhawa and Kashmir.

Amid reports of differences between Mr Zardari and PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto, the latter will be ‘requested’ to cut short his stay in London and attend the Punjab event at Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi, where Benazir Bhutto was assassinated. Mr Zardari will preside over the Ghari Khuda Bakhsh function.

Since Mr Bilawal has reportedly been asked to have ‘temporary break’ from politics over his fiery speech against MQM chief Altaf Hussain, it will be interesting to see whether he cares to attend the party event in connection with death anniversary of his mother in Pakistan.

“This year the PPP is going to hold two separate events to mark the death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed. There are two main reasons to hold a separate event primarily to facilitate the PPP workers from Punjab, KP and Kashmir who face difficulties in reaching Ghari Khuda Bakhsh and at the place where BB was assassinated,” Punjab PPP President Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo told Dawn here on Thursday.

Mr Wattoo said the death place of BB was also very important and the party had been thinking to hold a separate event there to mark her (death) anniversary. “A large number of PPP workers will attend both events,” he said, adding a meeting to make arrangements at the Liaquat Bagh would be held in Rawalpindi on coming Monday in which 30 district presidents and senior leaders of Punjab would participate.

To a question who would preside over both functions, Mr Wattoo said: “Zardari sahib will attend Ghari Ghuda Bakhsh event and Mr Bilawal may attend Liaquat Bagh function.” He, however, dismissed differences reports between the father and the son.