PPP Marks Benazir Bhutto’s 18th Death Anniversary Across Pakistan

Garhi Khuda Bakhsh: On the occasion of the 18th death anniversary of former Prime Minister and daughter of the East Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan Peoples Party workers from across the country are reaching Garhi Khuda Bakhsh in large numbers. On the occasion of the anniversary, reception camps have been set up at various places along the routes and around the shrine, where facilities are being provided for the visiting workers.

Benazir Bhutto’s daughter, Asifa Bhutto, along with Faryal Talpur, visited the tomb of Benazir Bhutto and offered Fateha. On this occasion, they also laid flowers on the graves of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Murtaza Bhutto, and Shahnawaz Bhutto. PPP Sindh General Secretary Senator Waqar Mehdi and other leaders and workers also visited the graves of the Bhutto family.

The Sindh government has declared a public holiday on the occasion of the anniversary, while Azad Kashmir Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore has also issued a notification of a public holiday in Azad Kashmir.

Benazir Bhutto is one of the leaders of Pakistan who spent a large part of her life in political struggle. Her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, was hanged, while two of her brothers lost their lives in different incidents. Despite dictatorship, imprisonment, and exile, Benazir Bhutto did not give up the struggle for democracy.

Benazir Bhutto was born on June 21, 1953, in Karachi. She received her early education from Karachi Grammar School, while she completed her studies in political science and international law at Harvard and Oxford Universities. According to political observers, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto nominated Benazir Bhutto as his political successor instead of his sons, which was later proven correct.

Benazir Bhutto received a historic welcome upon her return to Pakistan in 1986. After the 1988 elections, she became the first female prime minister in the Islamic world, but her government was dissolved after a year and a half. She was re-elected prime minister in 1993, but her government was dismissed again in 1996.

After a long exile, Benazir Bhutto announced her return to Pakistan in 2007. Her welcome procession in Karachi was attacked by a suicide bomber, killing hundreds. Despite this, she continued her election campaign.

On December 27, 2007, after an election rally in Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi, he was assassinated, and he could not survive. He was later laid to rest next to his father and brothers in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh.

Like every year, this time too, on his death anniversary, workers and leaders are paying tribute to him and remembering his democratic struggle.