The 17th death anniversary of the assassinated chairperson of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and former premier Benazir Bhutto is being observed today (Friday.)
A large number of PPP workers and leaders across the Country, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azaad Jamu & Kashmir have started to reach at Benazir Bhutto's mausoleum in Ghari Khuda Bux near Naudero.
Security arrangements have been tightened to maintain law and order situation on the occasion and traffic plan has been chalked out for the convenience of the people.
The main ceremony will be held at the mausoleum of Benazir Bhutto this afternoon.
President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will address on the occasion.
Meanwhile, President Zardari, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other political and social personalities have paid tributes to Shaheed Benazir Bhutto on her 17th death anniversary.
Earlier, President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday visited the mausoleum of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh to commemorate the 17th anniversary of her martyrdom.
The president offered Fateha and laid a wreath at Benazir Bhutto’s grave.
He also recited the Holy Quran at the mausoleum and prayed for Benazir Bhutto Shaheed and other members of the Bhutto family buried in the ancestral graveyard.
It was December 27, 2007, when 20 party workers were killed and scores suffered injuries in the attack on the former premier while the high-profile murder still remains a mystery even after 17 years.
The deadly incident occurred after Benazir Bhutto prepared to leave the venue following an emotional speech, and as she stands in her bomb-proof vehicle to cheer supporters, a gun and bomb attack followed.
The daring politician was rushed to the hospital where she succumbed to the wounds.
Shaheeed Benazir Bhutto remains a pivotal figure in the political narrative of Pakistan. Born into the influential Bhutto family on June 21, 1953, she was a staunch advocate for her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, particularly during his imprisonment and subsequent execution in 1979.
Her early political involvement set the stage for a remarkable career that saw her break new ground as the first woman to hold the office of prime minister in a Muslim-majority country.
Bhutto's tenure as prime minister, first from 1988 to 1990 and again from 1993 to 1996, was marked by a focus on reforms aimed at modernizing the country’s economy, expanding social services, and enhancing the role of women in Pakistani society.
She attempted to navigate the complex and often volatile political landscape, striving to balance economic progress with the promise of democratic governance.
However, her time in office was marred by controversies, economic difficulties, and accusations of corruption, which ultimately led to her dismissal in 1996.
Her return to Pakistan after years of self-imposed exile was met with high hopes for a renewed political revival.
In 2007, she embarked on a campaign for a third term as prime minister, seeking to lead the country through a period of uncertainty.
Tragically, her life was cut short when she was assassinated while addressing a rally in Rawalpindi, a violent act that stunned the nation and the international community alike.
Despite her untimely death, Benazir Bhutto's legacy as a symbol of resilience and determination endures in Pakistan’s political landscape.
Her commitment to democratic principles and her efforts to advance women's rights continue to influence political discourse in the country. Even in death, Benazir Bhutto remains an iconic figure, emblematic of both the challenges and the potential of Pakistani politics.