The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and its supporters nationwide are marking the 17th death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto today (Friday) with deep devotion and respect.
The central commemoration will take place in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, the hometown and burial site of the Bhutto family. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, President Asif Ali Zardari, and senior party leaders will address the gathering.
Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, Benazir’s youngest child and the First Lady of Pakistan, along with PPP Ladies Wing President and Faryal Talpur, a provincial assembly member, arrived at the Naudero Presidential House in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh a day earlier. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also reached the venue in preparation for the event.
Governor Faisal Karim Kundi of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other leaders are also attending.
A 60-foot-wide stage, adorned with party flags and portraits of Benazir and other PPP leaders, has been set up at the event site. Renowned poets will pay homage to Benazir through their verses during the occasion.
For security, Larkana Police have deployed 8,500 personnel, including SSU officers, female staff, traffic police, and commandos, and installed CCTV cameras in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh and surrounding areas.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a tribute to Benazir on her death anniversary.
“Today, we observe the 17th anniversary of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s martyrdom. She was a champion of democracy and an unwavering advocate for dialogue and reconciliation in politics, embodying courage and resilience,” he posted on X this morning.
Highlighting the Charter of Democracy signed by Benazir and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Nawaz Sharif, he called it a testament to her enduring legacy.
“I extend my profound respect to her family, especially President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, as well as her supporters who continue to uphold her vision and ideals,” he concluded.
Benazir Bhutto: A Trailblazer in Pakistani Politics
Women have played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s turbulent political history, with figures like Benazir leading movements and rallying support for their causes.
Born on June 21, 1953, Benazir hailed from the influential Bhutto family. She emerged as a defiant voice, supporting her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, a former prime minister imprisoned and executed in 1979 under General Zia-ul-Haq’s military regime.
Twice serving as Pakistan’s prime minister (1988–1990, 1993–1996), Benazir was the first woman to lead a Muslim-majority nation and a democratically elected government.
A champion of democracy, women’s rights, and economic reform, her tenure faced significant political challenges, including opposition tensions. Tragically, her life ended in a 2007 assassination during her campaign for a third term. Despite this, her legacy endures in Pakistan’s political history as a symbol of resilience and progress.
