PPP CEC meets 30th death anniversary of ZAB today

Naudero/Garhi Khuda BuKHSH - 30th death anniversary of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the former prime minister and founder of PPP, will be observed throughout the country today (Saturday). Millions of people from across the country are expected to pay rich tribute to their great leader at Garhi Khuda Bukhsh Bhutto.
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, first elected prime minister of Pakistan, was hanged by the military dictator Gen Zia on April 4, 1979. General Zia had unconstitutionally taken over the rule and removed the popularly elected prime minister. That is why Garhi Khuda Bux is now called the martyrs’ city and has gained international recognition, especially after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. Thousands of spirited party workers have thronged this small town chanting “Bhutto to live for ever” (Jeay Bhutto Sada Jeay) and “BB you are still alive” (Zinda hey BB Zinda hey”. Every street of Garhi Khuda Bukhsh is decorated with tri-coloured flags and banners of PPP, the party of martyrs.
In this connection, the main ceremony is scheduled for mid night at Garhi Khuda Bukhsh, the final rest place of Quaid-e-Awam, who preferred to sacrifice his life for cause of democracy instead of bowing before the military dictator.
Hundreds of thousands Bhutto lovers including senior party leaders have started reaching Larkana, Naudero and Garhi Khuda Bukhsh Bhutto to attend the anniversary.
Thousands of people could be seen standing in queues to visit the final rest place of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and his martyred daughter Shaheed Benazir Bhutto along with martyred sons Shahnawaz and Murtaza Bhutto.
As Chairperson Pakistan Peoples Party Shaheed Bhutto (PPP-SB) Ghinwa Bhutto is also going to address a public meeting on Saturday morning, the workers of both factions from the interior of Sindh, Punjab, NWFP, Balochistan and Azad Kashmir are reaching the town in caravans.
Party leaders including Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Faryal Talpur, Central Secretary General Jahangir Badr, Raza Rabbani, Ch Ahmed Mukhtar, Salman Taseer, Baber Awan, Speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar Khuhro, Qasim Zia, Rehman Malik, Speaker National Assembly Fehmida Mirza, Chairman Senate Farooq H Naek, Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Agha Siraj Durrani and other MNAs and MPAs are among those prominent personalities who are present at Garhi Khuda Bux Bhutto.
The anniversary programs starting late night will continue till the Saturday evening. On the occasion, a video documentary was also displayed during the public meeting at the native village of Bhuttos, which was accompanied by speeches of various senior party leaders. PPP also arranged a mushahira to pay tribute to their martyred leader. Different wings of the party also organised candle and torch bearing rallies.
All party workers and leaders observed two minutes silence at 2.05 am during the public meeting. As the report is being filed, sources say after the CEC meeting President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will also address the gathering.