LARKANA, June 21 People's Party leaders and activists across Sindh observed the 56th birth anniversary of slain PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto on Sunday by donating blood for the army jawans fighting against terrorists and for the injured people in the affected areas of the NWFP.

The People's Doctors Forum managed blood camps.

In Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, the occasion was observed with simplicity and amid tight security.

A large number of people visited the village of the Bhuttos to pay tributes to their leadership. People in the sweltering heat were allowed inside the mausoleum only after passing through scanning gates.

Right from the ambassador of Pakistan to the UAE, Khursheed Junejo, to the worker of a union council level turned up to participate in the events held to observe the birthday anniversary. No cake was cut on the occasion.

People kept pouring in amid slogans 'Zinda Hai BB Zinda Hai', 'Kal Bhi Bhutto Zinda Tha, Aaj Bhi Bhuto Zinda Hai' and 'Qadam Barhao Bilawal, Ham Tumhary Sath Hain'.

The day started with the recitation of the Holy Quran and Naat. A large number of people offered Fateha and laid wreaths on the grave of Benazir Bhutto. Food was distributed on the occasion.

A blood camp was established where over 69 party leaders and workers including Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Sindh Assembly Speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Provincial Minister Nadir Ali Magsi and local PPP leader Dr Shafqat Soomro donated blood.

Another function was held at the camp office of the President House in Naduero where President Asif Ali Zardari donated blood and spoke to a select gathering amid beefed-up security.

The Larkana Press Club late on Saturday night organised a function to mark the birth anniversary.

Mr Khuhro presided over the function where former federal information minister Sherry Rehman, Sharmilla Farooqi, adviser to Sindh chief minister, and MPA Haji Munwwar Ali Abbasi were guests of honour.

No cake was cut, but 56 candles were lit to start proceedings.

Speaking on the occasion, PPP leaders paid tributes to the leadership of Ms Benazir Bhutto and underlined the need for accomplishing her mission. Their speeches highlighted Benazir's political acumen, courage, talent, leadership qualities and her attachment with workers.

In Hyderabad, a blood camp was set up at the district council park where 556 PPP activists donated blood.

Early in the day, hundreds of the PPP women wing activists held a demonstration outside the press club to mark the birth anniversary.

Sindh Minister for Fisheries Zahid Ali Bhurgari and other local leaders spoke on the occasion and eulogised the services and supreme sacrifice of Benazir Bhutto for the cause of democracy and the downtrodden masses.

However, a large number of women were later left outside the press club. They told reporters that the leaders had promised that Benazir Bhutto Income Support Cards would be given to them, but they had disappeared after the speeches.

Sindh Secretary Culture and Tourism Shams Jafrani inaugurated a portrait exhibition of Benazir Bhutto at the Sindh Museum where artists from different parts of the province displayed their work.

In parts of the city, tableaux were also presented and the faqirs of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai rendered the poetry of the great Sufi poet.

In Khairpur, a blood donation camp was organised at Phool Bagh

In Naushahro Feroze district, the birth anniversary of Benazir Bhutto was observed in Moro, Naushahro Feroze, Tharu Shah, Bhirya, Kandiaro, Mehrabpur, Mithiani, Padidan, Darya Khan Mari and other towns of the district.

In Thatta district, PPP leaders and activists donated blood at the camps set up in Thatta, Mirpur Sakro, Gharo, Sujawal, Mirpur Bathoro.

Provincial ministers Sassui Palijo, Abdul Jalil Memon and former MNA Baboo Ghulam Hussain donated blood in those camps.

In Umerkot, Provincial Minister Syed Ali Mardan Shah and 200 activists donated blood, lit candles and offered Fateha for Benazir.

In Dadu, a blood donation camp was established at Civil Hospital. Federal State Minister for Food and Agriculture Rafique Ahmed Jamali, Sindh Education Minister Pir Mazharul Haq and a large number of PPP activists donated blood.

In Mithi, in addition to donating blood, activists held Quran Khawani and distributed langar (free food) on the occasion.

In Mirpurkhas district, 25 blood camps were set up where PPP workers, office-bearers and people donated blood.

Our Sukkur correspondent adds Blood donation camps were established in different cities and towns of upper Sindh on Sunday to mark the anniversary.

PPP leaders, workers and people from different walks of life donated blood at the camps in Sukkur, Rohri, Pano Akil, Ghotki, Mirpur Mathelo, Daharki, Ubauro, Thul, Kandhkot, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Khairpur and other parts of upper Sindh.

In Sukkur, four camps were set up at Civil Hospital, Sukkur Blood Bank, Hira Medical Centre and Teer Chowk. Federal Minister for Labour Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah and MNA Nauman Islam Shaikh inaugurated the camps by donating blood. Later, hundreds of PPP workers and people from all shades of life donated blood.

In Jacobabad, Federal Minister for Health Aijaz Jakhrani inaugurated a camp at Civil Hospital by donating blood. MPA Ghulam Mohammad Shahaliani and MPA Aisha Khoso also donated blood.

According to reports, four persons, including two women, fainted during donating blood, due to extreme hot weather and power outage.

Dozens of women coming to donate blood were sent back because they were suffering from Hepatitis-B and C.