LARKANA: Stage is set to observe the 46th death anniversary of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) founder leader and executed prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto on Friday (April 4) in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto amidst extraordinary security measures.

Over 8,500 police personnel – led by 30 SSPs, four ASPs and 60 DSPs – backed by paramilitary Rangers personnel as well as other security agencies’ personnel were being deployed at and around the venue and along the routes leading to it. Additionally, officers and personnel of the Traffic Police will be there to regulate vehicular traffic on the occasion where hundreds of thousands of people from across the country are expected to pay homage to their leader.

A control room has been established within the area to supervise the overall security and ensure safety of participants.

A huge stage has been prepared for PPP and other leaders whereas temporary camps have been set up in the main front portion of the venue for close relatives of Bhuttos and prominent political figures.

Over 8,500 policemen, backed by Rangers and intelligence personnel, being deployed for today’s programme

The Larkana SSP has issued an extensive traffic regulating plan with a map showing designated parking areas for the vehicles coming from different routes.

District health officials have planned setting up of a camp for emergency medical assistance within the venue.

Over 80 walkthrough gates were being installed to check weapons or explosives while the participants would pass through them after getting frisked before being allowed into the venue. Close Circuit TV (CCTV) cameras were being installed in and around the venue to keep a strict check on subversive elements and ensure peaceful holding of the programme.

The entire venue of has been decorated with PPP’s tricolour flags, banners as well as portraits of party leaders.

PPP sources said that more than 1,000 diehard PPP workers have volunteered to perform security duties along with the uniformed personnel.

MPA Jamil Soomro, the political secretary to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, told the media on Thursday that besides hundreds of caravans coming from every nook and corner of the country, foreign delegates would also participate in the event.

He confirmed that the party’s chairman and other senior leaders would address the participants. He said that the anniversary programme would formally start at 6pm.

Home minister reviews security arrangements

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar on Thursday presided over a meeting of senior police officers at Larkana SSP’s office to review the security arrangements made for the programme. Larkana DIG Nasir Aftab briefed the meeting about the overall security measures and deployment. The minister said that inter-districts coordination should also be strengthened and all routes leading to Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto should be kept cleared. Security personnel in civvies should be deployed in and around the Bhuttos’ Mausoleum and the intelligence gathering and sharing should be made foolproof, the minister said.

He asked the police officers to ensure a strict check on movement of people at all the entry and exit points of Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto. SSPs, DSPs and SHOs must ensure their presence in the field and keep monitoring the security situation, he added.

Sindh PPP President Nisar Ahmed Khuhro along with ministers Saeed Ghani, Syed Nasir Shah, Mukesh Kumar Chawala and other party leaders on Thursday inspected the stage and reviewed the overall arrangements for the programme.

PPP-SB event

Meanwhile, The Pakistan Peoples Party-Shaheed Bhutto (PPP-SB) leader Zilfiqar Junior has announced that his party and supporters would hold a public meeting at Jinnah Bagh gate in Larkana on Friday to mark Z.A. Bhutto’s death anniversary. He said he and leaders of the opposition Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) would address the participants.

Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2025