FAISALABAD, Feb 13: Asif Ali Zardari, the co-chairman of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and spouse of assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, will resume the party's electioneering campaign in Punjab province by addressing a public meeting at Dhobi Ghaat ground here on Thursday (today).

Slain Benazir had graced this venue with start of her political career by delivering her maiden speech in 1979 during the incarceration of former prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto by General Ziaul Haq's martial-law regime, Nayyar Hassan Dar, former PPP Overseas Wing office-bearer, told Dawn.

During his political career, Zaradari will be addressing first election rally in this textile capital of the country. Earlier, he visited the city when he was caretaker minister for environment in 1993.

It may be a coincidence or an outcome of PPP's proper planning that both Benazir and Zardari selected Faisalabad for their party's electioneering just four days before the polling day.

Earlier, Benazir was scheduled to visit here on Jan 4, just four days before the general elections scheduled for Jan 8, and now Zardari will be speaking to the grief-stricken PPP workers just four days before the rescheduled polling day on Feb 18.

Instead of welcoming Benazir, PPP workers offered her symbolic funeral prayer at the same venue on Dec 29 and their massive plans to accord a rousing welcome to their former PPP chairperson were obliterated by the Dec 27 Liaquat Bagh carnage.

Though Benazir is no more there, her party workers are to accord a tremendous welcome to her spouse similar to that she received herself when she visited the city after wrapping up her exile in 1986 and spoke to a large number of people at the same venue.Police have taken strict security measures and beside officials of the district government, Rangers personnel have also visited the venue to review security arrangements.

A police officer said that all roads leading to the venue would be sealed and the whole area would be cordoned off. He said that thousands of policemen would man the venue in uniform as well as in civvies while media personnel had also been issued special security cards.

Talking to Dawn, former Punjab PPP secretary-general Rana Aftab Ahmed said the people were very fervent and would turn up in thousands to pay homage to their slain leader. He said that the meeting would show how much the party was popular among the masses and it would also be an eye-opener for the PML-Q.

Meanwhile, activists of People's Youth Organisation took out a torch-bearing rally from in front of Zila Council Hall on Wednesday night. The participants concluded their candlelit journey at the same place after marching few hundred yards on the dual carriageway.