LAHORE, Feb 7 The city on Thursday prayed for the slain PPP leader Benazir Bhutto, with her party, lawyers and NGOs holding references and candlelit vigils.

The PPP organised references at all levels of national and provincial assembly constituencies, district, tehsil and union councils. The party leadership had asked local leaders told to remain in their constituencies and hold references at all levels. Haji Azizur Rehman Chan, Abdul Qadir Shaheen, Qasim Zia and Naveed Ch led the Lahore references.

Quran Khawani, prayers for the late Benazir Bhutto and pledges to “continue her mission” marked the occasion. One of the main reference sites was the party office at Faisal Town, where all the leaders pledged to “keep the party united at all costs” and frustrate all efforts to divide it.

The party leaders, who addressed the references, said that they would stick to the mission of Benazir Bhutto.

Another major reference in the morning was held at Bilawal House, which included Quran Khawani, prayers for the slain leader and pledges to protect the party unity and legacy of Benazir Bhutto.

Later in the evening, the party workers lit lamps in memory of their leader in different

parts of the city, with Naveed Ch leading main procession at Walton Road.

Talking to Dawn, Farzana Raja of the PPP said that all the leaders had been directed to stay at their places and hold references instead of going to Naudero. She said that references were planned at constituency, district, tehsil and union council level. In addition to that, individuals and organisations held countless references throughout the province.

CANDLELIT VIGIL Lawyers, representatives of NGOs and Labour Party organised a candlelit vigil at Charing Cross.

The participants chanted slogans, “Benazir charon subon ki zangeer, “Tum kitney Bhutto maro gey, her ghar sey Bhutto nikley ga” and “Bibi terey khoon sey inqilab aye ga”. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, the Women Action Forum and the Labour Party were prominent among the organisations which made an appearance at the vigil.

“We are here to honour her memory and protest her assassination,” said Neelam Husain, an activist who held a candle.

Abdullah Malik, the organiser of the event, said the vigil was arranged to remember a great leader whose assassination had created a void that would never be filled. “Through this event, we also want to make it clear to the government that we want restoration of the deposed judges and removal of all restrictions on judges and lawyers,” he said.

The policemen stood by and did not allow the passersby to roam around or participate in the vigil because of security purposes. Supreme Court Bar Association office-bearers Tariq Sohail and Azhar Siddique, Labour Party spokesman Farooq Tariq, Sardar Khurram Khosa and others were present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, film actress Meera held fateha at her Defense residence. A few prominent names from Lollywood, including directors Sangeeta and Javed Raza and choreographer Khanu Samrat, were also present.

In the drawing room a lifesize portrait of Benazir Bhutto was put on display with candles around. All people stood around the portrait and Javed Raza led the fateha.

Talking to Dawn, Meera said “I have no affiliation with any political party but Benazir was my favorite personality”. She said Benazir was a symbol of courage for women and her contribution towards a brighter Pakistan was of great value.