LARKANA, Feb 6: Braving the coldest weather in years and throwing caution to the wind devoted followers of Benazir Bhutto reached Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto in thousands, many on foot, to pay respects to their beloved leader on her ‘chehlum’ (the 40th day after death). Ms Bhutto was killed in a suicide attack in Rawalpindi on Dec 27 last year.

Their love for the Bhuttos proved stronger than their sense of adherence to party instructions. The Pakistan People’s Party had issued explicit directives to the district leadership to observe Benazir’s chehlum at district level and had not organised a central ceremony to mark the solemn event.

“Our love and respect for our beloved leader did not let us stay home on the day of her chehlum and we just set out on foot from Thari Mir Wah to Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto,” said Parvez Hajano, who led a group of 200 youngsters.

A group in white overalls and caps inscribed with “Shahdat Hamari Manzil” (martyrdom our goal), comprising devotees from Jhang, Moro and Sukkur said: “We are ready to lay down our lives as our leader did. And this white cloth which is a symbol of burial shroud shows our willingness to offer sacrifices for the cause.”

They said they travelled on foot for six days to reach the last resting place of their beloved leader.

Sardar Fakhruzaman, leader of opposition in Azad Jummu and KashmirAssembly who arrived here with a large delegation, said that Benazir’s death was a colossal loss to Kashmir cause.

“We, Kashmiris, feel as if our beloved family member has died. Asif Zardari saved Pakistan when he said ‘Pakistan Khappay’ (We need Pakistan) and I trust he will keep the party intact,” he said.

Yasin Lakho, a poor daily-wager has walked on foot to Garhi Khuda Bakhsh from Ahmedpur, a town which has a history of unconditional support for Pir Pagaro. He believed the fresh wave of sympathy triggered by the assassination of Ms Bhutto would wash away Syed Sadaruddain Shah, Pir Pagaro’s son and former provincial minister, in elections.

“I am a simple daily-wager having nothing to do with politics but it is my honest opinion that PPP’s opponents will face crushing defeat,” he said.

Kashif who runs a book store outside the shrine said that people were purchasing books on Benazir Bhutto and Bhutto ideology like never before.

Manzoor Leghari who sells flowers said that on all days since the death of Benazir Bhutto, the number of people visiting the shrine was in thousands.

The party had erected tents in the village for serving food to visitors. Aijaz Leghari, who takes care of visitors to the shrine, said the number of people on chehlum was more than 10,500.He said that mystic singers would sing Sufi Rag at the shrine during the night. The key function would begin with Quran Khwani followed by Naa’t and papers and speeches by top party leaders, he said.

PPP leaders Anwar Bhutto, Dr Shafqat Soomro and Aijaz Leghari were looking after security arrangements on the day with the help of 600 volunteers, he said.

Three roads leading to the village were sealed a kilometre from the shrine as a security measure. Around 2,000 personnel of police from five districts and two police training centres had been called in for security, said Larkana DPO Ghulam Rasool Domki.

Meanwhile, Mumtaz Ali Bhutto announced he would hold a separate ‘chehlum’ on Feb 7 in Mirpur Bhutto.