Benazir’s life through the eye of camera
ISLAMABAD, July 11: An exhibition of photographs of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto opened at Marriot Hotel on Friday, showcasing glimpses of her family life as well as capturing moments through her political journey.
Some 400 photographs by photojournalist Waqar Zaidi and some from the archives and private collections adorned the walls of the Crystal Ball Room.
From early black and white images of years as an Oxford University student till her final moments at her last public address at Liaquat Bagh, the collection documented major public and family events of Benazir’s life.
Among some early immortal feats were Ms Bhutto’s meetings with world leaders like Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, her engagements with Lords in the British parliament, a reception with Sonia Gandhi and her recent get-togethers with Nawaz Sharif in London.
The photographs also showed her meeting various people like Shazia, a rape victim, and visiting a motorcycle factory.
In black and white as well as coloured impressions, Ms Bhutto is seen on her wedding day and with her children and husband Asif Ali Zardari.
But probably the most fascinating are reflections from her final public rally, right from her arrival at Liaquat Bagh and her address to Ms Bhutto’s final wave to her supporters and then the horrific scenes of the explosion.
PPP workers and viewers from different walks of life visited the display hall. Beautiful flowers lay at the bottom of several photographs of Benazir Bhutto. Many stood by them for their photographs to be taken.
Several political figures spoke on the occasion and paid their tributes.