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Published 28 Dec, 2009 12:00am

Benazir`s death anniversary observed

RAWALPINDI, Dec 27 The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) on Sunday observed the second death anniversary of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

The anniversary was observed simply and the local PPP leaders had been advised to avoid making fiery speeches in respect of the month of Muharram. Federal ministers including Babar Awan and Najmuddin Khan were among those who visited Liaquat Bagh where Ms Bhutto was assassinated on December 27, 2007, after a public rally.

Some angry activists of People's Student Federation (PSF) on the occasion burnt tyres as a protest against the government's failure to arrest the killers of Ms Bhutto. However, they were cooled down by PPP leaders.

Law Minister Dr Babar Awan on the occasion said the UN commission would complete its investigation into the assassination of Ms Bhutto by March, adding the government was on track to pursue the mission of the slain PPP leader.

Women, children and supporters of PPP gathered in front of the portraits of Ms Bhutto and offered Fateha for her soul and later lit candles as a tribute to their assassinated leader.

PPP supporters, who had come from other cities, broke into tears as they recalled the tragic assassination of Ms Bhutto.

Liaquat Bagh has historically served as a place of political rallies and rousing speeches; however its history is also stained by political murders of two former prime ministers - Liaquat Ali Khan on October 16, 1951, and Benazir Bhutto on December 27, 2007.

The government plans to build Benazir Monument at Liaquat Bagh, however, so far no breakthrough has been made in this regard.

APP adds Liaquat Bagh was combed by law enforcement agencies and bomb disposal squad, and the venue remained closed for general public throughout the day in connection with the death anniversary of Ms Bhutto.

The police had taken strict security arrangements around the park and all those coming to attend the death anniversary of Ms Bhutto were searched at three different places before they were allowed to proceed for Quran Khwani.

About half a kilometre of Liaquat Road also remained closed for all types of traffic.

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