PPP aims massive show at Liaquat Bagh today.

Byline: SHAFQAT ALI

ISLAMABAD -- The PPP aims a massive show at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi today (December 27) where 12 years ago the charismatic Benazir Bhutto - a two-time Prime Minister: was assassinated in a gun-and-bomb attack.

PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Benazir Bhutto's son, will address the party workers at the site which is expected to attract large crowds.

Yesterday, the Lahore High Court allowed the PPP to hold the rally at Liaquat Bagh to mark the death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto who was assassinated on December 27, 2007, during an election rally.

Rawalpindi district administration had earlier refused to give permission. Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Saifullah Dogar cited police and the Special Branch as opposing a public gathering at the venue owing to prevailing security situation.

The same administration had arranged security for a much-awaited international cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka only a few days ago. The match was aimed at showing the world that Pakistan was now a safe country for any positive activity.

The PPP later filed a petition with the LHC challenging the decision. The court said that it was the responsibility of all law-enforcement agencies to provide security to Bilawal: the PPP Chairman. Benazir Bhutto served as Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1988 to 1990 and again from 1993 to 1996. She was the first woman to head a democratic government in a Muslim majority nation.

Every year, the PPP holds a public meeting or rally to mark Benazir Bhutto's death anniversary.

This year, however, the day has assumed more significance as Chairman of the party and Benazir Bhutto's son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari selected the same venue for the public meeting where his mother was assassinated.

Following the court order, police reached the Liaquat Bagh to monitor the preparations where a large number of PPP workers and district officials had been busy in making arrangements to mark their leader's death anniversary. PPP leaders including Senator Sherry Rehman, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Dr Nafisa Shah, Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmed and others have been leading the preparation for the rally.

Sherry Rehman, the PPP Vice President, said that the rally will be historic as this would be Bilawal's first public address after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto at her assassination site. It was not any easy decision to come here, she said.

There are no good memories as the incident is fresh in our...