RAWALPINDI:
Some of the families of 27 activists, who lost their lives in the shooting and suicide attack along with former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on December 27, 2007, have left the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) due to ignorance of the party leadership and their respective governments.
Some of them have joined the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), while other families are still in the PPP. However, most of them have withdrawn from political activities due to continuous neglect.
Anniversary prayers were organized in the homes of these martyred workers. Hamza Raza, son of late PPP activist Rafiq Raza, whose family left the PPP to join the PTI, says the PPP government had announced in 2008 that it would provide plots, employment and financial assistance, but failed to fulfill its promise. The local PPP leadership also forgot his father’s sacrifice and left, he added.
Mrs Javed, wife of martyr Sheikh Javed, also complains of being sidelined despite repeated announcements of financial help. The families of the victims say that the party does not take care of them even on the days of Eid.
On the other hand, the families of the murdered Raja Amin, Siraj Khan, Mumtaz Ahmed, Muhammad Habib and Ghaus support the PPP, but avoid speaking openly about their “grievances”.
The families of the martyrs regret that no party leader reaches their graves or visits their homes to pay condolences on this death anniversary. They still recognize Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as their leader and declare him the savior of Pakistan.
Muhammad Akhtar Saeed Bappa, Hasnain Ashraf, Mian Altaf Butt, Haji Khalid, Raja Riaz and Uzair Butt, injured in the December 27 tragedy, are still crying remembering the tragedy and martyrdom of Benazir Bhutto.
PPP leader Nasir Mir says that the families of the martyrs have received financial support from the PPP, but with the passage of time, the PPP should take the responsibility of sponsoring the families of these martyrs.
Everything ready for the 17th anniversary of the death
Separate anniversary prayer ceremonies will be held today (Friday) at the homes and graves of all the martyred workers and their slain leader Benazir Bhutto. The families of 27 PPP workers will spend this day once again remembering their grieving loved ones as their wounds grow fresh.
Preparations for the 17th anniversary of his death have continued for several days. PPP flags have been hoisted at the houses of these martyrs along with photographs of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto and Bilawal Bhutto.
Families will once again shed tears in memory of their loved ones after remembering the terrible incident of the Liaquat Bagh tragedy.
Relatives of the slain PPP activists have started making arrangements three days in advance to recite the Holy Quran, visit their graves and prepare food of their choice on the anniversary.
