PPP hits hard at PML-N, Musharraf on Benazir’s 10th death anniversary

LARKANA - On the 10th death anniversary of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said his party will continue its struggle for the freedom of judiciary.

"Our party will continue working for the judiciary’s freedom," Bilawal said while addressing a rally in Gari Khuda Baksh to observe his mother’s death anniversary.

Hitting hard at political rivals and the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), he said the government is responsible for the financial murder of Pakistan’s farmers and workers, the Geo News reported.

“Today, a conspiracy is being hatched to destroy every institution of the country, the economy has been destroyed, and efforts are being made to distance the smaller provinces from the centre,” the 29-year-old said.

Bilawal maintained that Benazir was punished for establishing a peaceful side of Islam, fighting dictatorship, fighting terrorists, protecting democracy, establishing the supremacy of the constitution, fighting for the rights of oppressed citizens, and giving the women of this country their due rights.

"You [Benazir] were punished for your courage, strength, and undying love for the nation," he said, as the entire podium, including Aseefa Bhutto Zardari and Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari chanted ‘Qatil qatil Musharraf qatil’ (murderer, murderer Musharraf is a murderer).

Earlier in the day, Bilawal said that Pervez Musharraf directly threatened late Benazir and told that her security was based on the state of relationship with him.

In an interview to BBC, Bilawal held the former military dictator personally responsible for the murder of his mother.

"Musharraf exploited this entire situation to assassinate my mother," he said. "He purposely sabotaged her security so that she would be assassinated and taken off the scene."

He added that he doesn’t hold the man who fired the bullet at his late mother responsible for her murder on the evening of December 27 at Liaquatbagh ground in Rawalpindi.

“We have not forgotten your promises,” Bilawal said while referring to his mother at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh. "Our spirits get disoriented while remembering you on your tenth death anniversary."

Bilawal’s father and former president Asif Ali Zardari also addressed the party workers. "Just like you have issues with us, we have issues with you as well. You have always backstabbed us. This time we will not support you," the PPP co-chairman said in an apparent reference to the ruling PML-N.

Zardari also rejected talk of any NRO in the future and said the party will not accept another compromise.

"We spend 12 years in jail while you spend a few months and then get to sign an NRO and attain your freedom. That will not happen again. We reject and NRO in the future," said the former president.

Zardari said he will be cautious in running the party and will always use politics for the betterment of the people.

“I consider every worker my child. Benazir did the same and used to cry for her workers,” said the former president.

Other party leaders including Yousuf Raza Gilani, Nasir Ahmed Khuhro and Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah are attending the rally which, according to organisers, attracted more than a million party supporters and workers.