In Rawalpindi, party leaders and activists gathered at the site of martyrdom where a ceremony organized by the Peoples Youth Organization and Peoples Students Federation paid homage to Benazir Bhutto. Speakers praised her as a great leader who kept the light of democracy burning during dark periods of military rule, and they noted that despite imprisonment, exile and countless sacrifices she never retreated from the people’s right to govern.
Among those who addressed the gathering were Pakistan Peoples Party Punjab vice president Malik Khalid Nawaz Bobi, Raja Kamran Hussain, Malik Qasim Idrees, Numberdar Malik Inam, Adeel Butt, Abdulrehman Toukli, Malik Sabih Nawaz, Nadeem Qaiser, Malik Umar Ejaz, Adreesh Kazmi, Agha Saqib Riaz and Rashid Islam Butt. Their remarks reiterated the party’s continued devotion to the ideals that defined Benazir Bhutto’s political life.
A large turnout of party leaders and workers attended the event, including Raja Sikandar Mumtaz, Amir Abbasi, Mudassir Jilani, Chaudhry Abdulrehman Toukli, Raja Chingiz Khan, Adreesh Abbas, Shiraz Agha, Hamza Malik, Ali Malik and others, reflecting broad local support for the commemoration.
Speakers emphasized that Benazir Bhutto viewed disagreement as the strength of democracy and worked tirelessly to strengthen the parliamentary system. They said under her leadership Pakistan’s democratic voice gained greater global recognition and that her dream was a Pakistan where the rule of law applied equally, institutions were strong and citizens had access to basic services, with justice, public service and national cohesion at the center of policy.
The leaders recalled that Benazir Bhutto’s life was defined by struggle, passion and public service, and that she refused to compromise on democratic principles despite authoritarian pressures and extremist politics. They affirmed that the Pakistan Peoples Party under her guidance promoted popular politics and consistently championed the rights of the poor and the middle class.
The ceremony concluded with a collective prayer for the martyrs and distribution of langar among participants, as attendees renewed their commitment to uphold the values associated with Benazir Bhutto’s legacy.
