Overview
- Thousands gathered at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh for the central PPP event, where President Asif Ali Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Aseefa Bhutto Zardari led tributes to the slain former prime minister.
- A government delegation led by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq attended on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s instructions, as the premier and other officials issued messages honoring Benazir Bhutto’s legacy.
- Bilawal Bhutto Zardari called for resolving political polarization through reconciliation and pressed for greater fiscal roles for provinces, including tax collection and taking over certain federal utilities.
- Authorities enforced tight security at memorial sites, with more than 10,000 police, walk-through gates and CCTV at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, while Sindh observed a province-wide public holiday.
- Addressing supporters, President Zardari reaffirmed Benazir Bhutto’s inclusive democratic vision and warned India that Pakistan would respond decisively to any aggression.