Musharraf murdered my mother: Bilawal

GARHI KHUDA BAKHSH: Pakistan People's Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday accused the former president Pervez Musharraf of being the 'killer' of his mother. "Musharraf is the murderer of my mother," he alleged, while addressing a rally in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh on the occasion of the 10th death anniversary of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

He also attached some blame of his mother's unresolved murder case to the judiciary, saying "the courts did not provide justice to his grandfather, mother, father and him ."The judiciary for whom "Benazir" struggled has not given us, the victims of terror and the missing persons justice." "O custodians of justice, please give justice to someone," he said. The PPP chairman said, however, his party will continue its struggle for the freedom of judiciary.

Bilawal said politics has fallen into the laps of hypocrites but said he rebels against the nexus of religion with politics. He said the PML-N government is responsible for the economic harships of farmers and labourers. They have created an economy that supports only the elite and the powerful. 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, he said.

The PPP chairman said terrorists continue to reign in the country. One day the prime minister declares that they have destroyed the terrorists and the places of worship and schools are safe and the very next day a church in Quetta is attacked, he said. He added the political leadership does not have the will to combat terrorism. Those who declared others as thieves have been identified for the biggest theft in the country, Bilawal said. He further said the people are proud of Benazir who was the leader of the oppressed people of Pakistan. "Your murderers are still playing Holi with the blood of innocent citizens." "Youth, innocent sons and daughters of the soil are being murdered today by the same people who are responsible for your murder," he said.

Bilawal said that Benazir was punished for promoting a peaceful side of Islam and for fighting dictatorship and terrorists, protecting democracy, establishing supremacy of the constitution, fighting for the rights of oppressed citizens, minorities and giving women 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 and Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari chanted "Qatil Qatil Musharraf Qatil" (murderer, murderer, Musharraf is a murderer). "Bibi Shaheed we have not forgotten your promises, Bilawal said.

Bilawal claimed the PPP is working hard to continue with Benazir's legacy."We've restored the 1973 Constitution in its original form which was distorted by dictators. "We have started the Benazir Income Support Programme, allotted state land to the poor farmers. We have also built hospitals for the free treatment of heart, kidney and liver diseases.”

Earlier, paying rich tribute to former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan Peoples Party co chairperson Asif Ali Zardari described Benazir as a visionary leader whose legacy would live on generations. Addressing a mammoth of crowd at Garhi Khuda Baksh, the former president warned his rivals that even though he tries not to indulge in the politics of vengeance, but he too has his limits.”There is a conspiracy going on,” but our philosophy teaches patience. “We have been patient, but I warn our rivals: do not push us to our limits. I will not forgive them. I will defeat them from Kashmir to Gilgit-Baltistan.”

Rejecting talks of any NRO being prepared for his rivals, Zardari said the party will not accept another compromise. Zardari vows strong opposition to any NRO prepared for his rivals.

Referring to PML N, Zardari said the PML-N always had issues with the PPP. “We will not support you this time as time and again you have back-stabbed us,” he asserted. He deplored the dual standards of justice in the country and said “we spent 12 years in jail and you [Nawaz Sharif] attained freedom after spending 12 days in the jail.” Concluding his address the former president reiterated that the real leader is Bilawal Bhutto.

Former prime minister Yousif Raza Gillani, Aitzaz Ahsan Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Nisar Khuhro also addressed the gathering. Strict security arrangements were made on the occasion. Earlier convoys of leaders and workers from Punjab and other provinces reached Larkana to attend the death anniversary of their martyred leader. A large number of PPP leaders and workers reached Garhi Khuda Baksh to visit the last abode, of the first Muslim woman prime minister, to pay respects.