Friday, December 28, 2007

Benazir Bhutto's Funeral Arrangements

Benazir's body to be shifted to Larkana today

Zardari, kids back home to attend funeral | Govt tightens security in city

The Post Report

LARKANA: Benazir Bhutto's body would be brought today (Friday) to Larkana for burial besides her father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's grave in Garrhi Khuda Bukhsh. The graves of Shahnawaz Bhutto and Mir Mutraza Bhutto, brothers of Benazir, are also there. Many of Benazir's close relatives might not attend her funeral.

Her body would be brought here by a special flight to Moenjodaro Airport, Larkana, and from there it would be carried to Garrhi Khuda Bukhsh. Many of Benazir's close relatives including Nusrat Bhutto (her mother), Ganwa Bhutto (sister-in-law), Fatima (niece), Zulfiqar Junior (nephew) and Sassi Bhutto (the daughter of Shahnawaz, Benazir's brother) might not attend her funeral.

Begum Nusrat Bhutto, her mother, has been bed-ridden since a long time. Mumtaz Bhutto, her uncle, had long been having hostility with Benazir and therefore, he too might not attend the ceremony considering the emotional condition of Benazir's supporters. The chances of Shahnawaz's daughter attending the funeral are also bleak.

Sanam Bhutto (Benazir's sister) and her daughter Marvi Bhutto have already left London and they would try their best to attend Benazir's funeral.

Hakam Ali Zardari, father-in-law of Benazir, fell unconscious upon hearing the news of Benazir's death and was admitted to Nawabshaw Hospital. He, according to the sources, would attend the funeral. Her Husband Sardar Asif Ali Zardari and kids Bilawal, Bakhtawar and Assefa arrived in Islamabad and proceeded to the Chaklala airbase from where the body of Benazir Bhutto would be flown to her ancestral village.

The federal government, after the death of Benazir Bhutto, has issued directives for foolproof security arrangements in the city. According to reports, the police and Rangers are already on duty in the city to avoid any untoward incident.

The government is expecting the arrival of world leaders who will be attending the burial of the late prime minister. The federal government is trying to arrange meeting of foreign leaders with Ms Butto's spouse in Karachi as the local population can react against the killing of the former prime minister.

The PPP leadership received a large number of condolence calls from the world leaders. The janitors have started cleaning the residence of Ms Bhutto at Nodero.

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