Victims of Karsaz tragedy remembered

ISLAMABAD: Special dua was offered here at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Thursday on the occasion of 5th anniversary of Karsaz incident for the victims of Karsaz tragedy, the martyrs of democracy and all those who laid down their lives while fighting against militants and extremists.

It may be recalled that five years ago on this day, the terrorist struck the convoy that was welcoming the former Prime Minister and the Chairperson of Pakistan Peoples Party Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.

The cowardly attack claimed around two hundred lives of innocent Party workers and wounded and maimed other hundreds of people.

President Asif Ali Zardari, officers and staff of Aiwan-e-Sadr participated in the Dua and prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls of Karsaz tragedy, the martyrs of democracy and those who have laid down their lives while fighting against militancy and extremists, including the personnel of armed forces, law enforcing agencies and civilians.

The participants prayed to Almighty Allah to shower His blessings on the martyrs.

Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Qaim Ali Shah along with others visited the monument "Shuhada-e-Karsaz" built in memory of the victims of twin blasts that attacked the welcome rally of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto on her arrival to Karachi on October 18, 2007.

The Sindh Ministers, office bearers of PPP Karachi Division and party workers were also present.

They also offered fateha for Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and all those party leaders and workers who sacrificed their lives for the cause of democracy.

Provincial ministers and PPP leaders including Agha Siraj Durrani, Muhammad Ayaz Soomro, Sharjeel Inam Memon, Haji Muzaffar Shujra, Abul Qadir Patel, Gul Muhammad Jakhrani, Senator Saeed Ghani, Rashid Hussain Rabbani and others were also present on the occasion.

Talking to media, the Sindh CM said that the party men had created a history on October 18 2007, of those who sacrificed their lives for the cause of democracy.

He said about 177 people embraced martyrdom while over 500 sustained injures in the twin blasts of Karsaz. Some of the injured of the Karsaz incident are still under treatment. The Sindh CM said we salute to the martyrs of Karsaz incident and help has been given to the families of the victims and more assistance will also be provided to them.