This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/7232010.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Bhutto mourners vow poll revenge | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Supporters of Pakistan's assassinated former PM Benazir Bhutto have ended a 40-day period of mourning for her by pledging to win this month's elections. | |
Her widower and political heir, Asif Ali Zardari, addressed a crowd of thousands at the Bhutto family mausoleum in Sindh province. | |
He said he was ready to be "martyred" to fulfil Ms Bhutto's "mission". | |
Police say they have arrested two people linked to the suicide attack on Ms Bhutto in Rawalpindi in December. | |
The two suspects were described by the police as "facilitators". | |
Video footage of the attack suggests Ms Bhutto was targeted by a suicide bomber and a gunman. | |
At least 20 other people died in the attack on the election rally in Rawalpindi and several more were hurt. | |
After Thursday's ceremony, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), which Ms Bhutto led, is expected to start campaigning for elections due to take place on 18 February. | |
'Best revenge | 'Best revenge |
Ms Bhutto's widower, Asif Ali Zardari, whom she named in her political will as her political heir, addressed thousands of mourners gathered at the family's mausoleum in the village of Garhi Khuda Baksh. | |
Benazir Bhutto was killed on the campaign trail | |
"If I am martyred before completing the mission of Benazir Bhutto, then I should also be buried here," he said. | |
People arrived in groups and caravans from all over the country for the prayer service. | |
"We spent three days to reach here on foot," party supporter Mushtaq Ali said. | "We spent three days to reach here on foot," party supporter Mushtaq Ali said. |
Many spent the night in tents outside the white marble mausoleum, chanting Koranic verses and listening to recordings of mourning songs. | |
"We have to win this election - in our leader's words, democracy is the best revenge," a mourner Nabi Bux Kalhoro told the AFP news agency. | "We have to win this election - in our leader's words, democracy is the best revenge," a mourner Nabi Bux Kalhoro told the AFP news agency. |
Truce offer | |
Earlier this week, the Pakistan People's Party released Ms Bhutto's political will in which she backs her husband to be party leader. | Earlier this week, the Pakistan People's Party released Ms Bhutto's political will in which she backs her husband to be party leader. |
Mr Zardari is currently in charge of the party. Their 19-year-old son Bilawal is the titular head. | Mr Zardari is currently in charge of the party. Their 19-year-old son Bilawal is the titular head. |
Ms Bhutto's killing led to a six-week delay to parliamentary elections. | Ms Bhutto's killing led to a six-week delay to parliamentary elections. |
President Pervez Musharraf has said the elections would be "free, fair and transparent". | |
Mr Musharraf recently stepped down as military leader and the election is seen as a test of his democratic credentials. | |
Separately, a truce has been declared by militants allied to the man Mr Musharraf's government accuses of ordering Ms Bhutto's killing. | |
Pro-Taleban guerrillas loyal to a local tribal leader, Baitullah Mehsud, announced a voluntary ceasefire on Wednesday, reportedly saying they were prepared to negotiate with the government. | |
The militants have been fighting Pakistani troops from their stronghold in a semi-autonomous region of the country, bordering Afghanistan. |