Ninth anniversary of deadly Karsaz bombing today

KARACHI: The ninth anniversary of deadly bombing targeting the welcome parade of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto at Karsaz area of Karachi is being observed across the country on Tuesday (today), ARY News reported.

A mammoth rally of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) workers had gathered on the streets of Karachi on 18th October, 2007 to welcome the former chairman Benazir Bhutto to the country from self exile.

The joyous occasion turned into a sight of sorrow when the rally of thousands political workers was hit by twin bomb blasts at Karachi’s Karsaz area.

Around 177 people, mostly PPP supporters lost their lives and over 600 were injured in the incident whereas Bhutto remained unscathed in the deadly attack. ARY News cameraman Arif Khan also lost his life in the incident while fulfilling his professional responsibilities.

The federal government of former military dictator General (retd.) Pervez Musharraf came under scathing criticism over insufficient security provided to the popular national leader and former prime minister. Benazir Bhutto later died in another terrorist attack while she was leaving Liaquat Bagh of Rawalpindi after addressing an election rally on December 27, 2007.

On the next morning of Karsaz attack, Benazir Bhutto reached PPP stronghold Lyari to visit the grieving families who lost their loved ones in the attack.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto on October 16, led a rally to honour the victims of the deadly Karsaz incident which is being commemorated as a landmark of Pakistan’s march to the path of democracy. The party is holding events for the past three days to mark the tragedy.