Thousands of Pakistanis Mourn Bhutto 3 Years After Assassination

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Thousands of Pakistanis have gathered at the grave of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in southern Pakistan to mourn her on the third anniversary of her assassination.

On Monday, loyalists paid tribute to Bhutto at a mausoleum containing her remains in the village of Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, reciting prayers and chanting slogans.

She was assassinated in a gun and suicide bomb attack on December 27, 2007 while campaigning in the city of Rawalpindi. Bhutto was running as leader of the opposition Pakistan People’s Party in national elections.

In a speech to mourners gathered in the village, Bhutto’s widower, President Asif Ali Zardari, pledged allegiance to her democratic legacy. He said the government led by his Pakistan People’s Party seeks to complete the five-year term it began in 2008 and hold free and fair elections after that period.

Pakistani officials also promised Monday to publicize the results of their investigation into Bhutto’s killing in the near future. No one has been charged with the murder.

Pakistani authorities arrested two former police officers last week for alleged dereliction of duty in connection with the incident.

A U.N. panel issued a report in April accusing the government of then-Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf of failing to provide adequate security for Bhutto.

Commemorations of the anniversary were held in several other Pakistani cities. Bhutto supporters lit candles in the capital Islamabad and gathered for outdoor prayers in nearby Rawalpindi.

VOA

The VOA is the Voice of America

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