Senator Rehman Malik on Saturday confirmed that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Zardari would not return to Pakistan on the eighth death anniversary of his wife, former premier Benazir Bhutto, due to health problems.
Malik said that Zardari would return to Pakistan only after complete recovery from his illness. The PPP leader said that Zardari was so ill that he even offered Umrah on a wheel-chair.
He said Zardari is suffering from several diseases including diabetes.
Benazir was assassinated on December 27, 2007 at Liaquat National Bagh in Rawalpindi while campaigning ahead of general elections scheduled for 2008.
Meanwhile, the PPP has finalized all arrangements to observe Benazir Bhutto’s death anniversary to be observed on Sunday in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto.
To start with anniversary programmes, at 1pm there will be a public meeting which will be addressed by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and central party leaders.
A documentary, depicting life and achievements of Benazir Bhutto will also be shown on the occasion. Separate camps have been set-up to accommodate the leaders and workers coming from all the four provinces, besides, Gilgit-Biltistan, Northern areas and Azad Kashmir.