Thousands of Pakistanis attend Benazir's Chehlum

Karachi, Feb 7 : Thousands of Pakistanis gathered at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh on Thursday to mourn the death of ex-premier Benazir Bhutto at the end of the Chehlum (40 days of mourning).

Addressing the gathering, Benazir's husband Asif Ali Zardari expressed fear that he would be assassinated like her wife.

"We will avenge Benazir's martyrdom in a democratic way," said Zardari, adding, "If I succeed, you will see me alive. If I am martyred like her, you will be the ones to take my coffin to the grave."

Many visitors, including women and children braved chilly winter and threat to their life to recite verses from the Holy Quran.

Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader from Sindh Nisar Khauro said that his party was not negotiating with the Pakistan Government, which according to them is responsible for Benazir's assassination on December 27.

The PPP would begin its official campaigning from Thursday for the February 18 parliamentary polls, the Dawn reported.

Heavy security arrangements were made the rituals.

ANI