Local PPP workers took Pakistan's ambassador to US, Hussain Haqqani to task for not allowing display of banner of their slain leader Benazir Bhutto at an Iftar-dinner at a local hotel here on Friday. President Asif Ali Zardari attended the Iftar-dinner but did not address the participants mainly due to the uproar in the hall before he arrived.
"Benazir came to my house twice in the US and who are you to stop me from displaying the banner of her picture," one of the Jiyalas argued with Haqqani in a loud voice after which more than a dozen security personnel entered the hotel hall to rescue the ambassador and avert any untoward incident.
Most of the party workers were of the view that since the hotel administration had no objection to the display of banners on the walls, the ambassador had no right to oppose it.
When the situation worsened, Haqqani left the hall and was later seen arguing with the hotel management in favour of display of banners. The event was arranged at the hotel where the President is staying. It was attended by a large number of Pakistanis, mostly the Pakistan Peoples Party workers, who brought with them portraits of Benazir Bhutto and banners.
The hall resounded with slogans of "Jeay Bhutto", "Zinda hae Bibi zinda hae" and Aik Zardari Sab par Bhari' as soon as President Zardari arrived in the hall. He went to the tables, shook hands with the local leaders and workers and lauded their unflinching commitment to the party and its ideology. The emotional party workers presented him photographs of the late leader and gave him proposals on strengthening the party and improving its organisational matters.
The President who was accompanied by Information Minister Sherry Rehman and Finance Minister Naveed Qamar stayed with the community for some time before he left to attend his other engagements.
Commenting on the attitude of PPP workers, the ambassador said: "We have to now pay for damaging the walls of the hall. "One of the participants disclosed that the embassy would have to pay an extra $4000 for displaying banners in the hall.