LAHORE - Following the instructions of Pakistan Peoples Party Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari, party office-bearers at the central and the provincial level throughout the country paid richest tributes to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto on her 55th birthday by way of setting up blood bank camps and denoting bloods therein instead of celebrating the occasion by cutting cakes. Donating of blood - in the name of Ms Bhutto - marked the fact that the Party and workers were willing to sacrifice for the betterment of the country. This was against the customary celebrations, and it was the first birthday of the 'Martyr of Democracy' since she was not among her countrymen because of tragic death on December 27, 2007. The PA also offered Fateha, while everyone who spoke on the budget on Saturday, whether a PPP member or the Pakistan Muslim League (N), they paid glowing tributes to Bhutto. The PPP, under directives issued by Co-chairman Asif Zardari, had set up several blood donation camps in this regard. The largest blood collection was made at the Governor's House, while other places included PPP provincial secretariat Faisal Town, outside the Punjab Assembly, and other party offices. Office bearers of the Party, leaders of other organisations and common citizens also participated in the blood donation camps. The office holders of the party on this occasion vowed not to sit calm until the killers of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto are exposed and punished duly under the law. A blood bank camp in this connection was also set up at the provincial secretariat of the party at Faisal Town, where among others, central leader of the party Jahangir Badar also donated blood. Others who donated blood on the occasion include provincial general secretary Ghulam Abbas, additional general secretary Abdul Qadir Shaheen, information secretary peoples labour bureau Muhammad Saleem Mughal, general secretary Punjab Syed Khalid Bokhari, president PPP Lahore Malik Ihteshamul Hassan, PLF president Mian Hanif Tahir, Zulfiqar Ali Badar, Dilawar Butt, Zarqa Butt, Sheikh Muhammad Akram, and others. They donated more than 50 bottles of blood. The PPP leaders in their message asked others to donate blood to serve the humanity and to express their love and devotion with Shaheed leader of the party. Peoples Lawyers Forum Punjab also set up a blood donation camp where senior vice president of the forum Sardar Khurram Latif Khan Khosa, senior advocate Iqbal Gillani, advocate Sarfraz Anwar Khan, media coordinator KLC Hina Saeed advocate and others donated blood. Speaking on the occasion Sardar Khurram Latif Khan Khosa said the basic purpose behind the blood donation drive on the eve of Benazir Bhutto birthday was to enkindle the spirit of saving the life of others by contributing their bit to it, as she did to save the life of nation by giving her own sacrifice. He said Benazir Bhutto carved the way to democracy in the country through her blood and it was now duty of everyone to protect the same as a heritage of Benazir Bhutto. Meanwhile, the PPP leaders at a function held in connection with the birth anniversary of Benazir Bhutto, eulogised the services of the Shaheed leader terming her sacrifice a life to the nation. Abid Siddique, vice president PPP Lahore, said the persons like Benazir Bhutto are historic whom the world gets centuries after. He said BB laid down her life for the sake of democracy in Pakistan and her services for this noble cause will remain immutable and unmatchable. Benazir Bhutto was a true political heir of her father, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. By laying down her life for the poor and democracy in the country, she has left behind a message to remain steadfast before the dictator and never bow before him. He said Benazir was a lady of high character and morals whose mission was welfare and well-being of the poor. He said in order to accomplish her mission, the government must take steps to end dictatorship in the country, to promote democracy and provide relief to the poor from the existing price-hike and terrorism. Senior Minister, Raja Riaz Ahmad has said the Bhutto Family saga is filled with sacrifices and public service and in the whole of South Asia no other political family could claim of giving such sacrifices for the people and the motherland. He was talking to volunteers and political workers of Pakistan People's Party who came to donate blood at the blood camps arranged by the PPP in Lahore on the eve of first birthday of PPP leader and former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, held after her assassination last year. Raja Riaz appreciated the zeal of the volunteers and added that PPP would continue the journey of sacrifices, which was started by the martyr Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. Raja Riaz said PPP believed in the power of the people and it has brought the national politics out of drawing rooms to the public corridors and added the PPP maintained the supremacy of common man. He said the PPP has promoted the real democracy in Pakistan. He recalled that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto wrote a history of social, economic and political welfare by her continuous efforts and hard work. Senior Minister further said party workers 'Jialas' are real asset of the party who always offered sacrifices for the party and the nation. He urged the political workers to continue struggle to strengthen the democracy. He said blood donated by the people would be used to protect precious human lives. Similarly, democracy would protect the country, he added. He said that Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed was the dearest asset of Pakistan, whose services would be unforgettable all over the world. Raja Riaz later announced at the Punjab Assembly that he, accompanied by Finance Minister Tanvir Ashraf Kaira and Sports Minister Dr. Tanvir-ul-Islam had donated blood at the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital. Several memorial services were also held at different locations of the metropolis. Candle light vigil was held at Alhamra and food was distributed among the poor. The participants of the service, arranged by Art and Culture Welfare Council, maintained a one-minute silence at the occasion. Meanwhile, a blood bank camp under the aegis of Dr Ziaullah Khan Bungish, member federal council PPP, will be set up at Shad Bagh here on Sunday (today) to pay homage to Benazir Bhutto on the occasion of her 55th birth anniversary.