Dozens of camps were set up for the people who were arriving on the eve of the commemoration.

"I visit this mausoleum with my family at least on two annual occasions (April 4 and December 27)," says Ashraf Pawli, a resident of Muzaffargadh district, Punjab.

For Ashraf these visits reinforce his and his family's bonding with the Bhutto family and the Pakistan Peoples Party whom he believes to be the hope for Pakistan's future.

However, unlike the commemorative ceremonies over the last many years, this occasion means much more to Ashraf and many other staunch supporters as the son of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto will formally launch himself in politics and will lead the election campaign.

"To have Bilawal Bhutto Zardari lead the party through the election will reinvigorate the workers who are poised to see the blood of Bhuttos at the helm of the party," said Munawar Kakar, a local leader of the PPP from Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.