Islamabad  - Supporters of Pakistan's slain former prime minister Benazir Bhutto on Saturday observed her 55th birthday in ceremonies across the country.

"Martyred Bhutto is still alive. Even today, she stands with me, with you," her widower Asif Ali Zardari told a press conference after laying flowers at her grave and reciting verses from the Koran in her home town of Noudero.

Bhutto was assassinated in a gun and suicide attack on December 27 during an election rally in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, near capital Islamabad.

The former government blamed pro-Taliban tribal leader Baitullah Mehsud for the murder but he denied the allegations.

Bhutto's Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) formed a coalition government following February 18 polls, which it won mainly due to a wave of sympathy for the slain ex-premier.

The new government formally requested a United Nations-led inquiry into Bhutto's murder last month.

Parliament on Saturday observed a moment of silent to honour her.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani told the assembly that the government would build a monument in Liaqat Bagh, the place where she was attacked, and rename the hospital where she died after her.

Islamabad's international airport and a main road in Rawalpindi would also be renamed after the slain leader.

Though PPP, which is now led by Zardari, emerged as the largest party in the elections, its popularity is currently falling sharply.

A recent poll by two Washington-based think-tanks - New America Foundation and Terror Free Tomorrow - said public support for Bhutto's party has decreased by 5 per cent over the last five months, from 37 per cent in January to 32 per cent in June.

The survey results released on Friday also showed that the Pakistan Muslims League-Nawaz (PML-N) of another former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, is leading with 42 per cent support.

PML-N is expected to emerge a clear winner in a national election, according to the survey.

The main reason for PPP's downfall is apparently its hesitation in reinstating more than 60 senior judges deposed by President Pervez Musharraf under an emergency order late last year.

Contrary to Bhutto's party, PML-N, a staunch opponent of the retired army general, has enthusiastically advocated for the justices' return.

But Gilani said his government would accomplish Bhutto's mission for the "supremacy of the parliament, independence of judiciary, freedom of media" to ensure progress, prosperity and wellbeing of the people of Pakistan.

She openly denounced extremism and wanted Pakistan to be a centre of intellectual excellence, instead of becoming hostage to narrow identities that lead to extremism and militancy, he added. (dpa)