RAWALPINDI, April 4: The Pakistan Peoples Party on Sunday observed the 25th death anniversary of former prime minister and the PPP founding chairman, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, reiterating its pledge never to bow down before any military or anti-democratic power.
A large number of PPP leaders, including MNAs Zamarud Khan and Fauzia Habib, and activists were present at the old jail where Mr Bhutto was hanged on April 4, 1979. The PPP activists highlighted the role played by Mr Bhutto for the revival of democracy and social justice in the country.
They said after 25 years of his death, the Bhutto factor was still an inspiring force in the political arena. They also termed the death of their party's founder political assassination.
The speakers criticized the ongoing accountability process and called for restoration of true democracy. The PPP, they said, had fought against two dictators in the past, adding that they would win their fight against the present general as well.
They said the country badly needed implementation of Bhutto's philosophy of democracy to solve the existing problems. The PPP leaders also demanded of the government to take back what they termed 'false cases' against Asif Ali Zardari, besides allowing the former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto, to return to the country.
A Reporter adds: The leaders and members of the PPP minority wing visited the old Rawalpindi jail site to observe the 25th death anniversary of the former prime minister, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The PPP minority wing president, Jibran Masih Gill, led prayers, which were participated by the office-bearers, workers and activists of the party.
Talking to the participants, Mr Gill said Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was the leader of such high stature that even his opponents could not help but praise him for his principles. "The whole nation is proud of Mr Bhutto, who made Pakistan a nuclear power, as a result of which now it stands tall in the comity of nations."
He said the Christian community in the country had complete faith and confidence in the leadership of Ms Benazir Bhutto. The community has made sacrifices for the party in the past and it would continue to do so in the future as well, he added.
Meanwhile, a Quran Khawani for late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was held at the PPP central secretariat in Islamabad on Sunday.A large number of PPP leaders, including Nargis Faiz Malik, MNA Zamurad Khan, Rukhsana Bangash, Fauzia Habib, Qazi Sultan Mehmood, Raja Shahid Zafar, Izhar Amrohvi and Javed Mir, attended the Quran Khawani.
