RAWALPINDI: The local leaders of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Friday blamed a former chief justice of Pakistan, an intelligence agency and the outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for the party’s defeat in Punjab in the 2013 general elections.

“Former CJP Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, ISI’s political wing, PTI chairman Imran Khan, Jamaat-i-Islami emir Syed Munawar Hassan and the TTP played a pivotal role in breaking the vote bank of the PPP in Punjab,” said Sultan Mehmood Qazi, member of the party’s central executive committee.

He was talking to the media at a gathering held in Jinnah Park (old Rawalpindi jail) on the 35th death anniversary of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

He said the law enforcement agencies under a well-planned conspiracy barred the PPP candidates from holding public gatherings during the elections warning them that the TTP might launch suicide attacks on the processions of the PPP.

“On the other hand, the ruling party in Punjab ran fully-fledged electioneering and came to power,” Qazi said.

PPP city president Malik Amir Fida Paracha, Anjum Farooq Paracha, Raja Imran Ashraf, brother of former PM Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and women wing leader Sumera Gul were also present on the occasion.

Earlier, more than 200 PPP workers gathered in the Jinnah Park (Phansi Ghaat) to commemorate the 35th death anniversary of Mr Bhutto and pay tributes to the party founder.

Quran Khawani and Dua were also held on the occasion. The PPP workers laid wreaths on the site where Mr Bhutto was hanged.

Addressing the participants, the speakers said Mr Bhutto sacrificed his life for the rights and betterment of the poor people of Pakistan. They said before the PPP government came to power, the country was governed by a mindset which never favoured the people.

MUZAFFARABAD: Tributes were paid to the PPP founder for his unflinching commitment to the freedom of Kashmir and prosperity of Pakistan at a function held in Muzaffarabad to mark his death anniversary on Friday.

During the function, chaired by Khawaja Farooq Ahmed, former minister and vice president of AJK chapter of People’s Party, “Bhutto Shaheed Medals” were awarded to party’s founding workers who had also rendered services in the social sector.

The speakers said anti-Pakistan forces had got Mr Bhutto eliminated though a judicial murder but they could not eliminate him from the hearts and minds of his fans.

Prominent among the speakers were former presidential adviser Sardar Tabarak Ali, former mayor Nisar Gillani, Maqbool Var, Anjum Nisar Mir and Khawaja Atif Bashir.

Special prayers were also offered on the occasion for the deliverance of Mr Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto and other martyrs.

FATEHJANG: A large number of PPP workers attended a programme held in connection with the death anniversary of Mr Bhutto here on Friday.

The local leaders paid tribute to the party founder and said Mr Bhutto was the first leader who created awareness among the people about their rights.

Those who spoke on the occasion included Riaz Khan Balra, Zaheer Khan Sadqal, Malik Sabir Masood and Mohammad Ashraf.