LARKANA: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the PPP-Shaheed Bhutto observed, separately, the fifth death anniversary of Begum Nusrat Bhutto in a simple manner, with Quran khwani and langar for the poor, in several Sindh towns on Sunday.

Nusrat Bhutto, born Nusrat Ispahani on March 23, 1929 in Iran, died on Oct 23, 2011, in Dubai from the complications of a prolonged Alzheimer’s disease. She was the wife of the 9th Prime Minister of Pakistan Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and remained PPP chairperson from 1979 to 1983 after her husband’s execution.

The parliament conferred on her, posthumously, the honorific title of Mādar-i-Jamhooriat in recognition for her contribution to empowerment of women and democracy in the country.

At Al-Murtza House, PPP-SB held Quran khwani and distributed food among the participants and the poor after prayers for the departed soul. PPP held a similar gathering at Naudero House where Quran khwani was held followed by distribution of food among the poor.

PPP workers also visited Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto where they offered fateha and laid floral wreaths on the grave of Nusrat Bhutto. Elected representatives, leaders and workers of the party including women also participated in the event.

HYDERABAD: The leaders of PPP-SB paid homage to Nusrat Bhutto at a gathering held to mark her death anniversary at a local hotel. They said that she faced trials and tribulations under a dictatorial regime and ‘confinement’ during the Zardari rule but refused to bow to the oppressors.

They said that she fought for the restoration of democracy and Constitution and strengthened the party.

SUKKUR: PPP-SB, PPP Youth and Sindh Peoples Students Federation observed the death anniversary of their leader in Jacobabad by holding Quran khwani and distributing food among the poor.

PPP-SB leaders said in their speeches at the gathering after Quran khwani and langar at Shaheed Bhutto House that Nusrat Bhutto would always be remembered for her struggle for the restoration of democracy.

MIRPURKHAS: PPP leaders paid rich tribute to the sacrifices laid down by Nusrat Bhutto at a gathering organised by the party’s Mirpurkhas chapter to mark her death anniversary.

They said that late Bhutto played a very important role for the restoration of democracy during the reign of military dictator Gen Ziaul Haq and suffered as a result great trials and tribulations along with her family members and devoted workers.

They said that Nusrat Bhutto was a great leader who saw her children getting killed but did flinch form the cause of restoration of democracy in the country.

Later, special prayers were offered for her departed soul as well as for the martyrs of Pak Army.

BADIN: PPP leaders and workers paid rich tribute to Nusrat Bhutto for strengthening democracy at her death anniversary in which hundreds of workers recited Quran and offered fateha for her departed soul.

The speakers praised the late leader and recalled her sacrifices for democracy.

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2016