PESHAWAR: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders have paid tribute to the victims of the Karsaz tragedy, saying the party’s leadership and workers had rendered ‘unparalleled’ sacrifices for the survival of democracy in the country.
Speaking at a seminar organised by the PPP Peshawar city chapter at the press club here on Sunday to mark the anniversary of the Oct 18, 2007, Karsaz tragedy, former provincial health minister and PPP leader Syed Zahir Ali Shah said the party had a long history of sacrifices for democracy, with the Karsaz attack being one of its most painful chapters.
PPP Peshawar city president Zulfiqar Afghani chaired the seminar with senior party leaders and workers in attendance.
Mr Shah said former prime minister Benazir Bhutto had continued her struggle for democracy despite threats of terrorism and suicide attacks.
Alleges Governor House being used to create divisions within party
He recalled that she had warned the then president and military ruler about security threats before returning to Pakistan from exile, but her concerns had not been adequately addressed.
He said that on Oct 18, 2007, when Ms Bhutto returned to Karachi after years in exile, a large number of PPP supporters had gathered to welcome her. Two bomb blasts near Karsaz targeted her homecoming procession, killing and injuring hundreds of party workers and supporters.
Ms Bhutto survived the attack and remained among her injured and bereaved supporters, he said, adding that the sacrifices of those who lost their lives in the incident would always be remembered.
Calling for an end to internal differences, Mr Shah said the party should put aside its disagreements and move forward, as its real strength lay in the people.
He also said he forgave those who had allegedly campaigned against him, stressing that the anniversary was an occasion to honour the martyrs rather than engage in political disputes.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Afghani criticised the alleged use of the Governor House to create divisions within the PPP in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He said the party’s leadership and workers had made enormous sacrifices for democracy and urged those in positions of authority to refrain from actions that could weaken the party.
Mr Afghani alleged that the Governor House had become a centre of political manoeuvring against the PPP and that certain individuals had joined the party to pursue their personal interests.
He claimed that the party had suffered considerable damage from activities allegedly being carried out through the Governor House.
He also criticised Governor Faisal Karim Kundi over the issue of imposing governor’s rule in the province, alleging that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had persuaded President Asif Ali Zardari to issue orders for its imposition in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said the governor should have opposed such a move.
Another PPP leader, Syed Fayyaz Ali Shah, popularly known as Fauji Badshah, described Ms Bhutto as one of Asia’s greatest political leaders and said she had been removed from the political scene through a conspiracy by unseen forces.
He said PPP leaders and workers had sacrificed their lives not for personal interests but for democracy and the country’s future.
Other speakers included senior party leaders Munir Comrade, Ghani Gul Mehsud, Peoples Doctors Forum president Dr Janbaz Afridi, Malik Masal Khan, Muzammil Khan, Kifayatullah Khan Orakzai, Tariq Aziz and Khalid Waqar Chamkani.
They paid tribute to the victims of the Karsaz attack and called for stronger party organisation across the province, urging the leadership to resolve internal differences and focus on public service.
Published in Dawn, October 19th, 2026
