KARACHI, Nov 30: Marking the 39th founding day of the Pakistan People’s Party on Thursday, PPP leaders renewed their resolve to accomplish the mission of its founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and strive hard for the restoration of democracy and people’s rule, as well as promoting the transformation of the society into an enlightened one.

Speaking at a big public meeting organised by the party’s Sindh chapter in the open area behind the Bilawal House, they predicted a landslide victory for the PPP in the forthcoming general elections, and said the party never believed in ‘deals’ but only in ‘rule by people’.

They said they would never give up Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s mission being carried forward by Ms Benazir Bhutto and were ready to offer any sacrifice for the restoration of the rights of common man.

The venue of the public meeting was decorated with countless flags of Pakistan and PPP, besides banners and posters inscribed with slogans against military rule and in favour of Benazir Bhutto and democracy.

Presided over by PPP Sindh chief Syed Qaim Ali Shah, the meeting was attended by thousands of party leaders, activists and supporters who had come from across the province. The jubilant activists were constantly raising slogans welcoming Benazir Bhutto and dancing on the tunes of party songs being played everywhere in the vicinity. Their slogans would often disrupt the speeches of the leaders.

Recalling the circumstances in which the late Bhutto had founded the party, Syed Qaim Ali Shah said that the great leader had challenged the dictatorship of Ayub Khan and had announced launch of a struggle for the restoration of people’s democratic rights. For the purpose, he said, Z. A. Bhutto founded Pakistan People’s Party in 1967 and with in the next three years, he succeeded in bringing down Ayub Khan and his dictatorship. He brought the PPP to power through the ballots and gave voice to the oppressed masses of the country.

Mr Shah said the late Bhutto always served masses sincerely and selflessly and this was the sole reason for his party’s unscathed popularity across the country and abroad even 39 years after its birth.

Ruling out any deal with the rulers, he said PPP never indulged in deals to gain powers, as such things were for weak parties and not for a most popular political entity like PPP.