HYDERABAD, Aug 8: Political leaders and intellectuals paid tribute to prominent left-wing leader Nazeer Abbasi, at a ceremony held at the press club auditorium here on Sunday to observe his 24th death anniversary.

The speakers said Shaheed Nazeer Abbasi had challenged the dictatorship and struggled for the rights of the oppressed people. Speaking at the function, organized by the Sindh National Party, party chairman Ameer Bhambhro said Nazeer Abbasi had sacrificed his life in the cause of the oppressed people.

Chief guest Zarqa, daughter of the late Abbasi, said the FIR lodged by her mother was still on record but justice had not been restored even after the passage of 24 years.

Others speakers included Pakistan Muslim League-N leader Afzal Gujjar,Ayaz Latif Palijo and Iqbal Mallah. The gathering adopted several resolutions, demanding appointment of a tribunal to reinvestigate the cases of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Nazeer Abbasi and other people who were killed due to "state terrorism" and punishment to the culprits.

It called for eliminating the role of army in politics and restoration of democracy. It said the federating units should be given equal rights in accordance with the 1940 resolution.

The meeting further demanded that the army operation in Balochistan should be stopped forthwith, Kalabagh dam and Thal canal projects be abandoned, water be distributed according to the 1945 water agreement and victimization of political leaders be stopped.