ISLAMABAD, July 5 : Former premier and PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto has said her party would continue struggle for the restoration of democracy in the country.

She said this in a message on the eve of July 5, which she called black day in the history of Pakistan, when a democratic government was toppled in 1977.

“It was on this date, quarter of a century ago, when a military dictator struck in the middle of night to overthrow a popularly elected government”, she said.

“What followed thereafter is a sordid and unfortunate tale of destruction of democratic institutions, decimation of the judiciary, usurpation of fundamental rights and disenfranchisement of the people of Pakistan.

“A reign of terror was let loose, innocent people were flogged and hanged merely for political dissent, and ethnicity and sectarianism were deliberately promoted by the usurper to create an artificial constituency for perpetuating his rule.

“The dictator did a great disservice to religion when he exploited the fair name of Islam to provide a cover to some of the most oppressive measures of the usurper,” she said.