ISLAMABAD, Nov 29: The 36th founding day of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) will be celebrated throughout the country on Sunday by party organizations at central, provincial and local levels.
The main function will be held at the PPP Central Secretariat in Islamabad. The function will be marked by cutting of a cake by the PPP secretary-general, Jehangir Badar, at 2pm. The function will be attended by party workers, besides MNAs and senators.
Similarly, party’s provincial presidents will hold similar functions in the provincial capitals.
This year the PPP has decided to celebrate the party’s founding day for 10 days and public meetings and functions would continue to be held throughout the country till December 10. Later, the public meetings would convert into a protest movement against the military regime.
Sources told Dawn that the PPP had announced to hold a public meeting at Mochi Gate in Lahore on December 7.
They said there was a possibility that the PPP would make formal announcement of launching agitation movement against the government from the December 7 at public meeting in Lahore.
However, before the announcement, the PPP would make a final attempt to seek cooperation of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA), they added.
The sources said the PPP had very little hope that the MMA would cooperate with the party as it seemed that the government had agreed to bring the proposed constitutional package to the parliament before the December 18 deadline set by the MMA.
OUR STAFF REPORTER FROM PINDI ADDS: The PPP local chapter is celebrating the 36th founding day of the party on Sunday by holding a public rally.
An announcement issued by the party secretariat said the rally would begin at 2pm near Committee Chowk.
OUR REPORTER FROM ISLAMABAD ADDS: Pakistan People’s Party chairperson Benazir Bhutto has said the PPP is a beacon of hope for the Pakistani people and those oppressed everywhere.
Stating this in a message on the eve of the 36th founding day of the party on Saturday, the PPP chairperson said: “A proud and progressive Pakistan marching towards a glorious future is the party’s dream.”
She said with the PPP around no one could take away the right of the people to live in freedom and democracy.
The founding principles of the party, “Democracy is our politics” and “All power to the people”, are ingrained in the consciousness of the people, she added.
Ms Bhutto said the PPP was proud of its record of continuous struggle against civil and military dictatorship which continues to date.
The party was established to enable the common people shape their destiny, she added.
“It was the PPP which led the resistance against dictatorships and gave the country a unanimous Constitution, nuclear capability and a democratic culture.”