KARACHI: Sindh Information Minister Saeed Ghani said the democratic system in the country was indebted to the services and vision of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who still inspired democratic forces in opposing tyranny and authoritarianism.

“Zulfikar Ali Bhutto still inspires the oppressed and exploited people. Bhutto will always remain relevant as he epitomises democracy,” said Saeed Ghani, also Pakistan Peoples Party Karachi division president, while celebrating Z. A. Bhutto’s 92nd birth anniversary.

The birthday celebrations were held at the Peoples Secretariat in which PPP Sindh general secretary Waqar Mehdi, vice president Rashid Rabbani and others, including Javed Nagori, Zulfiqar Qaimkhani, Shahida Rehmani, Lala Rahim, Shakeel Chaudhry, Shaheena Sher Ali, Sajid Jokhio and others participated.

Minister Ghani said Zulfikar Ali Bhutto laid down his life for democracy in his country and the people he loved.

He eulogised late Bhutto’s untiring services, struggles and sacrifices for the country, saying, his legacy would continue to hold special place in the hearts of millions of Pakistanis.

The minister said “as a selfless leader of the people and as the great patriot that he was”, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto would forever live in the hearts of people and would never stop inspiring generations to serve the country with devotion and sincerity.

He said the best tribute that “we could pay to Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto is to make a firm resolve to work ceaselessly, selflessly and with devotion to rebuild Pakistan into a strong and progressive country”. He added that in his wake were the millions of young Pakistanis who looked at his life, his determination, his perseverance in the face of all odds.

He said the adoption of 1973 constitution, rallying the Muslim world on one platform and laying the basis for the nuclear programme were some of countless sincere accomplishments that Mr Bhutto did despite he was allowed to serve his people for a very brief time.

“He [late Bhutto] convinced the masses that people themselves were true architects and guardians of their destiny,” said Mr Ghani.

He said late Bhutto buoyed up the heart of every single downtrodden Pakistani who was never told earlier that being an unprivileged person nothing could preclude one from passing a meaningful and worthy life.

“This was his greatest legacy,” added the minister.

He said Bhutto’s legacy was not confined to his time alone. He was a leader who could not be affected by time.

“He was relevant then, and he is relevant now. And, it is even doing the worst injustice to Shaheed Bhutto by bracketing him as a leader for Pakistan only. He was a world leader who inspired another world leader in Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.

“Until every single person who is exploited in Pakistan and elsewhere in the world remains, Shaheed Bhutto will continue to inspire him and encourage him to be a part of struggle against the exploiters.”

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2020