HYDERABAD, July 6: The Pakistan Peoples Party and the PPP-SB throughout Sindh on Friday observed black day to mark 25th anniversary of removal of the elected government and imposition of martial law by Gen Ziaul Huq on July 5, 1977.

The PPP activists, wearing black armed bands, staged a demonstration outside the local press club here.

Speaking at the rally, the party leaders, Usman Kennedy, Saghir Qureshi and Zahid Bhurgari accused the army of breaking the country and added that President Gen Pervez Musharraf would prove to be Gorbachev of Pakistan.

They said that only Benazir Bhutto could save Pakistan and urged the people to strengthen her hands.

The PPP-SB held a protest meeting at the Journalists’ Colony here, at which Moula Bukhsh Mashori, Zahid Jokhio and others delivered speeches.

They said that July 5, 1977 was blackest day in the history of Pakistan, when the elected government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was toppled by a military dictator.

They said that Benazir Bhutto had exploited martyrdom of her father to reach the corridors of powers. They alleged that she had provided protection to the killers of her brother, Mir Murtaza Bhutto.

Our Dadu Correspondent adds: The PPP, Dadu, on Friday observed black day in the district.

The party activists took out a procession from the PPP district office to the press club here.

The activists of the PPP-SB also observed black day in the district and took out a procession here.

Our Mirpurkhas Correspondent adds: The PPP, Mirpurkhas, observed black day here on Friday.

A party meeting was held at Jilani House in which the speakers paid tribute to those who had rendered sacrifices for democracy in the country.

Reports our Naushahro Feroze Correspondent: The PPP activists observed black-day to mark the anniversary of the imposition of martial law in 1977.

The activists and local leader of the party held a meeting at Abbasi House. The PPP district general secretary, Karim Bukhsh Mallah, Dr Barkat Malik, Sohail Abbasi, Amir Bukhsh Rajpar, Haider Ali Shah and others spoke on the occasion.

They alleged that the government was trying to put hurdles in the way of democracy by different tactics like constitutional amendments’ package.

The activists of the PPP-SB, Mohammad Khan Vistro, Basheer Rajpar and others observed a token hunger strike at the National Highway near Jalbani petrol pump.

Our Shikarpur Correspondent adds: Black day was observed here on Friday by the activists of the Sindh People’s Students’ Federation.

The SPSF workers took out a rally which was led by Zahid Mirani and Amir Ali Bhutto.

Our Nawabshah Correspondent adds: The activists of the PPP observed black day here on Friday.

Speaking at a gathering at the PPP house, the PPP district president, Ghulam Qadir Chandio, said that the PPP was still fighting against Gen Zia’s remnants for revival of democracy.