ISLAMABAD, Jan 4: “There could not be a better tribute to Shaheed Bhutto than the fact that the great majority of the PPP workers stood by the party through thick and thin out of their sheer loyalty and commitment to Bhutto.”

This was stated by Ms Benazir Bhutto in a message on the occasion of the 75th birth anniversary of the founder of the party, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, which falls on Sunday.

“In case of Pakistan, late Bhutto viewed military rule as a negation of the country that came into being as a result of a democratic process and a vote,” the PPP chairperson said in the message.

She said Bhutto deeply cherished democracy and democratic values and in the end gave his life for the cause of freedom. She said Bhutto believed that the army could only keep its professional competence as an institution by keeping out of politics.

“The Pakistan armed forces cannot afford a moment’s deviation from their real responsibility. Those soldiers who leave barracks and move into government mansions lose wars and become prisoners of war as happened in the 1971,” Ms Bhutto quoted her father as having said.

The PPP chief said that Bhutto’s inspiring leadership filled Pakistanis with hope, energy and strength and there was a sense of purpose and direction in the country in pursuit of peace and prosperity.

She said the PPP supporters faced hanging, lashes and persecution of the military and civil dictators out of their sheer commitment to Bhuttoism.