Larkana (Web Desk): The 46th death anniversary of the founding chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto is being observed today (Friday).
In this connection, the PPP has organized ceremonies across the country to pay tribute to former Prime Minister.
Quran Khawani and fateha khawani were held across country for departed soul of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
Sindh government has declared a public holiday today.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was born on January 5, 1928 in Larkana. His father, Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto, was the dewan of the princely state of Junagadh.
Bhutto started higher studies at Berkeley and Oxford, trained as a barrister at Lincoln s Inn.
He entered politics as one of President Iskander Mirza s cabinet members, before being assigned several ministries during President Ayub Khan’s military rule.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto founded Pakistan People’s Party in 1967. He served as the 4th President of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973. He became prime minister of Pakistan on 14 August 1973 after parliament unanimously approved a new constitution in same year.
The PPP won the 1977 parliamentary elections; however, a conservative alliance alleged widespread rigging and civil disorder escalated across Pakistan.
On 5 July 1977, chief of army staff General Zia-ul-Haq deposed Bhutto in a bloodless coup, and had the former prime minister controversially tried and executed by the Supreme Court (SC) in 1979 for allegedly authorising the murder of a political opponent, Ahmad Raza Khan Kasuri.
President Zardari vows to carry forward Bhutto’s mission of a progressive, sovereign Pakistan
President Asif Ali Zardari, paying tribute to former premier and PPP founder late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto for his services, struggles, and sacrifices, vowed to carry forward his mission of making Pakistan a developed, sovereign, and people-friendly country.
The president, in his message on the 46th death anniversary of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, reiterated his resolve to take every possible step to protect Pakistan’s sovereignty, democracy, and the people’s rights.
Remembering him as a great statesman, a courageous leader, and the true representative of the people, the president said that Shaheed Bhutto set Pakistan on the path of development, sovereignty, and public welfare.
“Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto gave the nation its first unanimous constitution, laid the foundation of Pakistan’s nuclear program, and gave the country’s foreign policy an independent and sovereign identity,” President Zardari remarked.
He said that under Bhutto’s leadership, Pakistan hosted the Islamic Summit Conference, paving the way for the unity of the Muslim Ummah.
The president also lauded Shaheed Bhutto’s empowerment of workers, farmers, and the underprivileged by granting them their due rights. Besides, the country achieved significant progress in the fields of education, industry, and defense, consequent to the efforts of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, President Zardari said.
PM Shehbaz pays tribute to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has paid tribute to former premier Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto on his 46th death anniversary, the Radio Pakistan reported.
In a statement, PM Shehbaz said Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was a champion of democratic values in Pakistan.
He said that Shaheed Bhutto’s contributions to the promotion of democracy and democratic values will always be remembered.
Shehbaz Sharif said that under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s leadership, Pakistan got the unanimous 1973 constitution.
“Zulfikar Ali Bhutto played a key role for uniting the Muslim Ummah,” PM Shehbaz said.
