Islamabad (Web Desk): President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have paid rich tribute to former Prime Minister and founder of Pakistan Peoples Party Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto for his key role in strengthening parliamentary system and promoting democracy in the country.
In his message, President Zardari urged the nation to learn meaningful lessons from the past, stressing that state institutions must remain committed to the rule of law, uphold due process, and ensure justice is delivered without bias.
“Today, we observe the 47th anniversary of the martyrdom of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, former Prime Minister and founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party, whose life was brought to an end unfairly on 4 April 1979 following a trial conducted under the martial law regime of General Zia-ul-Haq,” the president said, noting that Bhutto continues to hold a defining place in the country’s political narrative.
Zardari said that Bhutto’s leadership in the difficult period following 1971 helped rebuild public confidence and set Pakistan on a renewed constitutional trajectory.
Reflecting on his contributions, the president stated, “The adoption of the Constitution of 1973, which continues to guide our parliamentary system, remains one of the most enduring achievements of that period,” adding, “His government also laid the foundations for policies and institutions that shaped Pakistan’s strategic direction and national outlook in the years that followed.”
Referring to recent legal developments, the president highlighted that nearly fifty years after Bhutto’s execution, the Supreme Court of Pakistan, in its opinion issued on 6 March 2024, determined that he had been denied a fair trial and proper due process.
The court observed that the proceedings “destroyed any semblance of due process and fair trial, and revealed that innocent” man was “rushed to the gallows.”
He said the court pointed out multiple serious irregularities in the case. According to him, the investigation into the murder had originally been closed in May 1976 after authorities failed to trace those responsible, but it was reopened without lawful justification soon after 5 July 1977, following the coup led by Zia-ul-Haq that removed Bhutto from power.
The president further explained that the case was shifted to the Lahore High Court in an unusual manner without informing the accused, effectively denying him a right to appeal and bypassing critical legal safeguards. This included ignoring the requirement under Section 376 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which mandates High Court confirmation of death sentences—a provision the court noted “has only once been disregarded, which was in this case.”
He added that Bhutto’s execution in 1979 also drew concern from the international community, with several global leaders and observers expressing reservations about the circumstances surrounding the trial and verdict.
President Zardari said that this episode remains significant not only within Pakistan’s political history but also in broader discussions about justice, governance, and authority.
He remarked that the day serves as a reminder that justice and due process are not merely theoretical concepts but principles that directly affect citizens in their everyday interactions with institutions. When laws are applied fairly, people develop confidence that their rights will be protected, but when such standards weaken, it is ordinary citizens who feel the impact most strongly.
President Zardari also paid tribute to Benazir Bhutto, acknowledging her courage and perseverance, and noting that with the support of her mother, Nusrat Bhutto, she carried forward the struggle during a time marked by repression, imprisonment, and exile.
Through sustained democratic efforts, including movements such as the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy, she continued the fight to restore constitutional order and ultimately sacrificed her life for democratic values.
“As a nation, we must draw clear lessons from this chapter of our history. Our institutions carry a lasting responsibility to uphold the rule of law, protect due process and ensure that justice is administered fairly and without prejudice,” he said, adding that adherence to these principles is essential for strengthening democracy and preserving public trust in state institutions.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also remembered former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto on his death anniversary, paying homage to his lasting impact on Pakistan’s national, political and constitutional journey.
According to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office Media Wing, the premier spoke of Bhutto’s dedicated leadership, noting that his time in office was marked by determined efforts to steer the country toward progress, economic growth and a stronger defence framework.
He drew particular attention to Bhutto’s leading role in shaping and securing the passage of the 1973 Constitution, describing it as a defining document that laid the groundwork for parliamentary democracy and strengthened democratic traditions in the country.
The prime minister also highlighted Bhutto’s unwavering faith in democratic principles, pointing out that his governance approach remained focused on addressing the concerns of ordinary citizens and prioritising public welfare.
He further observed that during his tenure, Bhutto actively represented Pakistan at the international level, ensuring the country’s voice was heard in global affairs.
PM Shehbaz offered prayers for the departed leader, expressing hope for his elevated status in the hereafter and affirming that his contributions to the nation would continue to be remembered with respect.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also paid heartfelt tribute to his late grandfather, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, on the occasion of his 47th martyrdom anniversary.
Sharing his thoughts on X, he said, “On the 47th martyrdom anniversary of the leader of the masses, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, we pay him a red salute.”
He reflected on Bhutto’s enduring influence, calling him “a visionary leader whose sacrifice became an eternal voice for democracy and the dignity of the people. His martyrdom was not the silencing of a voice but the awakening of a nation’s conscience.”
Bilawal further pledged, “Today, we pledge to turn this dream into reality in the form of a strong, democratic, and welfare-oriented Pakistan,” underlining his commitment to continue his grandfather’s mission of building a just and democratic nation.