Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s 46th death anniversary today

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is expected to give his party’s future line of action over the controversial canals project in his address today (Friday) at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh. Bilawal in a statement, on the eve of 46th death anniversary of PPP founder former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto on Thursday, reaffirmed PPP’s commitment to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s vision of a “democratic, strong, and prosperous Pakistan”. “On this solemn day, we pay tribute to Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the first directly elected Prime Minister of Pakistan, whose leadership resurrected a defeated nation from the ashes of despair,” he said.

The PPP chairman said at a time when the people were despondent, and Pakistan had suffered a crushing blow in 1971, Shaheed Bhutto took charge with an unbreakable resolve. “He stabilised a broken country, uplifted the nation’s spirit, and set Pakistan on the path of progress. His diplomatic brilliance brought back 90,000 war prisoners from Indian captivity and reclaimed 5,000 square miles of our land through the Simla Agreement -- an achievement unparalleled in our history.”

He said Shaheed Bhutto revolutionised Pakistan’s economy, agriculture, and industrial sector, empowering the working class and giving them their due rights. “His visionary labour reforms and land reforms gave the common man dignity and ownership.”

The PPP chief said Zulfikar Ali Bhutto gifted Pakistan a progressive and unanimous constitution, ensuring democracy and fundamental rights. “His contributions to nuclear technology strengthened Pakistan’s defence, and his dynamic foreign policy made Pakistan a respected voice in the Muslim world and on the global stage,” he said. Today, Bilawal said, as we remember his ultimate sacrifice, we reaffirm our commitment to his vision of a democratic, strong, and prosperous Pakistan.