Zia martial law hampered progress: PPP

LAHORE
Pakistan People’s Party central Punjab President Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo has said that General Zia-ul-Haq toppled the elected government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and inflicted the appalling injustice on the nation.
The nation has been paying very heavy price since then in the form of extremism, terrorism and intolerance, he added.
Addressing a function in connection with “Black Day” held on Sunday to condemn July 5, 1977 Martial Law imposed by Zia-ul-Haq, Wattoo said had Zia-ul-Haq not imposed martial law in the country Pakistan would have been a developed country like Malaysia and Turkey.
He said it was the vision of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto that Pakistan’s defence became invincible, adding that Pakistan had the capability of hitting any part of enemy territory with pin-drop precision in case of aggression.
He pointed out that had Pakistan not been a nuclear power its security would have been in great danger emanating from the Eastern boarders. He expressed his happiness over PSF unity, adding that now the students would play an active role in disseminating the message of Bhuttos in the country.
Zarb-e-Azb is the vindication of the party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto’s stance right from the beginning, he observed. He said that PPP highly appreciated the sacrifices army was rendering in the fight against terrorism and totally supported it in this regard. Later, Sardar Latif Khosa, said that Bhuttoism was a political philosophy for seeking redemption from the forces of exploitation. He said that after the independence the feudal lords and capitalists hijacked the freedom of the people but Bhutto severed these chains of subjugation and indignity. Nadeem Afzal Chan expressed his resolve to deal with planted elements within and without the party. He advised the media not to resort to media trial of the PPP. Tanvir Ashraf Kaira said Bhutto gave Constitution to the nation that had been serving as guarantee to the federation of Pakistan.