A black day

July 5, 1977 was the one of the darkest days in our history. Thirty years ago on this day Gen Ziaul Haq toppled the first democratically elected government led by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Every year this day brings back painful memories of Zia’s brutal rule: the repercussions of which are still hounding us. During martial law, Bhutto was sent to the gallows on flimsy charges, there were widespread human rights violations and many more repressive acts: some were documented while others went unnoticed.
On the other hand, the PPP marks it as a black day and pays lip service to the Bhutto’s legacy. Nevertheless, the party has drifted far away from its founding principles. Corruption during the last PPP governments speaks volumes of the mindset of the party leadership who are now comfortably ensconced in Sindh which has suffered tremendously under the PPP rule. Its social structure has almost collapsed, its urban areas are in a shambles and about the rural areas – the less said, the better. The party that was once considered to be a citadel of the working class and represented the federation has now shrunk to the level of a regional party. And the worst part is that the current party leadership seems to be content with this status. If Bilawal Bhutto Zardari wants to reinvigorate the party he should come out his father’s influence and try to steer it towards the vision that was the hallmark of its earlier leadership – people’s rule.
Shoaib Sarwar
Larkana