LAHORE – A small caravan of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) workers left for Larkana on Saturday from the railway station to attend PPP founder and former PM Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s (ZAB) 32nd death anniversary. The workers were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans in favour of ZAB. No PPP Punjab leader was present to see the workers off. Party activists chanted slogans including “Jiye Bhutto” and “Zinda Hai BB Zinda Hai”. PPP Lahore Women Wing President Faiza Malik, Lahore Vice President Ehsan Zafar and Lahore General Secretary Akbar Khan were also present on the occasion. Several small groups of PPP workers converted into a large caravan and left for Larkana under the district level leadership.
The PPP Punjab president and general secretary were not available for comments. PPP Punjab Deputy Information Secretary Iqbal Sialvi, clarifying the absence of the main leadership, said that Punjab chapter office-bearers including President Imtiaz Safdar Warraich, General Secretary Samiullah Khan, Finance Secretary Aurangzeb Burki, Hasnat Shah and Rai Ejaz will also attend the anniversary but leave from different stations.
Addressing party workers, Faiza Malik said that caravans from all over the province will reach Larkana by cars, buses and trains to participate in ZAB’s anniversary. She said that all sub-organisations of the party had been directed to ensure proper arrangements for party workers visiting Naudero.
PPP Lahore General Secretary Akbar Khan, talking to journalists at the railway station, said that ZAB was one of the greatest people in history who laid the foundation of a modern Pakistan from his wide-ranging social, political, industrial, labour, administrative, land and educational reforms. Pakistan Railways facilitated the workers by attaching five passenger coaches with 24-Down Quetta Express train for Larkana. The caravan will reach Larkana on Sunday, where they will participate in prayers for the departed soul of ZAB.
