LAHORE – Pakistan People’s party (PPP) activists observed the 32nd death anniversary of PPP’s founding chairman and former prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto on Monday. Different PPP organisations including the provincial, city and district set-ups, held Quran Khawanis, candlelit ceremonies, public meetings and seminars throughout the city.
The main event was held at the PPP’s Punjab office in Faisal town, where party leaders and workers held a Quran Khawani. A number of PPP workers and leaders, including PPP Punjab Additional General Secretary Dr Hasnat Shah, PPP Lahore Information Secretary Khurram Farooq, PPP Punjab Ulema Wing President Rai Muzzamil and Habib Ur Rehman attended the ceremony. Workers recited Holy Quran and prayed for Bhutto’s soul.
A large number of PPP activists, including women also attended a seminar organised by PPP Lahore at Lahore Press Club to commemorate Bhutto and pay homage to his services and philosophy. The speakers at the seminar highlighted the different aspects of ‘Bhuttoism’ and said that carrying forward Bhutto’s vision was the only way to strengthen democracy in the country. They said that the restoration of 1973’s constitution was a befitting tribute to Bhutto, who sacrificed his life for the people, democracy and the constitution.
Former PPP Lahore president Asghar Chaudhry, Ayesha Gohar, Raheela Naz and other local party leaders held a candlelight vigil at the Charing Cross outside the Punjab Assembly in the evening to commemorate Butto, a leader who turned the country politics dimension towards masses’ welfare. The workers and leaders chanted slogans in favour of PPP and ZA Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto, Bilawal Bhutto and Zardari. They also prayed for the departed soul.
Likewise, PPP Azad jammu Kashmir (AJK) Lahore, PPP Women Wing Lahore and other party organisations held Quran Khawani and programmes to pay tribute to Bhutto for his services in restoring democracy in the country.
ETPB CHAIRMAN PAYS TRIBUTE: Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Syed Asif Hashmi has said the only solution to combat the challenges being faced by the country these days is to follow ‘Bhuttoism’. He said Bhutto strengthened the federation and ensured inter-provincial harmony besides bringing real democracy to the country. Hashmi said the best way to pay homage to Bhutto was to continue his struggle for achieving the goal of federal polity, follow his footprints and promote his political and ideological philosophy. He said that Bhutto raised political awareness among people and rose against dictatorship.
A large number of PPP workers and leaders including Mian Munir, Umer Sharif Bukhari, Syed Faraz Hashmi and others attended the ceremony.
