Prime Minister (PM) Yousaf Raza Gilani told a public meeting after the inauguration of a sub-campus of the Agriculture University here on Sunday that the execution of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)’s founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (ZAB) was a historical “blunder”, which was why the PPP government had filed a reference in court to correct it. The PM said that the person who had given the constitution to the country and self-respect to the people could not be a murderer. He said certain people who talked about the weakening of the PPP should know that the party had in fact become stronger. He said the PPP had pledged to safeguard the constitution and those who were accusing the PPP of not respecting national institutions should know that the Constitution of 1973 was put forth by ZAB.
He said the PPP government had restored the constitution to its original form, in line with the mission of ZAB and her daughter, former premier Benazir Bhutto. The PM said that PPP was the name of the ideology, spirit and mission of both of the leaders, who had sacrificed their lives to empower the people and provide them their rights. The elder Bhutto could have made a deal with dictator, but he preferred to sacrifice his life rather than bowing before him, said Gilani. The PM said that Benazir had also faced a dictator bravely and fought for the rights of the people, adding that she was even barred from coming home.
“We have gone to the Supreme Court and sought its opinion on whether the decision of the execution of ZAB was correct or wrong, but we think the martyrdom of ZAB was a murder,” he added. Gilani said the PPP was the largest political party in the country, which had its roots in Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan as well as the four provinces. He said the party respected the court and all national institutions. He said the 18th and 19th Amendments, NFC Award, Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), awarding of the status of province to Gilgit-Baltistan and the Aghaz-e-Huqooq Balochistan Package were the landmark achievements of the government. Gilani said the government had taken steps for the protection of women’s rights and minorities and for the first time, the minorities would be represented in the Senate.
He said the PPP had taken various measures to promote agriculture, because of which farmers had become prosperous and Pakistan was now in a position to export wheat. Despite terrorism, he said, development was in progress at a smooth pace, he added. “We have to stand united against anti-state elements and it will be our greatest success that the nation stands united against terrorism and extremism,” he said. He said that no country could win a war without the support of the people. The government would not rest until terrorism was eliminated, he added. The PM said the army had saved the future of the country by sacrificing the lives of its men, for which they deserved praise.
Federal Kashmir Affairs Minister Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo, former minister Syed Sumsam Bukhari, National Assembly Member Khurram Jehangir Wattoo and Provincial Assembly Member Robina Shaheen Wattoo also spoke on the occasion. Information Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan, former federal minister Aseff Ahmed Ali, former provincial minister Ashraf Sohna, PPP leaders and a large number of party workers were also present on the occasion. Later, the prime minister announced Rs 2 million each to the 55 union councils of NA-146 and 147, and Rs 30 million each for five towns of district Okara. The PM said that funds would be released for the improvement of the drainage system of Depalpur and construction and renovation of roads in the next budget. The PM also announced that work would begin on a dual carriageway of Benazir Avenue, and Rs 1 million each for Depalpur Press Club and Depalpur Bar Association.
