Vowing to continue the fight of Benazir Bhutto against tyrannical mindset, the Sindh Assembly expressed its resolve on Friday to support President Asif Ali Zardari in his fight against threats to the federation.
The provincial legislative house unanimously passed a resolution – moved by provincial ministers and leaders of the ruling coalition, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) and Awami National Party (ANP) – aimed at presenting tributes to the slain PPP chairperson on her fourth death anniversary.
It was stated in the resolution: “On the fourth death anniversary of Bhutto, the [provincial] assembly expresses its deep grief on the martyrdom of Shaheed Quaid-e-Jamhooriat (martyred leader of democracy); salutes her incomparable struggle for democracy in Pakistan; lauds her selfless sacrifices made for the people of this country; reiterates its pledge to continue her fight against tyrannical mindset; stands by the president’s resolve to [fulfil] Mohtarma’s vision of defeating any and all threats to the federation; and reaffirms its commitment to the democratic ideals for which she unflinchingly laid down her life.”
PPP’s Shazia Marri, Murad Ali Shah, Haji Muzaffar Shujra and Tauqeer Fatima Bhutto; MQM’s Shoaib Bukhari; PML-F’s Dr Rafiq Banbhan; and ANP’s Ameer Nawab were among the movers of the resolution.
Speaking on the resolution, Bukhari said has been no leader like Bhutto in South Asia, who continued her struggle for democracy and served the masses despite facing massive difficulties.
Sindh Assembly Deputy Speaker Shehla Raza said that the former PPP chairperson sacrificed her life in her struggle against extremism and for establishing global peace. “The credit goes to Garhi Khuda Bux that all political parties can hold public meetings,” she added.
While PPP’s Humera Alwani remarked that Bhutto was a brave political leader, Haji Anwar Maher was of the view that the PPP leader taught the world how to live while fighting.
PML-F’s Nusrat Saher Abbasi demanded the government to expose and arrest the murderers of the assassinated PPP chairperson.
“Bhutto boldly faced the difficulties in her life and President Zardari should be commended for following his [slain] wife’s vision and ideology,” ANP’s Nawab said.
PML-Q’s Nuzhat Pathan drew comparisons of the lives of PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and his daughter Benazir with the struggle of Imam Hussain (RA) and Bibi Zainab (RA).
While the time for house proceedings ended, the speeches on the resolution continued. Sindh Assembly Speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro then adjourned the proceedings until Monday.
Earlier, replying to the questions from lawmakers, Sindh Industries Minister Rauf Siddiqui told the house that unemployment in the province is increasing and there is an immediate need of industrialisation.
“Sindh Small Industries Corporation has restored allotment of all the cancelled industrial plots and created another opportunity for establishing industries,” he said, warning that if the owners do not set up industries within the given time frame, their plots will be cancelled and allotted to others.
