GARHI KHUDA BAKHSH (Sindh): Rejecting the impression of a deal being sought by PPP, party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has asked the party workers to get ready to launch a movement against the “puppet” government from Lahore after a meeting of the PPP’s central executive committee and federal council in the city on Jan 5.
He was addressing a public gathering held in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto, some 22km from Larkana, on Monday to mark 14th death anniversary of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. “We will start the story (movement) from where PPP was born,” said Mr Bhutto-Zardari.
He said PPP did not believe in undemocratic means adding that “our deal is with people therefore you [workers] should stand up for struggle”.
Referring to the defeat of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf at the hands of the PPP in the Senate elections and by-elections, he said the “puppet” government would have to go.
Shedding light on the economic potential of Pakistan, he said that the PPP took over the country’s economy at a time when there was an economic crisis around the world. “18th Amendment can bring mega energy projects in Thar desert,” he stated, stating that there are metro buses in Punjab, because of the 18th amendment. “After PPP left the federal government, implementation of the 18th amendment was stopped,” he stated.
Addressing the gathering, Asif Zardari said that only one person can change the fate of poor people and that is Bilawal, former president and PPP leader claimed on Monday while speaking on the 14th death anniversary of the slain PPP leader Benazir Bhutto in Garhi Khuda Baksh.
“People of Pakistan are not destined to remain poor forever,” he said, adding that the time is not far when the PPP government would come to power once again. “I am fulfilling the promises made to Benazir Bhutto, and will continue to do so,” he reiterated.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said: “Democracy in Pakistan only exists on paper.” Highlighting the issues that the country is facing, Bilawal said that in Pakistan, there is no freedom of speech, freedom of living, or even breathing.
“We had said that democracy is the best revenge and hence, we restored the system despite all the ill-practices,” he said, adding that democracy was snatched from the people of Pakistan. Pakistanis are bearing the burden of a puppet and selected government,” he added.
PPP chairman was of the view that his party fought terrorism while the incumbent government is negotiating over the blood of Army Public School (APS) martyrs, adding that the prime minister and president of Pakistan have surrendered in front of terrorists.
Former prime minister Raj Parvaiz Ashraf, Nisar Khuhro, president of PPP Sindh, MNAs Shagufta Jumani, Aijaz Jakhrani and Khursheed Junejo, Abdul Qadir Shaheen from Punjab, Advocate Amjad from GB, Mir Changez Jamali from Balochistan and Najamuddin Khan from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier a mushaira was held where poets from all over the country presented their verses and paid tributes to the dynamic leadership of Benazir Bhutto.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari paid a rich tribute to the first elected Prime Minister of the Islamic world and party chairperson Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and said that Benazir Bhutto is a beacon of a movement of democracy and safe destiny for the nation.
The Chairman PPP in his message on the 14th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto further said that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was an ideal world leader who showed great courage in her mission to achieve democracy in Pakistan.
The nation will never forget her national spirit, long struggle and strong leadership, he added.
Bilawal said her struggle to make the country a true welfare state in the light of the thoughts and vision of our founding ancestors is historical.
Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the assassination of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in Rawalpindi was not just the murder of a dream to save the people from poverty, unemployment and injustice, but a conspiracy to kill the entire nation. He pointed out that the heinous conspiracy was foiled by former President Asif Ali Zardari with the slogan Pakistan Khappay.
The PPP Chairman said that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was a universal figure and a peoples leader who promoted unity, harmony and progressive thinking in Pakistan and protected the political and economic rights of the people. As the Prime Minister, she introduced people-friendly policies in the country despite fierce opposition and obstacles. She took innumerable steps for the service of the public, and also highlighted the true image of Pakistan on an international level. The gift of missile technology for the defense of our motherland by the first elected Prime Minister of the Islamic world, is also unforgettable.
Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that for democracy, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto lost her father, two brothers and even her mother. But she never feared the dictators. She kept fighting for democracy till the last hour of her life and in the end, achieved martyrdom.
Chairman PPP said that today is the day to make a pledge to eradicate terrorism and extremism from Pakistan, and to continue the struggle of strengthening democracy, supremacy of the Constitution and Parliament, and social equality. There can be no other way to pay homage to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.