KARACHI: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has called for observance of July 5 as a black-day across the country.
“The first democratically elected Prime Minister Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and his government was ousted by a tin-pot dictator 40 years ago on this day. July 5, 1977 shall remain a black-day in Pakistan’s history because the hopes and aspirations of our nation were crushed by a dictator who remains the root of every evil, which continues to haunt the people,” the PPP chairman said in his message on the day.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that extremism, terrorism, Kalashnikov and drug culture were all the things gifted by the Zia dictatorship. “He unleashed a reign of terror against democratic, liberal and truly patriotic people of Pakistan. From lock-ups to torture cells and lashes to gallows every form of atrocity and violence was let loose against the innocent and unarmed Pakistanis after the ouster of a democratic government,” he said.
He said that despite facing the worst kind of victimization and dictatorial state terrorism, the people of Pakistan especially the ‘jiyalas’ had remained steadfast and battled bravely for democracy unabatedly.
Bilawal Bhutto saluted all the PPP leaders, workers, ‘jiyalas’ and common people who suffered brutalities under Zia for the cause of democracy and the mission of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
PPP will observe July 5 as black day today (Wednesday) and black flags will be hoisted at all the party offices at district, divisional and provincial headquarters.
