KARACHI: A conference “Pegham-e-Aman” was organised in Karachi by the Information Department of the Government of Sindh to pay homage to the martyrs of the nation.
Addressing the ceremony, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said that “May 9 is the day when a conspiracy was made to divide the nation. The enemies of the country always conspire against this beloved nation. Eventually, they found one person to execute the conspiracy, and then the conspiracy began. However, the nation of Pakistan thwarted the conspiracy with unity and solidarity.”
He mentioned that “our country’s first democratically elected Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was martyred on April 4, 1979. Despite this tragedy, the workers set themselves on fire, and the Jayalas were flogged, yet they persisted in raising slogans in support of Bhutto.”
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah mentioned that when the Pakistan People’s Party government came into power in 1988 and Benazir Bhutto became the Prime Minister, people anticipated that she would seek revenge, causing concern and fear among her opponents. However, during her address to the US Congress on June 7, 1989, Benazir Bhutto famously stated that “democracy is the best revenge.”
He mentioned that “after the martyrdom of Shaheed Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto famously declared that ‘democracy is the best revenge’. Benazir Bhutto herself was martyred in front of the entire nation by the enemies of the country on December 27, 2007. On that fateful day, the entire country was in turmoil, and amidst the chaos, President Asif Zardari raised the slogan of ‘Pakistan Khappe’.”
The CM of Sindh highlighted that on one hand, there were leaders who guided the nation towards unity, showing political and conscious leadership that prioritizes the security of the country. On the contrary, there were those who incited hatred and division among the people. He emphasised that the events of May 9 were driven by a significant conspiracy, which he strongly condemned.
He emphasised that “as heirs to the country’s martyrs, it is our duty to ensure the country’s safety for as long as we live. Despite numerous arrests of our leadership, leaders, and workers, including the wrongful arrest and martyrdom of the founder of the PPP, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, and the repeated arrests of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, Asif Ali Zardari, Faryal Talpur, and Sharjeel Inam Memon, we have never advocated harming the country. Our protests have always been peaceful and will continue to be so. Peaceful protest is an integral part of democracy, but any action that harms the country constitutes treason.”
Murad highlighted that on July 5, 1999, the nation lost Shaheed Captain Colonel Sher Khan, marking a tragic day. He recounted Captain Colonel Sher Khan’s remarkable bravery, recalling how he bravely faced two divisions of the Indian Army in Siachen, defeating all opposing soldiers but sacrificing his life in the process. “Even the Indian commander acknowledged Captain Colonel Sher Khan’s valour. However, it is disheartening that miscreants mutilated the statue of the martyred Captain Colonel Sher Khan in Mardan. While those directly involved are accountable, the true culprit is the one who instigated such actions, and they should face the consequences.”
He mentioned that on May 9, there were incidents of arson and unrest in Karachi. “Despite this, our forces remained steadfast in their efforts to maintain peace.” He commended the dedication and hard work of the police, rangers, and all law enforcement agencies involved in restoring and maintaining peace.
Speaking at the event, Senior Minister of Sindh and Provincial Minister for Information, Sharjeel Inam Memon, expressed that May 9 is being commemorated as Peace Day by the Government of Sindh. He emphasized the message that Pakistan is a peaceful and peace-loving nation, aiming to convey this sentiment to the world.
He remarked that “on this day last year, regrettably, a few anarchists tarnished the culture of the country. They misled our young generation, attempting to lead them astray towards paths of chaos and violence.”
Sharjeel Inam Memon emphasized that despite the judicial murder of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, the PPP never resorted to violence.”
He highlighted that “on May 9, a well-thought-out conspiracy aimed at inciting chaos among the youth. The entire nation witnessed orchestrated riots, with incidents such as the burning of Quaid-e-Azam’s residence and the desecration of martyrs’ memorials. Karachi saw buses set ablaze while ambulances were torched in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Such acts of violence, unprecedented in Pakistan’s history, were detrimental to the country and its future generations.”
Copyright Business Recorder, 2024
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