PPP leaders fondly highlight importance of Bhutto’s legacy

LAHORE: Leaders of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) on Saturday asserted that Pakistan’s stability and democratic framework are rooted in the legacy of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto, claiming that global and regional conflicts might have taken a different course had Bhutto been alive.

These remarks were made during a seminar titled “From Atomic Bomb to Missile Technology: Shaheed Bhutto and Shaheed Bibi’s Unconquerable Pakistan” held in Johar Town, Lahore. The event was organized by PPP Lahore and attended by party office-bearers, workers, and supporters.

PPP Lahore President Faisal Mir, along with General Secretary Dr. Ayesha Shaukat and several other party leaders, addressed the gathering. A large number of party workers were also present.

During the seminar, Faisal Mir presented a resolution urging the National Assembly of Pakistan, Senate of Pakistan, and provincial assemblies to install statues of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto at Minar-e-Pakistan. The resolution was approved by a majority of attendees.

The speakers emphasized that Pakistan’s defense capabilities, including its nuclear and missile programs, were initiated under Bhutto’s leadership, which they described as critical to the country’s security. They reiterated the PPP’s longstanding slogan of “bread, clothing, and shelter,” while stressing that women’s empowerment requires substantive measures beyond symbolic representation.

Referring to the aftermath of Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, the speakers credited Asif Ali Zardari with strengthening national unity through the slogan “Pakistan Khappey.” They described Bhutto as a lasting symbol of sacrifice, stating that his legacy continues to shape political thought and resistance.

The discussion also touched on historical grievances, including the era of Zia-ul-Haq, which speakers linked to the rise of enforced disappearances. Bhutto’s role in securing the return of 90 thousand prisoners of war after the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was highlighted as a major achievement.

The participants expressed strong support for Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, saying that the party’s future and the aspirations of the youth are tied to his leadership. They pledged to mobilize workers in Lahore and work towards making him the country’s prime minister.

The speakers also called upon PPP leadership to reconsider its position within the current government alliance, urging a shift in strategy.

The seminar concluded with a poetic tribute by Tahira Habib Jalib, who recited verses of her father, reflecting themes of resistance and political struggle.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026