ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians Secretary General Senator Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari on Saturday paid glowing tribute to the party’s founder and former prime minister, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
Speaking at a ceremony held at the PPP Central Secretariat to mark the 98th birth anniversary of the PPP’s Founding Chairman and former Prime Minister, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the Secretary General of PPP Parliamentarians, Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari, said that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto entered politics at a young age and went on to establish the Pakistan People’s Party, which continues to uphold his slogan of “roti, kapra aur makaan”. He remarked that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto empowered the people by strengthening the vote and guided the country through the crisis following the 1971 dismemberment of Pakistan. “When the ship of the country was sinking, Bhutto stood up, gave Pakistan a constitution, and made the nation strong and resilient,” he added.
Reflecting on Bhutto’s role in establishing Pakistan as a nuclear power, Syed Nayyer Bukhari noted that the late leader brought Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan to Pakistan to develop the atomic programme, despite intense international pressure. He mentioned that former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger had threatened Pakistan over its nuclear ambitions, yet Bhutto remained resolute in defending national sovereignty. He affirmed that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s patriotism continues to inspire millions of hearts even today.
He also described PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as the true political heir to the ideology and philosophy of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, referring to him as “the hope of Pakistan”. He credited the political wisdom of President Asif Ali Zardari for sustaining democracy in the country.
Referring to the ongoing anti-encroachment operation in Islamabad, Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari urged the authorities to resolve issues through dialogue and avoid creating a law and order situation. He said the PPP stands with genuine affectees and does not support illegal occupiers, warning that the party would firmly resist any attempt to deprive affectees through coercion.
