PPP holds rallies across Sindh to mark black day over Zia’s 1977 coup

KARACHI / HYDERABAD / LARKANA / NAWABSHAH / BADIN: The Pakistan Peoples Party held rallies in cities and towns across Sindh on Sunday to observe a black day on the anniversary of the July 5, 1977 coup in which Gen Ziaul Haq overthrew the elected government of then prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

Leaders and workers from the party’s central, district, taluka and city organisations, along with its women, youth and labour wings, led demonstrations in their respective areas. Participants described Gen Zia’s martial law as one of the darkest periods in the country’s history and paid tribute to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto for his struggle for democracy, the 1973 Constitution and what they called his role in making Pakistan a nuclear power.

Karachi rally

The main rally in Karachi began at the Sindh Assembly building and ended at the Karachi Press Club. Senior PPP leaders Waqar Mehdi and Javed Nagori led the procession, which was attended by party leaders, activists and supporters.

Addressing participants, party leaders said the people of Pakistan had always backed democracy. They urged political parties to unite in defence of the Constitution and said interruptions in the democratic process had never served the country’s interests. They said stronger democratic institutions were essential and added that the rule of law was key to a strong and stable Pakistan. They also paid tribute to former prime minister Benazir Bhutto for her struggle against dictatorship, saying the PPP had consistently stood for democratic continuity, constitutional supremacy and respect for the public mandate.

Gathering at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh

In Larkana, a large number of PPP leaders, workers and supporters visited the Bhuttos’ mausoleum in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, where they paid homage to members of the family buried there. Floral wreaths were laid on the graves and prayers were offered for the strengthening of democracy in the country.

Participants later joined a rally against the 1977 martial law. Many wore black armbands and others carried black flags to mark the day, while women workers also took part in large numbers. A separate ceremony was then held at Begum Nusrat Bhutto Hall, attended by Larkana Mayor Anwar Ali Luhar, PPP Larkana district president Khair Mohammed Shaikh, Dr Sakina Gaad and other party leaders, workers and supporters.

Speakers at the event said the July 5, 1977 coup had dealt a serious blow to Pakistan’s democratic journey. They said Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had created political and democratic awareness among the masses and that the party would not forget the sacrifices of its leaders. They also vowed to continue the struggle for democracy, constitutional supremacy and the people’s right to rule, and said the judicial killing of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto would remain a dark chapter in history.

PPP Sindh President Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, marking the black day, said the events of July 5, 1977 amounted to the killing of people’s aspirations. He said repeated imposition of martial law in the past had turned the country into a testing field, but added that the people of Pakistan had never accepted any system other than democracy. He cautioned that the country could no longer afford unconstitutional steps.

Larkana District Council Chairman Aijaz Ahmed Leghari, Vice Chairman Asadullah Bhutto, Mumtaz Chauhan, Zahid Jalbani, Syed Arshad Rashdi, Municipal Chairman Abdul Khaliq Bhutto and other party figures were also among those who joined a rally held inside the mausoleum premises.

Nawabshah and Badin events

In Nawabshah, PPP leaders and workers held a protest outside the local press club. Addressing the gathering, PPP Divisional General Secretary Javed Nayab Leghari, District President Saalim Zardari and others condemned the overthrow of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s elected government on July 5, 1977. They paid tribute to Bhutto and to PPP leaders and workers who, they said, faced floggings and repression but did not submit to the regime. They also pledged to protect democracy and oppose any move to weaken it. Ali Akbar Jamali, Rashid Chandio and Syed Atif Hussain Zaidi also spoke at the demonstration.

In Badin, a rally was taken out from the District Council to the local press club. Several hundred PPP leaders, office-bearers, workers and supporters, many wearing black armbands, took part. The rally was led by PPP District General Secretary Dr Sajjad Ali Chandio, while Fida Hussain Mendhro, Haji Mir Mallah, Sajida Talpur and Saleem Yousuf Adijo also addressed participants.