ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday paid tribute to Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, highlighting the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) role in strengthening democracy in the country.
In a message on the 58th Foundation Day of the PPP, the president said the party’s historic struggle against dictatorship and its efforts to restore public rights were key achievements. “The unanimously adopted Constitution of 1973 was a historic gift from Shaheed Bhutto,” a press release from the President Secretariat quoted him as saying. He added that the PPP remained committed to building a tolerant and progressive Pakistan.
President Zardari also highlighted the party’s contributions to national unity and stability, citing reforms in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir as notable accomplishments. He said the PPP laid the foundation for the country’s nuclear programme, and emphasized its work in land reforms, labour rights, education, and social justice. “From MRD to ARD, PPP has been the architect of democratic evolution,” he observed.
He further noted that the Charter of Democracy and the 18th Amendment were part of the PPP’s democratic legacy and highlighted the party’s inclusion in the National Action Plan. “PPP has always been the voice of workers, farmers, women, and minorities,” the president said, stressing the importance of empowering marginalized communities and renewing commitment to democracy, equality, and social justice.
Separately, Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gillani congratulated the PPP on its 58th Foundation Day, praising the party’s historic role in safeguarding public welfare and strengthening democratic institutions. He lauded the leadership of Shaheed Bhutto and the sacrifices of Benazir Bhutto, and credited former President Zardari with fortifying parliamentary processes and restoring the Constitution during critical periods through policies of reconciliation.
The messages underscore the PPP’s continued emphasis on democratic principles, social justice, and inclusive governance as part of its political mission.
