Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Remembered on 47th Death Anniversary

The nation will commemorate the 47th anniversary of the death of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the former prime minister and founding chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

His political legacy and contributions to Pakistan’s constitutional and democratic growth are being honored by leaders.

In his statement, President Asif Ali Zardari urged maintaining institutional integrity and justice, stating, “Institutions must uphold the rule of law, protect due process and ensure that justice is administered fairly and without prejudice”.

Zardari’s statement was discussed on X by state radio Radio Pakistan.

Remembering Bhutto’s leadership, he sated, “Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s leadership during a difficult period after 1971 helped restore national confidence and chart a new constitutional course for the country,” adding that “the Constitution of 1973, which continues to guide our parliamentary system, remains one of the most enduring achievements of that period”.

Regarding the circumstances behind Bhutto’s execution, the president stated that he was executed on April 4, 1979, after a trial held under Zia-ul-Haq’s martial law regime.

He cited the Supreme Court’s ruling from March 2024, which declared that Bhutto had not received a fair trial and noted that the legal procedure had “destroyed any semblance of due process and fair trial.”

“The Supreme Court held that he had not been given due process nearly fifty years after his execution,” the president stated, emphasizing that the incident is still a crucial lesson in the value of justice and institutional accountability.

He also honored Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, pointing out that she continued the democratic movement “during years marked by political repression, imprisonment, and exile” and finally gave her life in defense of democratic principles.

On the anniversary of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s passing, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif honored him and praised his contributions to the country, politics, and constitution. He claimed that throughout his time as prime minister, Bhutto provided “valuable services with sincerity” for Pakistan’s growth, wealth, and robust defense.

The premier highlighted Bhutto’s contributions to the country’s constitution, stating that he had a “constructive role” in the creation and ratification of the 1973 Constitution, which is still crucial to bolstering the parliamentary system and advancing democracy.

He went on to say that Bhutto worked hard to promote democratic governance, deal with the people’s basic problems, and successfully represent Pakistan abroad. The prime minister said that Bhutto’s political services would always be honored and prayed for his promotion.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s visionary leadership, autonomous foreign policy, and pro-people stance continue to influence Pakistan’s course, according to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.

Bhutto, according to Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, was a pivotal player in Pakistan’s political history. He declared, “Martyr Zulfikar Ali Bhutto symbolized an era, an ideology, and the struggle for the people’s rights.”

In addition to giving Pakistan a consensus Constitution and setting the groundwork for its nuclear program, he continued, Bhutto “instilled political awareness among the people of Pakistan and gave them a sense of democratic governance and sovereignty.”

Memon added that Benazir Bhutto followed in her father’s footsteps and contributed to the advancement of missile technology, noting that both leaders’ efforts are reflected in Pakistan’s robust defense today.