By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : The Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ms.Sherry Rehman has said that Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s 81st birth anniversary on Jan 5 is a day for the government to reiterate its commitment to people’s empowerment, a cause advocated by the Shaheed leader.
“The Pakistani nation’s deep commitment to democracy, despite repeated attempts at crushing our aspirations is the result of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s uncompromising approach to people’s rule,” said Ms. Sherry Rehman in a message to the nation on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
The PPP Government has decided to observe the day with simplicity owing to the holy month of Muharram.
The Federal Information Minister said that the reason leaders like Shaheed Bhutto continue to live in the national memory is because of the dedication they commit to their cause.
“For Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the empowerment of the common man was the supreme agenda that he pursued till his last breath”, she remarked.
The Minister said that he was the first political leader of his times who brought politics out of the drawing rooms of the elite class, right into the streets to the masses.
His political objective was premised on the common man’s right to rule through a fair representative system.
It is the success of his ideology that despite many regime changes after his demise in 1979, Pakistanis continue to support a political and representative rule, she remarked.
Ms.Sherry Rehman said that Shaheed Bhutto took the arduous task of nation rebuilding after the 1971 war, turning Pakistan’s economic, political, military and civilian systems around.
He gave Pakistan a unanimously approved constitution that continued to support the cause of the federation in the face of successive attempts at trampling the sacred document.
He laid the foundation of strong support structures for the economy.
The Karakoram Highway, the Port Qasim Authority, the Kamrah Aeronautical Complex, the Heavy Mechanical Complex, and the Pakistan Steel Mills were all established by Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
Till today these industries act as the backbone of the country’s economy.
Shaheed Bhutto’s foreign policy strengthened Pakistan’s position in the region while it was his strong relations with the Gulf countries that opened avenues of opportunities for Pakistan’s labour for decades to come.
Most importantly, his uncompromising approach to fundamental rights paved the way for basic freedoms including rights through habeas corpus, passport to every Pakistani and land reforms.
The Federal Information Minister said that an important aspect of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s leadership was that he combined his charisma with organisation, programmes and systematic action.
“Shaheed Bhutto was a visionary leader and this was reflected in his leadership and governance style. He was fully committed to the prosperity and long-term growth of Pakistan.
“ We in Pakistan still reap the benefits of his economic policies that empowered labour and sought to establish a just order for all sections of the society enabling them to contribute to and benefit from the country’s economic growth.”
The Federal Information Minister said that thirty years after his judicial murder, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto continues to influence the political spectrum of Pakistan.
Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto strove for civilian supremacy over state structures.
He made no compromises on his mandate and relentlessly pursued pro-people policies despite resentment from established quarters.
Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto adopted similar approach for governance.
After the two Shaheed leaders, the Pakistan Peoples Party stands committed to follow their ideals.
“Delivering on public welfare remains the top priority of our government and we would stand by our agenda.’, she added.