ISLAMABAD: 97th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister of Pakistan and founder of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
A floral wreath will be placed at his grave and special prayers will be said. The political party has planned various programs for the day. Party leaders and supporters will pay tribute to him for his remarkable contributions to Pakistan, including drafting the country’s unanimous constitution, empowering the common citizen to vote and pioneering Pakistan’s nuclear programme.
Bhutto, the only son of Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto, was born on 5 January 1928. He completed his early education at Bombay’s Cathedral High School. He entered the University of Southern California in 1947 and later the University of California at Berkeley in June 1949.
After graduating with honors in political science from Berkeley in June 1950, he was admitted to Oxford. Bhutto was then called to the bar at Lincoln’s Inn in 1953.
Upon her return to Pakistan, Bhutto began practicing law at Dingomal’s. In 1958, he joined President Iskander Mirza’s cabinet as Minister of Commerce. He was the youngest minister in Ayub Khan’s cabinet. In 1963, he took over the post of Foreign Minister from Muhammad Ali Bogra.
His first major achievement was the conclusion of a border agreement between China and Pakistan on 2 March 1963. In mid-1964, Bhutto helped convince Ayub of the wisdom of establishing closer economic and diplomatic ties with Turkey and Iran.
On November 30, 1967, he laid the foundation of the Pakistan People’s Party.
Bhutto also made the country’s defenses impregnable by starting a nuclear program. It enabled the consensual adoption of the 1973 constitution.
Bhutto Reshaped Pakistan’s Destiny: President
President Asif Ali Zardari said Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was a visionary leader who reshaped the destiny of Pakistan and became the voice of the deaf.
In a message on the 97th birth anniversary of the former prime minister, he said, “Today we celebrate the 97th birth anniversary of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and pay tribute to the visionary leader who reshaped the destiny of Pakistan and became the voice of the deaf.”
He was a statesman of unparalleled intellect, courage and charisma and his legacy will continue to be a source of inspiration for the nation.
He said: “Bhutto gave us the 1973 constitution, the first unanimously adopted constitution, which laid the foundation for a parliamentary, democratic and federal form of government.”
“He was the architect of Pakistan’s nuclear program, which has proven critical to protecting our sovereignty and security.”
According to him, under his leadership, Pakistan strengthened its foreign relations with China and many other friendly countries, which are still beneficial to our country today.
“It has brought industrial and technological advancements such as the establishment of the Pakistan Steel Plant in Karachi with Russian collaboration and the development of our defense industry which has strengthened our defense capabilities,” he noted.
“Due to his statesmanship, Pakistan organized the Islamic Summit Conference in 1974 to bring together the leaders of the Muslim world to strengthen unity and cooperation among the Muslim Ummah.
Bhutto’s efforts cemented Pakistan’s leading role among developing countries and in the Islamic world, he continued.
Zardari said Bhutto also focused on empowering the disadvantaged and bridging economic divides, adding that his land reforms and measures for the upliftment of workers and laborers not only provided dignity to millions of people but also changed their lives.
He said the former prime minister’s economic initiatives such as the creation of large public sector enterprises and the expansion of education, health and infrastructure had laid the foundation for progress and development.
Institutions like Allama Iqbal Open University and the focus on technical education were born out of his determination to make knowledge accessible to all, he added.
He said Bhutto was a staunch supporter of democracy and stood firm against dictatorship and oppression.
His ultimate sacrifice, facing the gallows instead of compromising his principles, immortalized him as a beacon of resistance and resilience, the president said.
