61st birth anniversary of Benazir Bhutto: Zardari, Bilawal call for closing ranks against terrorism

On the occasion of the 61st birth anniversary of Benazir Bhutto, PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Friday extended heartfelt felicitations to the workers of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party, while PPP Patron-In-Chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari called on all political forces to suspend politics as usual and show unity in support of the armed forces who are fighting against the terrorists under the operation Zarb-e-Azb.

Zardari wished the democracy-loving people of Pakistan, especially the women and the marginalised sections of society for whom, he said, Benazir Bhutto had devoted her life. “The 61st birth anniversary of our great leader is being commemorated at a time when the nation has finally decided to root out militancy from its midst, a battle that Shaheed Bibi had vowed to wage and lead from the front and during the course of which she also laid down her life,” Zardari said.

He said the recent declaration of the resolve to fight to the finish the militants is indeed an echo of Benazir’s clarion call to the people on the day she was killed. “This birth anniversary of our great leader is therefore doubly auspicious as it also marks a new resolve to defeat the ideology that is posing existential threat to the country.” He said this birth anniversary of his party’s leader is also an occasion to reiterate the pledge to defeat the militant mindset and uphold the ideals of democracy, pluralism and rule of law for which Benazir Bhutto stood for and struggled throughout her life.

“Let us reiterate our resolve once again that we will not let the militants dictate their political agenda through force and that Pakistan will be a moderate and pluralistic country where the ultimate choice is made by ballot and not bullet,” Zardari said. Meanwhile, Bilawal said, “There should be no space for partisan politics at this time. All political forces should be united in supporting our armed forces and working to help IDPs.”

Bilawal said the best way to pay tribute to Benazir Bhutto on her 61st birthday in current national scenario is to donate blood for the soldiers fighting on the frontlines against terrorism and to take full care of the internally-displaced persons (IDPs). He said, “Our great leader Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto laid down her life in the fight against terrorism and to show such gesture on behalf of the party leaders, workers, supporters and general masses would be the most appropriate in the current situation.”

He said PPP organisations will arrange blood donation camps across the nook and corner of the country tomorrow and invited people from all walks of the life to come and donate their blood to play their role in fight against terrorists who want to wipe out this nation from its roots. Bilawal announced formation of PPP Workers Volunteer Force to facilitate the IDPs and called for suspension of politicking for the time-being to focus on the war on terror and helping our brethren who have turned IDPs by terrorists.