Quaid-e-Awam, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, is one of the few Pakistani leaders who will always live in the hearts of our people. He continues to enjoy the love and reverence of millions of the most die-hard followers. As a charismatic leader, he was popular around the world and remains so. Even today, his vision is the pivot of Pakistani politics.
Times might have changed, but Bhutto's ideals are ever more relevant and as much as they were 3 decades ago. He has fired up the imaginations of millions, instilling in them a new awakening and a spirit to be able to stand up and fight for their rights. He believed that a progressive vision was the only viable future for third world countries; the same progressive approach which now many countries hold to be the cornerstone of their existence. The world will have to wait for centuries to raise another one like him. Bhutto was taken away from us at the prime of his life, just 51 years old, by conspirators who had much to fear from Bhutto's vision. They wanted to bury him along with his ideals. However his vision not only survived, three decades after, it thrives on. Shaheed Benazir used to say, that Democracy was the best revenge. It is in deed. That is why his murderers now openly admit to the dark conspiracy they had hatched against the people of Pakistan.
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's achievements remain unmatched. He gave this nation a mutually agreed on Islamic, Federal and Democratic Constitution which ensures equality, freedom and rights for every citizen. Our great Constitution has survived the strenuous tests of time, more so in recent years, when the democratic government did away will amendments introduced by self-serving dictators only for prolonging their tenures. He became the youngest Foreign Minister in Pakistan's history. His brilliance is evident from the First Islamic Conference where he gathered almost all leaders of the then Islamic world, a feat still unmatched. He was revolutionary in thought, extremely patriotic, people-loving and farsighted. In September of 1965, when a war was imposed, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto with his radio address as the then Foreign Minister motivated the nation towards victory against all odds. Under his dynamic leadership, the nation saw the establishment of Kamra Aeronautical Complex, Pakistan Steel Mills and Ship Building. He gave Balochistan its provincial and inaugurated a separate High Court. He gave Gilgit Baltistan an independent system of governance. The return of West Pakistani territories as well as war prisoners was another amazing and luminary achievement. It was also Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto who laid the foundation of strong friendly relations with foreign countries including the ever-green strategic partnership with China.
The enemies of democracy must bear in mind that we, along with the followers of Bhutto, will never betray his path and vision even if it means laying down our lives for this noblest of causes. Following in his footsteps, we are determined to pull this nation out of its predicaments and propel it onto the path of progress, prosperity and peace.
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