On the national scene, baseless propaganda against the Pakistan People's Party has always existed. The party, which gave Pakistan its nuclear power, has been incessantly projected as a conspirator against the defenders of this country. Throughout its history, the People's Party has never once been negative towards any institutions, and for which history itself bears witness. Pakistan People's Party was formed on the concept of democracy by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. The first word in our name is Pakistan. The founding leader made all out efforts for the restoration of the fundamental rights of the people, and sacrificed even his life for the people and the institutions of Pakistan. In his struggle, he was directly threatened by no less than Henry Kissinger, that he would be made an example for all Pakistani leaders to come. And that threat was also acted on and realised in his hanging. His crime: helping make Pakistan a nuclear state!
History has also recorded the fact that how his daughter Benazir Bhutto embraced martyrdom in full public view, at the hands of extremists and terrorists for the sake of Pakistan. Having sacrificed two of its leaders in the prime of their lives, no political party is more loyal to the cause of Pakistan and to all its institutions including the Pak Army.
PPP's mission for national stability, peace and progress is loud and clear. It carries the glorious tradition of holding the national interest over personal, come what may. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto gave this vision, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto reinforced it and the present leadership, under Asif Ali Zardari, is all committed and lives for it. His raising of the slogan "Pakistan Khappay," in the most difficult of times was heard all over the country and the world. This slogan was raised to prevent vested interests working against the state of Pakistan in the name of the Party. This was exactly in line with Benazir Bhutto's own rejection of militancy in the name of PPP after the martyrdom of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.
The world is well aware of the fact that it was Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto who gave Pakistan its most major defence capability, ie nuclear power. After the two wars with India, Bhutto had reached the conclusion that the enemy would only be willing for peace if Pakistan possessed the ultimate deterrence against an all out war. He made it a mission of his life and on his return from France, he announced while addressing the public at Lahore Airport that he had brought such a gift for Pakistan which could both generate electricity for national progress as well as serve as a weapon for national defence. Thus, by equipping the Pak Army with the ultimate weapon, Bhutto forestalled the enemy's nefarious designs of regional expansionism.
After the 2008 elections, Asif Ali Zardari come to power and established exemplary relations with the Pak Army. He assured the military leadership of his full support for the eradication of terrorism. Through Swat Operation, a wing of the terrorists was eliminated. After the 2013 elections, terrorists again sped up their activities to create panic and fear especially in urban areas. Today too, the Pak Army's is fighting active battles for the country and the PPP stands by it. Other political parties also support PPP's policy. In the past, the PPP government also adopted the way of negotiations but the terrorists misunderstood the national tolerance for weakness. Thus, when the present Chief of Army Staff launched the Operation Zarb-e-Azb, the PPP put all its weight behind the decision during the All Parties' Conference. To make the operation a success, the military leadership demanded extraordinary powers. The ruling party was not willing. However, the PPP pre-empted the ruling party's intention and decided to support the army's demand in unequivocal words, to bring normality in the country.
The PPP leadership also took other important steps and played a key role to support the army against the war on terror. In the Senate, PPP leader Raza Rabbani voted in support of the establishment of military courts and practically backed the Pak Army. Likewise, the public representatives from the PPP played their role in the Assemblies for extending cooperation to the military leadership.
Karachi has been in the grip of terrorism for years. During the second tenure of Benazir Bhutto, then federal interior minister Naseerullah Babar activated the intelligence agencies and maintained peace in Karachi through police, in addition to taking a number steps for the purpose, the PPP also gave special powers to the Rangers in Karachi and extended the period of the special powers. The Sindh government's role is unprecedented with regard to giving extension to the Rangers powers to creating appropriate environment for launching indiscriminate operation against terrorists. After a long time, the citizens of Karachi are enjoying with the return of peace and trade activities in the markets and bazaars have witnessed an uptrend. The fear of extortion, plundering and robbery is gradually dissipating as peace and hope take root.
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