The Pakistan People's Party Punjab will observe black day today against military takeover back in 1977. The provincial party set up will take out processions, hold seminars and conferences to highlight the negative impact of dictatorship in the country. The PPP South Punjab leadership will also carry out similar activities to mark the day. The party sources said the district level organizations will be activated to revive the party programme among masses.
In their separate messages, both Qamar Zaman Kaira and Makhdoom Ahmed Mahmood said that July 5 was a day of shame and horror in our history when the nation was hijacked by a military dictator. Bilawal Bhutto said July 5 was the day when the military dictator began decimating state institutions, privatizing jehad and enacting black laws against women and non-Muslims in the name of religion. It was on this day that the nation began its collective descent into anarchy and mayhem - a descent that still continues in the name of religion.
Asif Ali Zardari also paid homage to the martyrs of democracy. "On this day, my thoughts also go to those martyrs of democracy who suffered and sacrificed during that black period of our national history". Our thoughts also go to those who have laid down their lives and suffered otherwise in fighting the extremist mindset and militant ideology, he said.