Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) observed Black Day across the country on Friday to condemn the military coup of July 5, 1977 when then Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's government had been toppled by dictator late General Zia-ul-Haq. "July 5, 1977 shall remain a Black-Day in Pakistan's history because the hopes and aspirations of our nation were crushed by a dictator who remains the root of every evil, which continues to haunt the people," stated PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in his message on Friday.
Bilawal alleged that extremism and terrorism as well as Kalashnikov and drug culture are all the nasty gifts of Zia dictatorship, which unleashed a reign of terror against democratic, liberal and truly patriotic people of Pakistan. He said from lock-ups to torture cells and from lashes to gallows every form of atrocity and violence was let loose against the innocent and unarmed Pakistanis after the ouster of democratic government.
He said that despite facing worst victimisation and dictatorial state terrorism, the people of Pakistan, especially the party workers, remained steadfast and battled bravely for democracy unabatedly. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari saluted all the PPP leaders, workers, supporters and common people who suffered every kind of brutality under Zia for the cause of democracy and mission of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.
He said that the PPP would continue its struggle for complete restoration of democracy in the country. He said that under the slogan "democracy is best revenge" the party would continue its struggle against the elements of dictators and "selected Prime Minister." "The selected Prime Minister is also trying to make every institution selected same as himself," he said.
He said that the political victimisation against the former president Asif Ali Zardari is continuity of 5th July 1977. "The war continues between the elements of dictators and pro-democratic people. The final victory is for democratic people," he said. PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zaradari in his message said that any force of the world could not deviate from the principle of supremacy of the Parliament and ruling under the Constitution. He said that 5th July is Black Day of the history.
He said that there is need to defeat of the thinking of extremist and intolerance. He said that some elements want to eliminate the 18th Constitutional Amendment, adding the provinces got autonomy under this amendment. The PPP co-chairman said that strong and stable democracy is necessary for survival and sovereignty of the country.