Death anniversary : 60 books sing Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s praises

Politicians arrive in Sukkur ahead of commemoration ceremony.

SUKKUR/ HYDERABAD:

Over 150 photographs and 60 books about Zulfikar Ali Bhutto were put on display on the first day of a three-day photo exhibition, which started on Sunday at the Sindh Museum. The exhibition, organised by the Sindh culture department, displayed pictures from Bhutto’s childhood till his death.

The Sindh Museum attracted several visitors, including scholar, writer and historian Muhammad Ibrahim Joyo. They lit oil lamps and candles in front of the founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Bhutto’s portrait to pay tribute to him on his death anniversary, being observed today.

Meanwhile, arrangements for the anniversary were completed in Garhi Khuda Bux. President Asif Ali Zardari, accompanied by PPP Chairman Bilawal Zardari Bhutto, arrived in Naudero to attend the commemoration ceremony.

Nearly 6,000 police and Rangers personnel and 500 traffic personnel have been deployed in the city, while closed-circuit cameras and walk-through gates have also been installed.

Other leaders arrived in Sukkur on Sunday and then headed to the Bhutto family mausoleum.

The federal information minister, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, was among the many leaders who addressed the media at the airport. “We are going to Garhi Khuda Bux to renew our commitment to Bhutto’s policies,” she said. Bhutto’s philosophy is timeless and will also pave the path to the country’s success, she added.

The federal minister for petroleum and privatisation, Naveed Qamar, declared Bhutto a hero of the Islamic world. “He accepted death but did not bend to the designs of an army dictator,” he said.

Federal commerce minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim said that Bhutto was the only leader who tried to pull Pakistan at par with developed countries around the world. He urged the need to bring about political and economic reforms in the country and Bhutto’s philosophy aimed at doing just that, he said.

The politicians arrived at Bhutto’s shrine on Sunday to recite Surah-e-Fateha. They also visited the graves of Murtaza, Shahnawaz and Benazir Bhutto to lay floral wreaths.

With additional input from PPI and APP

Published in The Express Tribune, April 4^th,  2011.