Bilawal pays tribute to MRD martyrs

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday paid tribute to 16 party workers who were martyred on September 29, 1983, in Punhal Chandio village of Shaheed Benazirabad district during the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy (MRD).

According to a press release issued by the Bilawal House Media Cell, Bilawal said the 16 workers had laid down their lives 43 years ago for the people's right to rule, the Constitution and democracy. He said the martyrs had proven with their blood that the people's right to rule could not be suppressed.

The martyrs included Tharo Chandio, Rajab Chandio, Ali Sher Chandio, Ghulam Mustafa Chandio, Pir Bakhsh Chandio, Urs Chandio, Siddiq Chandio, Gulab Chandio, Hashim Khaskheli, Janab Khaskheli, Miro Khaskheli, Ali Gul Khaskheli, Ramzan Khaskheli, Mehboob Solangi, Allah Rakhio Solangi and Hussain Bakhsh Mangnehar.

Bilawal said that during the "dark period of dictatorship", PPP workers had chosen peaceful democratic resistance for the restoration of democracy rather than bowing before repression. "The sacrifices of the martyrs constituted an unforgettable chapter in the country's democratic struggle," he said.

He added the 16 martyrs of Punhal Khan Chandio, along with all those who lost their lives during the MRD movement, would remain alive in the hearts of the people and their names would serve as a symbol of the struggle for democracy for future generations.