‘Black day’: ‘Remnants of Zia still hogging political space’

LAHORE:

The Awami Workers’ Party Lahore chapter said on Sunday

that July 5 should serve as a reminder to political parties in the parliament that their right to rule was not absolute.

“They have been sent to the parliament by the people. They should think twice before putting in place constitutional provisions allowing the military to encroach upon the domain of the judiciary,” the AWP said in a statement issued with reference to the dismissal of a democratically elected government and imposition of martial law by General Ziaul Haq on July 5, 1977.

The statement said that thousands of people had sacrificed their lives to strengthen democracy in the country.

The AWP said that in submitting to the doctrine of necessity in establishing military courts in the country, the ruling party had disrespected these sacrifices.

Pakistan Peoples Party

The Peoples Students’ Federation and the Pakistan Peoples Party arranged a seminar at Alhamra Hall, The Mall, to observe July 5 as ‘black day’.

Speaking on the occasion, PPP general secretary Latif Khosa said the party would continue to mark the day to protest against the martial law imposed by Zia. He said remnants of Zia were still hogging political space. He said PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was determined to counter those trying to weaken democracy.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2015.