ZA Bhutto remembered on his 38th death anniversary

KARACHI/LARKANA: The 38th death anniversary of former prime minister and founding leader of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Zulfikar Ali Bhutto is being observed today, April 4.

Revered by his followers as Quaid-i-Awam, Bhutto served as the 9th prime minister of Pakistan from 1973 to 1977, and prior to that as the 4th president from 1971 to 1973. He was executed on April 4, 1979, under General Zia regime.

The Sindh government has declared a public holiday in the province on Tuesday, for which a notification was also issued.

All public offices, autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies, corporations and local councils under the administrative control of the Government of Sindh will remain closed today, except essential services, according to the notification.

The PPP will hold a public rally in Garhi Khuda Bux on the occasion, for which party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari have reached Naudero.

All arrangements for the rally have been finalised, while large numbers of PPP workers and supporters have also been arriving in Garhi Khuda Bux to attend the rally.

The rally would start with a Mushaira at 3pm, after which Asif Ali Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto and others will address the PPP loyalists.

The public meeting will be followed by a high-level party meeting at Naudero House. Members of the PPP central executive council will attend the meeting, with party's role in national politics, possible impact of the Panama case verdict, electoral reforms and census on its agenda.

Sources told Geo News that the meeting will also ponder over public gatherings in Punjab and PPP leaders are likely to be tasked with forging electoral alliances.

Around 7000 policemen will be deployed for the security of the rally, besides aerial surveillance. Female cops and traffic police personnel will also discharge duties on the occasion.