Pakistan: “Black Day” Observed in Rawalpindi

On 5^th July 1977 general Zia Ul Haq overthrew the government of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in a military coup. He later proceeded to have Bhutto hanged. This year that dark day in 1977 was marked by a day of remembrance in Rawalpindi, where the speakers emphasised the need to carry out the founding socialist programme of the PPP.

On 4^th July 2010 the Rawalpindi Cantt Ward-10 of the Pakistan People’s Party organised a programme to mark the black day of 5^th July 1977 when General Zia Ul Haq toppled the democratically elected Pakistan People’s Party government in a coup d’état, which later led to the judicial murder of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and that of many other PPP activists and workers.

The title of the programme was “Revenge of 5^th July - Socialist Revolution”. The programme was attended by a large number of PPP activists. Raja Imran, General Secretary PPP Ward- 10 was the stage secretary while the chief guest was Sumera Gul, general secretary of PPP women’s wing in Rawalpindi city.

In his opening speech, the deputy general secretary of the Islamabad People’s Lawyers Forum and chief organiser of the PPP Human Rights wing Rawalpindi Division, Malik Sajjad explained the formation of the PPP as the result of the revolutionary movement of 1968-69. He said that in the founding document of the PPP it was clearly stated that the ultimate objective of the establishment of the party was a classless society which is only possible through Socialism. He said that the 5^th July was the result of an incomplete socialist revolution. He said that the only way to avenge the 5^th July and Bhutto and Benazir’s murders is through a socialist revolution.

Faisal Khan from PSF (student wing of the PPP) addressed the gathering and said that Bhuttoism can only lead to Socialism and nothing else. The coup of 5^th July was a counter-attack by imperialism in alliance with the local capitalists and feudals.

Khawar Khan from the Pakistan People’s Party chapter in New York city said that most of the Pakistanis living in USA are from the working class and see the PPP as their hope. He said that he and others are organizing the PPP in the USA just as it is being done here. He said the American working class will stand by the working class of Pakistan when it will rise again under the banner of the Pakistan People’s Party.

Afzaal from the Rawalpindi Railways Carriage Factory said that he had not seen Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto but believes in the ideology of Socialism. Former additional general secretary of the PPP PP-10 Rawalpindi constituency said that Bhutto formulated the constitution of 1973 which was later destroyed by Zia Ul Haq. It is an irony that today the political offsprings of Zia are claiming to be the champions of the constitution.

Raja Imran said that democracy alone cannot solve the burning issues and fundamental problems of the masses. Only a socialistic planned economy, free from capitalism and feudalism can do that as explained in the founding document of the PPP.

In the end the chief Guest Sumera Gul said in her speech that Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto never compromised on his ideology even in his death cell. He preferred to go to the gallows than to make a deal with a military dictator. The ideas of Bhuttoism, still live on in the hearts and minds of the workers, peasants and poor of this country as Socialism and there are no power strings strong enough to kill this ideology. Amongst the distinguished guests were Rana Abid, Divisional General Secretary Pakistan People’s Lawyers Forum, comrade Qarni and Malangi from the PSF and comrade Zafarullah.

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