A ceremony was held at the Peoples Secretariat in Lahore under the auspices of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Print Media Group to commemorate the birthday of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. The event was organized by Dr. Zarrar Yousaf, Coordinator of the PPP Print Media Group. Several prominent party leaders attended, including Tariq Khurshid, Dr. Khalid Javed Jan, Rana Sharafat, Jabbar Nasir, Raza Afaq, Khalid Bhatti, Comrade Tahir, Bakhtiar Ahmed, Abdul Aziz, Chaudhry Sajjad Nazeer, Ammar Shah, Raja Arshad, Humaira Latif, Nabeel Nasir, Atif Khokhar, and Shan Zainab.  

 

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Khalid Javed Jan stated that some individuals are remembered more profoundly in death than in life. He emphasized that the PPP brought politics out of drawing rooms and into the streets and markets of Pakistan. Highlighting the significance of Pakistan’s nuclear program, he noted that recent events have underscored the country’s need for an atomic bomb. He also described China’s support as crucial for Pakistan in South Asia, warning that without Beijing’s backing, the nation could have faced severe challenges. Additionally, he remarked on the declining global dominance of the United States, calling it a "falling power."  

 

Dr. Zarrar Yousaf stressed the need for hard work to advance the PPP’s mission. Rana Sharafat urged the party to rid itself of opportunists and focus on improving the economic conditions of the masses, stating that success would otherwise remain elusive. Raza Afaq declared that Benazir Bhutto’s political struggle overshadowed even the premiership itself. Ammar Shah pointed out that the party’s weakness in Punjab stemmed from a lack of clear messaging. He emphasized that Benazir Bhutto was not just a leader for specific constituencies but for both men and women, urging the PPP to uphold her vision.  

 

Ammar Shah also highlighted a generational gap within the party due to insufficient engagement with the youth. Criticizing the "South Punjab" slogan, he argued that it had inadvertently benefited the PML-N. Humaira Latif recalled how Benazir Bhutto united workers and instilled hope among the impoverished.  

 

Speakers at the event noted that Pakistan today stands tall globally due to Benazir Bhutto and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s contributions to nuclear and missile technology. Benazir Bhutto’s advocacy for women’s rights at local, parliamentary, and international forums was also commemorated. The ceremony concluded with speeches by Khalid Bhatti, Jabbar Nasir, Nabeel Nasir, and Shan Zainab.