ISLAMABAD - Pakistan People’s Party Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari yesterday said that the PPP will defeat the anti-democratic forces. “The PPP is steadfast on its founding philosophy and manifesto,” said the former President, who also heads the PPP Parliamentarians in his message on the 54th Founding Day of the party. He said Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto had struggled for a parliamentary system in the country and had given the country a parliamentary system. “Today, we renew our commitment to fully defend the parliamentary system. A powerful parliament and people’s right to sovereignty will not be compromised and the thinking that hates democracy will be defeated. Islam is our religion, socialism is our economy, democracy is our politics and all the power is to the people. The PPP always came to power with the power and votes of the people, our priority has been only to make life easier for the people,” Zardari said. He paid homage to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto and all those brave workers who sacrificed their lives for the sake of constitution and democracy, enduring the pain of imprisonment.

 “Today, the PPP is resisting two kinds of thinking, one that is of those who hate democracy and the other is of extremists who are trying to impose their will on the people. That is why the country, constitution and democracy are most dear to the leadership and workers of the PPP. The Pakistan People’s Party rebuilt this country, gave the country a constitution and gave democratic rights to the people,” Zardari said. The former President said that the sacrifices of PPP for the country and democracy are undeniable facts. 

“The 18th Amendment is the fulfilment of the mission of Benazir Bhutto and also the democratic revenge against the enemies of democracy. All democrats, including the PPP, have a duty to protect the 18th Amendment,” he added.

He said PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is in the field to fulfill the dream of his grandfather and great mother. “The dream is to make the country a truly democratic and welfare state where the oppressed and economically weaker people have equal rights over the fruits of the state. We want to make Pakistan a country and a society free from poverty, unemployment, economic misery, ignorance, extremism and intolerance,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that after a long struggle and unprecedented sacrifices, only the PPP can pave the way for democracy in Pakistan.

“Only PPP’s manifesto and strategy can make the homeland of 220 million Pakistanis a truly democratic and welfare state,” he said.

In a message on the 54th foundation day of the party, the Chairman PPP said that the PPP was a revolutionary movement based on the ideology of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the philosophy of Benazir Bhutto, and the struggles and sacrifices of many generations.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that even in face of the most difficult circumstances, PPP had given the country and the nation a rich strategic gift, including the country’s first unified constitution, nuclear program guaranteeing invincible defense and missile technology, provincial sovereignty, and agrarian and economic reforms. Other hallmark achievements of PPP include making Pakistan the hub of the Islamic world politically by organizing Islamic Summit and Pak-China friendship, the CPEC project.

“Today, I salute all the jiyalas who sacrificed their lives for the cause of democracy, endured the hardships of imprisonment, deportation, and undemocratic forces, and also faced sponsored media trials,” stated Chairman PPP.

Bilawal said that party officials and workers possess the unwavering courage and determination to carry out the unfinished mission of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto. They are the ones who are breathing a new life into their struggle. “Today, we renew our commitment to continue fighting for the rights of the people, the emancipation of women, the inclusion of minorities in the national mainstream, the empowerment of democratic institutions, the rule of law, and the well-being of the people of this nation,” promised Chairman PPP.

Meanwhile, the PPP is set to organize a rally in Peshawar today to celebrate its foundation day. PPP Secretary General Nayyar Bukhar said no one can stop the PPP gathering.

“We will mark the day. The government is creating obstacles but they will fail,” he said.