LARKANA, Jan 5: Despite the passage of around three decades, the memories of the founder of the Pakistan People’s Party and the former premier, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, is still fresh in the minds of the people and he still rules the heart of millions.

Bhutto gave the masses a voice and had awakened them from deep slumber making them aware of their due rights.

These views were expressed by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah while talking to journalists in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto, where he had arrived to take part in the 81st birth anniversary of Z.A.Bhutto. As the anniversary coincided with Muharram, the event was observed with simplicity in Garhi, the President Housem Naudero and at Al-Murtaza.

Terming the struggle waged by Bhutto unprecedented, Mr Shah that it was Bhutto who had boldly confronted General Ayub Khan for the rights of the people raising the slogan of “Roti, Kapra aur Makaan” that became a symbol of the PPP’s manifesto.

The chief minister said that the very slogan had played a key role in the bringing about a change in the mindset of the masses. Had Bhutto been allowed to complete his tenure, he would have transformed the country into a prosperous state, said Mr Shah.

He said that the slain chairperson of the PPP and daughter of the party founder, Benazir Bhutto, followed the example of her illustrious father and struggled for three decades for the welfare of the masses.

Mr Shah said that Benazir would always be remembered in history for rendering sacrifices for democracy and for laying down her life for the people of her country.

The chief minister and the acting Sindh Governor, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, along with Sindh Law Minister Ayaz Soomoro and Abdul Razzak Soomro, former ambassador to the UAE, participated in Quran Khwani at the mausoleum of Bhutto. They offered fateha and laid wreaths on the graves of Z.A. Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto, Mir Murtaza Bhutto and Mir Shahnawaz Bhutto.

Quran Khwani was also held at the President’s House in Naudero where MNA Faryal Talpur and Sindh Minister for Women Development Taqueer Fatima Bhutto offered prayers for the departed souls. Food was also distributed.

At Al-Murtaza House Quran Khwani was held and food was distributed. Local leaders of the Pakistan People’s Party- SB attended the programme.

The chief minister and the acting governor visited a free eye camp established on the occasion under the auspices of the Peoples’ Doctors Forum in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto.

Ophthalmologists Dr Adul Sattar Wadho, Dr Waheed Memon and Dr Naeem Katpar carried out 100 eye surgeries, said forum leader Dr Karim Khwaja.

The experts examined over 1,000 eye patients suffering from different ailments and provided them with free medicines.

The chief minister announced a grant of Rs200,000 to the forum and the Society for Prevention of Eye Diseases.

He visited the President’s House in Naudero and met MNA Faryal Talpur and other MNAs and MPAs. Mr Shah and Ms Faryal also attended a meeting of the Sindh People’s Students Federation.

Meanwhile, the birth anniversary Mr Bhutto was observed throughout Sindh in a simple manner due to Muharram.

In Hyderabad, PPP district chapter organised a birthday anniversary programme in the district council premises. Quran Khawani was also held on the occasion for the departed souls of late Z.A.Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto. Food was also served among the participants.

Sindh Fisheries Minister and district president PPP, Zahid Bhurgari, attended the programme.

In Thatta, prayers and Quran Khawanis were held in different towns of the district. The main event was held at the party’s district secretariat. Quran Khawani was attended by hundreds of party activists.

District president Arbab Wazir Ahmed Memon, provincial minister for coordination Abdul Jalil Memon, MNA Dr Wahid Soomro and others spoke on the occasion.

The speakers contended that the Quaid-e-Awam gave people courage to stand up and confront dictator. He revolutionised the thought of the people.

In Mirpurkhas, office-bearers and workers of PPP observed birth anniversary of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Quran Khawani were held at Bhittai Cultural hall which was attended by office bearers and workers. Later, food was distributed among the poor.