PPP leaders pay tribute to Karsaz martyrs

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders on Sunday paid tribute to the martyrs of the Karsaz and Liaquat Bagh tragedies at a ceremony held in Valencia Town, Lahore, pledging to continue the party's struggle for democracy, constitutional supremacy and public welfare. Addressing the ceremony, PPP Central Punjab leader Chaudhry Aslam Gill said the party had rendered countless sacrifices for the supremacy of the Constitution, democracy, judiciary and Parliament. He said that had former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto been alive today, Pakistan would not have been trapped in its current economic crisis. He said the sacrifices of the Bhutto family, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and other party leaders and workers would always be remembered. Paying tribute to the martyrs of the Karsaz and Liaquat Bagh tragedies, he said the PPP, under the leadership of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, would face the challenge of the upcoming local government elections. PPP leader Naveed Chaudhry said Ashraf Khan had organised the ceremony to represent the sentiments of party workers and supporters. He said Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had stood by the people despite the deadly bomb blasts at Karsaz. He said the younger generation believed in practical action rather than mere rhetoric, adding that the PPP could attract young people through its political activities and strengthen its position in Punjab by intensifying public outreach. He also said Punjab's chief minister should think carefully before comparing herself with Benazir Bhutto, adding that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari continued to raise the voice of party workers in Parliament. PPP leader Usman Malik said the martyrs of the Karsaz tragedy had not been forgotten even after 18 years. He said 180 PPP workers had lost their lives in the tragedy, while people continued to face hardships due to inflation, unemployment and terrorism. He stressed the need for greater unity and cohesion to strengthen the party further. The ceremony was organised by PPP Central Punjab Finance Committee member Ashraf Khan. Party leaders and workers, including Chaudhry Aslam Gill, Naveed Chaudhry, Usman Malik, Asif Nagra, Umar Sharif Bukhari, Chaudhry Riaz, Faheem Thakur, Zulfiqar Mughal, Mansha Bhatti, Umar Ayaz, Mah Alam, M Ashraf Tahir and Ramzan Gill, attended the event. The ceremony concluded with Fateha for the martyrs and the lighting of candles in their memory. Ashraf Khan thanked the participants for attending.