LAHORE: A ceremony in memory of the martyrs of the Karsaz tragedy was organized in Valencia Town, Lahore, under the auspices of Ashraf Khan, a member of the Finance Committee of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Central Punjab.
The chief guest at the event was Chaudhry Aslam Gill, a leader of the PPP Central Punjab. Party leaders, workers, and loyalists (jiyalas) attended the event to pay tribute to the martyrs of the Karsaz and Liaquat Bagh tragedies.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Fateha (prayers) was offered for the souls of the martyrs, and candles were lit. Addressing the gathering, Chaudhry Aslam Gill stated that the Pakistan Peoples Party has struggled for the supremacy of the Constitution, democracy, the judiciary, and the Parliament, making countless sacrifices along the way.
He remarked that had Zulfikar Ali Bhutto been alive today, Pakistan would not be trapped in an economic quagmire. He noted that the ultimate fate of Zia-ul-Haq and Pervez Musharraf is now evident to everyone.
He highlighted the atrocities committed against the Bhutto family, including the martyrdom of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and her sons. Paying tribute to the martyrs of the Karsaz and Liaquat Bagh tragedies, he affirmed that the PPP, under the leadership of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, will rise to the challenge of the local government elections.
PPP leader Naveed Chaudhry, also addressing the event, remarked that by organizing this memorial for the Karsaz martyrs, Ashraf Khan has truly reflected the sentiments of the party’s loyalists. He described leaders like Chaudhry Aslam Gill and Usman Malik as the very identity of the Pakistan Peoples Party.
He further noted that despite the bomb blasts at Karsaz, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto remained steadfast alongside the people. He added that today’s “Generation Z” values practical action over mere stories; therefore, the PPP can engage the youth by involving them in its active, practical politics.
The party can be made more active in Punjab by intensifying public outreach. Naveed Chaudhry further remarked that the Chief Minister of Punjab should think a hundred times before comparing himself to the late Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed.
Even today, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari serves as a powerful voice for party workers within the Parliament. In his address, Peoples Party leader Usman Malik stated that, even after 18 years, the martyrs of the Karsaz tragedy have not been forgotten.
The Peoples Party continues its struggle based on the principle of establishing a government of the people, for the sake of the people. He noted that 180 jiyalas (loyalists) were martyred in the Karsaz tragedy 18 years ago; meanwhile, the public today continues to face hardships and loss of life due to inflation, unemployment, and terrorism.
He added that the Peoples Party has consistently made sacrifices to sustain the system, yet there remains a need to foster unity and cohesion to further strengthen the party.
The event was attended by Naveed Chaudhry, Usman Malik, Asif Nagra, Umar Sharif Bukhari, Chaudhry Riaz, Faheem Thakur, Zulfiqar Mughal, Mansha Bhatti, Umar Ayaz, Mah Alam, M. Ashraf Tahir, Ramzan Gul, and various other party leaders and workers.
Ashraf Khan, the host of the event, thanked the attendees for their presence. The proceedings concluded with the recitation of Fatiha for the martyrs of Karsaz and other martyrs, followed by the lighting of candles.
Reported By: Staff Reporter I Lahore
