KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Information, Transport & Mass Transit, Labour & Human Resources Syed Nasir Shah has said that 5th July has been marked as one of the darkest days in Pakistan when a betrayer dictator and stooge General Zia overthrew democratically-elected government of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and dragged the country into an unending agony, chaos, usurpation and blood-shed. “From heroin to Kalashnikov cultures, dictator Zia sow the seeds of extremism and terrorism in the country to sustain his dictatorial and cruel rule,” he stated as Pakistani masses observe 40th anniversary of the Black Day. Syed Nasir Shah said that sapling of democracy planted and nourished by Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was uprooted by a military dictator abetted by the extremist elements and their foreign masters. Gen Zia and his accomplice went into the dark pages of history always haunting the democratic nations how such ugly dictatorships ruin the future of their countries. “The scourge of extremism, terrorism, drug-addiction, poverty and poor economy are all chickened out from the eggs laid by the dictatorship on July 05, 1977,” he added. He paid rich tributes to Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and thousands of Party workers for their valiant fighting against the dictatorial regimes eventually sacrificing their lives in the struggle for the emancipation of Pakistan masses. Thousands more were subjected to inhuman treatments including lashes and jails for standing with the PPP leadership. He said that both Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto gave nuclear programme, base of heavy industries including Heavy Mechanical Complex, Pakistan Steel, Port Qasim, missile programmes but they were eliminated by anti-Pakistan elements fearing rise of a Muslim nation with plural and egalitarian values. Minister Information said best tribute to the martyrs of democracy and human rights is to support the operation against terrorists who are the direct products of Gen Zia and his regime and pose serious threat to our country and nation. He assured the democratic forces that his Party will always stand like iron-wall against the dictatorial forces and continue its legacy of being in forefront for protection and safeguarding the democratic system and people’s human rights. Published in Daily Times, July 5th , 2017.