Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has labeled the July 5, 1977 military coup as the darkest day in the country’s history, declaring it a moment when democracy was ambushed and the nation plunged into darkness.
In a post on social media platform X, Bilawal stated that July 5 sowed the seeds of hatred and division through dictatorship-effects still evident in Pakistan’s political, social, and national consciousness.
“It is time we move beyond hatred, chaos, and personal rule, and instead embrace unity, tolerance, and constitutional supremacy,” he said. He added that democracy must prevail to secure a peaceful and progressive future for coming generations.
Separately, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that July 5, 1977 marks the darkest chapter in Pakistan’s democratic journey. On this day, a military regime ousted the elected government of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, trampling over democratic values and public mandate.
He said the removal of Bhutto was not just a political move but a direct attack on democratic principles and the people’s will. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, he added, gave political awareness to the nation, which dictatorships tried to suppress through force.
Shah noted that the Pakistan People’s Party has always resisted authoritarianism with courage and commitment. He said the events of July 5 remind us to continue the struggle for democracy, constitutional supremacy, and protection of public rights.
He stressed the importance of remaining vigilant, as threats to democracy and national stability still persist. Shah concluded by paying tribute to Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto for his enduring contributions and sacrifices.
On July 5, 1977, military dictator General Zia-ul-Haq overthrew the elected democratic government of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, imposed martial law, and suspended Pakistan’s first consensual constitution.
Earlier in March, President Asif Ali Zardari conferred Pakistan’s highest civil award on the late former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, in recognition of his excellence, contributions, and remarkable achievements across various fields.
In a prestigious ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr, President Zardari awarded the Nishan-e-Pakistan-the nation’s highest civilian honour-to the late prime minister and founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). His daughter, Sanam Bhutto, received the award on his behalf, marking a significant moment in the country’s history.
Historically, on March 6, in its opinion on a presidential reference filed by President Zardari, the Supreme Court admitted that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was not given the right to a fair trial-almost 44 years after the founding chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was hanged in a murder case.
A nine-member larger bench of the apex court, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, announced its opinion. The announcement was also broadcast live on the YouTube channel of the Supreme Court.
Chief Justice Isa read out the court’s reserved written order, stating that Bhutto’s trial in the Lahore High Court (LHC) and subsequently in the Supreme Court was not conducted in accordance with the fundamental rights and fair trial guarantees provided by the Constitution.
The larger bench included Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Aminuddin Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi, and Justice Musarrat Hilali.
“The good thing is that the opinion on the presidential reference is unanimous,” said Chief Justice Isa before delivering the verdict. “We cannot move forward without correcting ourselves-until we acknowledge the mistakes of the past,” he added.