Daily Times

The mausoleum of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in Garhi Khuda Bux looked deserted on Saturday on the eve of 41st death anniversary of the former prime minister and founder of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) as the party suspended all activities due to coronavirus outbreak in the country.

On April 4 ever year, the ground where public meeting is held would fill with the party activists arriving here in huge numbers from all corners of the country to pay homage to their martyred leader. This year, however, no event was arranged as part of a lockdown enforced to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto, who is staying in Naundero since last four days, went to Garhi Khuda Bux, offered prayers at the grave of his grandfather and other Bhutto family members and prayed for their departed souls.

Bilawal, in his video message on the occasion, said that millions of party activists used to gather here every year on April 4 to pay tributes to their leader but this time “I have come here alone reason of which is the spread of coronavirus pandemic across the world, including Pakistan.”

He said governments across the globe are taking tough decisions to save precious lives of their citizens. He thanked those Pakistani citizens who are donating in this hard time to help the poor. He said Sindh government is trying its best to help the deserving poverty-stricken masses in the province along with other social welfare organizations. He again appealed to the philanthropists to come forward and join hands with the government to mitigate the sufferings of the poor.

Bilawal said while staying at home on the advice of doctors, people can save their lives. He said if the people stay inside, it will help reduce burden on those health workers who are fighting COVID-19 on the front line. He said provinces are looking toward the Centre and are hopeful that the federal government will treat them equally and their needs will be fulfilled. He said all requirements of the provinces are to be fulfilled by the Centre, including testing kits and provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) to all the doctors and paramedics. On the other hand, activists of PPP-SB held recitation from Holy Quran at Al-Murtaza House, which was followed by distribution of free food.

Meanwhile, leaders of Pakistan People’s Party-Workers including Dr Safdar Abbasi and Naheed Khan also visited Bhutto mausoleum and offered dua at the grave of Bhutto family members.