LARKANA:The Bhutto mausoleum in Garhi Khuda Bux looked deserted on Saturday on the eve of 41st death anniversary of PPP founder and former first democratically elected prime minister of Pakistan Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto as the party has suspended all activities due to coronavirus lockdown in the country. Annually the ground where public meeting is always held is seen filled with the party activists that arrive here in large numbers from all four corners of the country to pay homage to their martyred leader who is still ruling over their hearts but it was a sad day for them today because they were unable to reach here because of pandemic. All the party leaders and workers have been confined to their homes as well because of countrywide lockdown.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari who is staying in Naundero since four days went to Garhi Khuda Bux, offered Fateha at the grave of his grandfather and other Bhutto leaders and prayed for their departed souls.
Bilawal, in his video message, said that millions of party activists used to gather here every year on 4th April to pay tributes to their leader but today he had 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 very 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 citizens.
He said Sindh government is trying its best to help the deserving poverty-stricken masses in Sindh along with other social welfare organizations. He again appealed to philanthropists to come forward to jointly mitigate the sufferings of the poor people. Bilawal said while remaining at home on the advise of doctors, people cane save their lives. He said if the people remained at their homes, then burden will also be reduced on those health workers who are fighting COVID-19 on front line.
He said provinces are looking toward to Center and are hopeful that Center will treat them equally and their needs will be fulfilled. He said all requirements of the provinces are to be fulfilled by the Center including testing kits and provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to all the doctors and paramedics. Bilawal said we all will have to fight coronavirus jointly which is impossible without helping each other.
On the other hand, activists of PPP-SB held recitation from Holy Book at Al-Murtaza House which was followed by distribution of free food. Meanwhile, leaders of Pakistan Peoples Party-Workers including Dr. Safdar Abbasi and Naheed Khan also visited Bhutto mausoleum and offered Dua at the grave of Bhutto leaders.