The Sindh government has announced a public holiday on Friday, April 4, 2025, in remembrance of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Pakistan’s former Prime Minister and founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), on his 46th death anniversary.
A notification issued by the Sindh Chief Secretary confirmed that all government offices, autonomous bodies, corporations, and local councils across the province will remain closed on April 4. This holiday applies to public sector institutions under Sindh’s administration, while private businesses and organizations may operate as usual.
This public holiday follows the Eid-ul-Fitr break, which was observed from March 31 to April 2, allowing for an extended period of national observance and reflection.
To mark the occasion, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) will hold a large-scale political gathering at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, the final resting place of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Thousands of PPP supporters, leaders, and workers from across the country are expected to attend the event, reaffirming their loyalty to the party’s legacy and paying homage to their leader.
Senior PPP figures will address the gathering, highlighting Bhutto’s contributions to Pakistan’s democracy, economic policies, and the empowerment of the working class. The annual event serves as both a tribute to Bhutto’s political ideology and a platform to discuss the party’s future vision.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was executed on April 4, 1979, at Rawalpindi’s Central Jail, after the military regime of Gen Ziaul Haq upheld a controversial death sentence against him on murder charges. His execution remains one of the most debated events in Pakistan’s political history, with many considering it a judicially motivated decision rather than a fair trial.
Following his execution, Bhutto was laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, Larkana, where his family mausoleum now stands as a symbol of his enduring political legacy. His leadership, which saw the nationalization of industries, the drafting of Pakistan’s 1973 Constitution, and efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s nuclear program, continues to shape political discourse in the country.
Notably, President Asif Ali Zardari, the current supreme leader of the PPP, is unlikely to attend this year’s memorial gathering due to health concerns. Zardari has been placed in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19 and is currently receiving medical care at a private hospital.
According to Dr. Asim Hussain, Zardari is under strict observation by infectious disease specialists, with regular medical evaluations being conducted.
“The president’s health is being closely monitored, and as a precaution, all in-person meetings have been strictly restricted,” Dr. Asim stated, emphasizing the need for careful medical supervision during his recovery.
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