LAHORE: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders and workers gathered in Valencia Town to remember those killed in the Karsaz and Liaquat Bagh tragedies, with speakers calling for party unity, stronger public outreach and continued commitment to democracy.

Ashraf Khan, a member of the PPP Central Punjab Finance Committee, hosted the event. PPP Central Punjab leader Chaudhry Aslam Gul attended as chief guest. Party leaders, workers and supporters paid tribute to the victims.

Aslam Gul highlights PPP’s democratic struggle

Addressing the gathering, Aslam Gul said the PPP had made countless sacrifices for the Constitution, democracy and the supremacy of the judiciary and Parliament.

He said Pakistan would not have fallen into its economic difficulties had Zulfikar Ali Bhutto been alive. Referring to former rulers Ziaul Haq and Pervez Musharraf, he said their fate was before the public.

Gul also spoke about injustices suffered by the Bhutto family, referring to Benazir Bhutto and her sons. Paying tribute to those killed in the Karsaz and Liaquat Bagh tragedies, he said the PPP would contest local government elections under Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s leadership.

Naveed Chaudhry urges engagement with young people

PPP leader Naveed Chaudhry said Ashraf Khan had reflected party workers’ sentiments by organising the memorial. He described leaders such as Aslam Gul and Usman Malik as important to the party’s identity.

Chaudhry said Benazir Bhutto had continued to stand with the people despite the Karsaz bombings. He argued that Generation Z valued practical action over stories and that the PPP could engage young people through its work.

He called for stronger public outreach to make the party more active in Punjab. He also criticised comparisons between Punjab’s chief minister and Benazir Bhutto, saying such comparisons required serious reflection.

Chaudhry said Bilawal Bhutto Zardari continued to represent workers’ concerns in Parliament.

Usman Malik calls for consensus and unity

PPP leader Usman Malik said the victims of the Karsaz tragedy could not be forgotten, even after 18 years. He said the party remained committed to government by the people and politics serving the public.

Malik stated that 180 party supporters had been killed in the tragedy 18 years earlier. He said inflation, unemployment and terrorism continued to cause hardship and loss of life.

He added that the PPP continued to make sacrifices to keep the system functioning, while stressing the need for consensus and unity to strengthen the party.

Prayers and candle-lighting conclude gathering

Those attending included Naveed Chaudhry, Usman Malik, Asif Nagra, Umar Sharif Bukhari, Chaudhry Riaz, Fahim Thakur, Zulfiqar Mughal, Mansha Bhatti, Umar Ayaz, Mah Alam, M. Ashraf Tahir, Ramzan Gul and other party leaders and workers.

Ashraf Khan thanked participants for attending. The event concluded with Fateha and the lighting of candles in memory of the Karsaz victims and others who had lost their lives.