New York: Chaudhry Ijaz, a close friend of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, has observed Black Day annually on July 5th at his residence with local PPP activists and media. Continuing this tradition, the Pakistan Peoples Party New York Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Group marked July 5th as ‘Black Day.’ Prominent attendees included Shokat Bhutta, Chaudhry Muddasir, renowned poet Ijaz Bhatti, Khalid Qureshi, Mohsin Zaheer, Farooq Mirza, Syed Zahid Shahbaz, Soban Mirza, Yousf Khan and others.
This event commemorates the 1977 military coup by General Zia-ul-Haq that overthrew the democratic government of Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto—PPP’s founder—and imposed martial law in Pakistan. The PPP regards this day as a dark chapter in Pakistan’s history, marking the suspension of the constitution and rise of dictatorship. The party organizes annual events to condemn the overthrow and honor sacrifices made for democracy.
The Vigilant interviewed participants to document their perspectives.”
Chaudhry Ijaz senior PPP USA members said that, today founding activists observe Black Day to condemn how General Zia-ul-Haq subverted Pakistan’s democracy, seizing power in a midnight coup that overthrew Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s elected government. We protest this historic betrayal today and will never cease our resistance.
The military must renounce political intervention. Allow us the PPP and other parties to serve the people through democratic governance. Reflect on this: Bhutto sacrificed his entire family for Pakistan. First Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, then his sons, followed by Benazir Bhutto and four other kin, all martyred.
Asif Ali Zardari navigates impossible choices. When we question his engagement with the military, he explains: “We advocate democracy, but the system forces accommodation. By working with the army, we inch toward true democracy.” This reluctant compromise is his calculated path forward.
PPP leader and Renowned Poet Ijaz Bhatti said: ‘today we gather at the residence of Mr. Ijaz Farrukh Sahib to observe Black Day. We remember the atrocities committed against Bhutto Sahib by military forces—atrocities that continue to haunt our nation. As Ahmed Sahib wisely said: “Never accept injustice from friends, nor deny their faults.”
We’ve witnessed the battlegrounds where principles were abandoned for power. Where others spared their weapons, we anointed ourselves with our own blood. That struggle persists today. That tradition of resistance endures.
Even now, our democracy is assassinated daily in a Pakistan silenced into submission. We protested yesterday. We protest today. And we warn: as long as we breathe, we will roar for truth. For our homeland—the Islamic Republic of Pakistan—is bleeding from these repeated wounds.
This cycle of oppression continues, but we truth-bearers will persist. Insha’Allah, we shall march forward with these gatherings and amplify our voices. Look around: here stand PPP’s veteran workers—not those who paint our cause black or blue [compromise our ideology], but those protesting with us.
We pray: May Allah heal our nation under this night’s sky. Thank you.'”
Khalid Qureshi said that “I served as the Karachi President of the Peoples Students Federation (PSF). We received the devastating news that Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had been hanged. During Zia-ul-Haq’s regime, I was arrested, imprisoned for four years, and publicly flogged thirty times. Zia-ul-Haq was a cruel ruler who even ordered the flogging of impoverished people. It was an extremely difficult period in my life.
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Ch Mudasir said said that July 5, 1977, remains a dark day in Pakistan’s history. At that time, the nation’s youth—Pakistan’s future—were flourishing. Following Bhutto’s martyrdom, oppression and brutality persisted across the country. Yet the enduring truth is this: Bhutto’s legacy will forever resonate in Pakistan. The political murder committed after his martyrdom is now yielding consequences, unfolding gradually before us. By the grace of God, our mission has triumphed. Today, my greatest joy stems from dedicating the residence of Chaudhry Ijaz Butt—where Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto held her final press conference—as ‘Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto House’ in honor of her enduring legacy.
Shokat Butta talking to the Media Regarding July 5, I would simply state that it was a pivotal day in Pakistan’s history. On January 5, 1928, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was born a leader Pakistan urgently needed. He dedicated himself to serving Pakistan and its people, sacrificing personal comforts to pursue this mission. Through his efforts, he gifted Pakistan a constitution, united the nation after the trauma of 1971, and rose from academia in America to become Pakistan’s Foreign Minister. His unparalleled service proved he was the visionary who could lead Pakistan through crises, even a pandemic like COVID-19.
In America, two groups exist: those who worked with Shaheed Bhutto and stood with the PPP through struggle, and opportunistic elements who joined through patronage MNAs, senators, even CEC members. I declare before all: if granted the opportunity, I will hold these opportunists accountable. They push genuine PPP leaders aside, elevating self-serving individuals who prioritize personal gain over the party’s principles. My comrades know well the character of those who truly serve the PPP past and present.
Yousf Khan said that Zia-ul-Haq’s actions betrayed his purported intentions. He forcibly imposed martial law upon us, defiling Pakistan’s democratic constitution—a sacred document meant to safeguard our rights. Tragically, this pattern persists: Musharraf attempted the same, and today, our military establishment perpetuates this cycle of usurpation.
Divine justice has marked Zia’s legacy. Not only did his reign end in disgrace, but even his earthly remains were denied dignity—a symbolic testament to his undoing. Only consequences endure.”
