Former president Asif Ali Zardari has paid a glowing tribute to the founder of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) for his lifelong services for democracy and empowerment of the people, 24NewsHD TV channel reported Sunday.

In his message on the death anniversary of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the PPP co-chairperson said: “Zulfikar Ali Bhutto stood firm for independence, sovereignty, and people’s prosperity. 

The message read: “He never bowed to dictatorship and opted for sacrificing his life.  His family, fans, and followers have been standing firm against dictatorship.

“He constituted the 1973 Constitution. His daughter, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, kept his struggle on and did not hesitate to lay her life for the cause. “We are following in their footsteps and this day reiterates our resolve to continue with the public welfare struggle.

“The people are talking about their constitutional rights and the credit goes to the Bhutto family that set the precedent of protecting people’s rights by making sacrifices. “Their sacrifices are unpreceded and they have no match in the political history of the world."

“The PPP co-chairman added:  “Zulfikar Ali Bhutto made people realize that they have the power of the vote and they have the right to bring the people of their choice to the power corridor. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto made the country a nuclear power.”

Asif Ali Zardari laid stress on following in the footsteps of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to cope with the challenges being faced by the country.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto served the state as president from 1971 to 1973 and prime minister from 1973 to 1977. In 1979, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was executed by the military regime of General Ziaul Haq who overthrew his government and put him on trial on murder charges.