PESHAWAR: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Sunday termed July 5, 1977, one of the darkest days in Pakistan’s democratic history, saying the overthrow of an elected government on that day undermined the Constitution, democracy and the people’s mandate. In a statement issued on the occasion, the Governor said July 5 is observed every year as “Black Day” to renew the pledge to uphold democratic values, constitutional supremacy and the people’s right to rule. He said Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto had provided Pakistan with a unanimous Constitution, a strong foreign policy and awareness of public rights, while military rule had inflicted serious damage on the country’s democratic evolution. Kundi said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had always struggled against dictatorship and rendered countless sacrifices for the restoration and strengthening of democracy. He said following the assassination of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, President Asif Ali Zardari had raised the historic slogan of “Pakistan Khappay,” while PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was continuing the mission of Shaheed Bhutto by working for constitutional supremacy, democratic stability, public welfare and the protection of democratic values. APP
