LAHORE:  Pakistan People's Party Member of National Assembly Ali Qasim Gilani has stated that Pakistan's nuclear capability is the sole guarantor of its sovereignty, asserting that without nuclear weapons, the country could have faced the same fate as Venezuela, where the elected president was removed by external forces.

Speaking at a ceremony held at the PPP Johar Town office following a rally that began from Thokar Niaz Baig, Gilani emphasized that Pakistan remains secure today because of the nuclear and missile technology developed under the leadership of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. He argued that had the founder of the PPP not transformed Pakistan into a nuclear power, any country could have interfered with its leadership. However, he added, no nation can now challenge a nuclear-armed Pakistan. According to Gilani, this reality underscores the critical importance of strong national defense.

The ceremony also featured addresses by PPP leaders Faisal Mir and Majeed Ghauri. Earlier in the day, a vibrant rally was organized in celebration of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's birthday. The procession, coordinated by Mir and Ghauri, traveled from Thokar Niaz Baig to Johar Town and included participants in cars, motorcycles, and rickshaws. The rally was marked by enthusiastic displays of the PPP's tricolor flag, with participants chanting slogans in praise of Bhutto and performing traditional bhangra dances. The procession received a grand reception at Canal View, Mughal Eye Hospital U-Turn, and Johar Town.

Hundreds of party workers and supporters took part in the rally, including Shahida Jabeen, Sabt Hassan, Khurram Farooq, Shahbaz Durrani, Waris Joya, Ghulam Hussain, Malik Abid, Adeel Abbasi, Haji Rafaqat, Riyaz Jatt, Ahmed Ghuman, Rana Ikram, and Abdul Rehman Lodhi, among others.

In his address to the rally, MNA Ali Qasim Gilani expressed his gratitude to Faisal Mir, Majeed Ghauri, and the dedicated workers of NA-127 for organizing the successful event. He credited Pakistan's missile technology, developed during the PPP era, for the country's ability to defend itself against India. Reflecting on the recent political crisis in Venezuela, where the elected president was deposed, Gilani said his thoughts immediately turned to Bhutto and the foresight he demonstrated in making Pakistan a nuclear state. He remarked that regardless of any internal challenges the country may face, democracy prevails, and no other leader has matched Bhutto's contributions to the Kashmir cause.

Gilani announced that the PPP and the people of Lahore would hold a large rally on Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5. He further highlighted that Shaheed Bhutto gave the nation its constitution, a strong defense, and voting rights for the common people. He noted that before the 1973 constitution, ordinary citizens did not have the right to vote, and he described the protection of this right as a sacred trust for the new generation. Expressing optimism about the party's prospects in Lahore, Gilani stated that the future of the PPP in the city is bright and expressed hope that Bilawal Bhutto would soon address a major rally in Lahore.

Faisal Mir, in his remarks, drew a comparison between Shaheed Bhutto and revolutionary leader Che Guevara, stating that Bhutto never compromised on the rights of the people. He expressed appreciation for every worker of the PPP and acknowledged the sacrifices made by the Gilani family for the restoration of democracy in Pakistan. Mir praised Bhutto for sacrificing his life for his ideology without ever yielding to pressure.

Majeed Ghauri thanked MNA Ali Qasim Gilani for attending the event and expressed his gratitude on behalf of the party workers. At the conclusion of the ceremony, a cake was cut to mark the 98th birthday of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, celebrating his enduring legacy and contributions to the nation.