Truth Endures Despite All Odds: Raja Pervez Ashraf Praises PPP’s Historic Democratic Struggle at Book Launch
Imran
Karachi
Former Prime Minister of Pakistan and President of the PPP Central Punjab, Raja Pervez Ashraf, has said that speaking, writing, and hearing the truth has always been a difficult task, although the truth eventually reveals itself. He said that Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto enfranchised every adult citizen in Pakistan, giving millions the right to vote, while Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto sacrificed her life fighting for the restoration of the Constitution in its original form.
He said Pakistan today needs love, compassion, and the ability to share one another’s pain. He described Muhammad Khan Abro as a historian of the Pakistan Peoples Party.
He expressed these views on Friday while addressing the launching ceremony of the book “The Travel of Truth” by renowned author and columnist Muhammad Khan Abro at a local hotel, where he was the chief guest.
The ceremony was also addressed by the author Muhammad Khan Abro, President of Karachi Social Forum Mehboob Abbasi, senior writer Madad Ali Sindhi, former Senator and author Yusuf Shaheen, MNA Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Advocate Syed Ghulam Shah and others.
The event was attended by former President of Azad Kashmir Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin, PPP KP President Syed Muhammad Ali Shah Bacha, General Secretary Muhammad Shuja Khan, PPP Central Punjab Information Secretary Shehzad Saeed Cheema, PPP Spain President Chaudhry Ishtiaq, MPA Lal Chand Ukrani, as well as other members of national and provincial assemblies, writers, poets and literary figures.
Raja Pervez Ashraf said a writer’s foremost duty is to write the truth — and doing so is an achievement in itself. He added that whatever Muhammad Khan Abro has written in “The Travel of Truth” is an asset for the PPP.
He said democracy is a beautiful concept — a destination that has been and will remain the nation’s collective aspiration. He noted that during Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s time, the combined population of Pakistan and Bangladesh was 100 million, yet only 80,000 people had voting rights. Bhutto extended the right to vote to every adult citizen, empowering millions.
He said that now, since every citizen has an equal vote, every leader must go to the public.
He credited Zulfikar Ali Bhutto for giving the nation the unanimously approved Constitution of 1973, despite having a parliamentary majority, by including all political forces. He recalled how General Zia-ul-Haq suspended and distorted the Constitution, and how Benazir Bhutto ultimately gave her life fighting for its restoration.
Raja Pervez Ashraf said he learnt politics from Benazir Bhutto, noting that there was a time when people claimed women could not govern — yet today, Punjab is governed by a woman. He said Sindh is a land of affection and that Pakistan now needs love, unity, and shared humanity more than ever.
He lamented the loss of great leaders like Benazir Bhutto, noting that President Asif Ali Zardari restored all powers to Parliament which had been seized by Generals Zia and Musharraf. Referring to India’s recent induction of Rafale jets, he said the world is moving toward internationalism, and Pakistan, too, must listen to all voices before making decisions.
Speaking at the ceremony, author Muhammad Khan Abro said PPP’s MNA Mirza Ikhtiar Baig writes on Pakistan’s economy, while he writes on the contemporary political situation. He said his articles on the PPP have been compiled and translated into English for this book.
He explained that from Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to Benazir Bhutto, from Shahnawaz Bhutto to Murtaza Bhutto, he has documented a continuous saga. He said it takes immense courage to write about sacrifice, and he does not consider himself brave enough.
Recalling the tragic episode following Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s execution, he said officials were even sent to Larkana to “verify” his Muslim identity — a disgraceful chapter in national history.
He said the PPP has produced leaders who saved this country through immense sacrifices, and he compiled and translated his writings because readers abroad wished to access them in English. He said “The Travel of Truth” captures the history of Sindh and the PPP, and that the PPP always fulfils its pledges.
Mehboob Abbasi, President of Karachi Social Forum, said that his organisation has been working in Karachi since 2009 on civil society, health, education, and related sectors. He said the event had gathered many leading writers and intellectuals from Sindh, and that Abro’s book would serve as a guiding light for future generations.
Madad Ali Sindhi, senior writer, said Muhammad Khan Abro is fortunate to have remained connected with books and to have consistently written the truth. He said Sindh played a pivotal role in the creation of Pakistan and that today’s democracy is indebted to Sindh and its people.
Former Senator Yusuf Shaheen said Abro has been writing about the issues of Sindh and Pakistan for many years. He lamented that the promises made to those who created Pakistan have not been fulfilled. He noted that while Pakistan’s 1973 Constitution has undergone 27 amendments, the U.S. Constitution — drafted 250 years ago — has seen only 27 amendments in total.
MNA Mirza Ikhtiar Baig praised the book for addressing subjects directly linked to public issues and their solutions, saying Abro has written on matters essential for society and the nation.
Advocate Syed Ghulam Shah said the book-launch ceremony was unique in its nature, noting that Abro had written on all major issues. He said Abro’s contributions to the rights of Sindhis in Karachi, including his activism in 1988 through the Jeay Sindh platform, could not be forgotten.
Renowned poet Altaf Jatoi also recited his poetry at the event.
