The Sindh government has declared a public holiday on Saturday, April 4, 2026, across the province to mark the 47th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
This comes after the recent Eid al-Fitr holidays. All government offices, autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies, corporations, and local councils will remain closed, except those providing essential services. The provincial government issued an official notification on Monday for this observance.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, fondly called Quaid-e-Awam or the People’s Leader, was the founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). He was born on January 5, 1928, in Larkana, Sindh.
He served as Pakistan’s fourth President from 1971 to 1973 after the 1971 war and the separation of East Pakistan. Later, he became the ninth Prime Minister from 1973 to 1977 under the 1973 Constitution, which he helped introduce.
His government nationalized key industries, started Pakistan’s nuclear program, and hosted the Second Islamic Summit in Lahore. Bhutto was overthrown in a military coup in 1977. He was arrested, tried, and hanged on April 4, 1979, in Rawalpindi Central Jail at the age of 51. \
Many supporters view his death as judicial murder. His daughter Benazir Bhutto later became Prime Minister, and the PPP remains a major political force.
Every year, April 4 is observed as a holiday in Sindh to remember Bhutto’s contributions to democracy and the people of Pakistan. This year marks 47 years since his passing.
The day is expected to see tributes, prayers, and political events by PPP workers.
