A large number of the photographs in the F.E. Chaudhry Collection are of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto during the time of the Bhutto Primiership. None are more riveting for those interested in Pakistan’s history than the one of Mr. Bhutto’s trial in the Lahore High Court during 1978.
In the last installment from the F.E. Choudhry Gallery we brought you scenes of public agitation from outside the Lahore High Court where Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s trial was proceeding. Today we bring you some amazing photographs from inside the Lahore High Court.
These pictures are amazing indeed. If you did not know of the context you would never guess that the smartly dressed, confident, self-assured man in all of them is the “accused” being led by his captives to court. It truly reminds one of Faiz Ahmad Faiz’s immortal verse:
jiss dhajj say koee maqtal meiN gaya
woh shaan salamat rehti hai,
Yeh jaan tou aani jaani hai
iss jaan ki koee baat nahiN
If one did not know of the context one could easily assume that this is a confident Prime Minister, walking with his head held high, accompanied by his security detail. Instead, what it actually is a deposed Prime Minister being taken to court for a mock trial by the dictator who disposed him and surrounded by his captors and guards. He walks elegantly and confidently in and out of the court while police escorts follows keeping a respectful distance as if led by Mr. Bhutto into a state function.
These four photographs attest to Mr. Bhutto’s sense of dress and decorum, but even more to his sense of history. Each one rivals the others in terms of Bhutto’s formal attire. Of course, Mr. Bhutto knew the fate that awaited him and in some ways he dressed not just for that moment, but for that fate. His sense of defiance was reflected through his choice of clothes and his calm, confident and self-assured appearance.
All these photographs from chacha F.E. Chaudhry, but especially this next one, also demonstrate what leadership really is. It comes not just from the office but from the person. It is the police that is supposed to be “leading” Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto to court, and he who is supposed to be “following” them. Instead, it is very clear for all to see who is “leading” whom. Those with the guns and batons are “following” the dictates of a dictator. Those whose spirit they are meant to break, a man of many faults no doubts, walks with his head held high because he “leads” with his conscience.
Ah, Z A Bhutto…
The great seducer. Possibly the most successful politician in Pakistan’s history.
And not because of what he achieved for the country… Because he achieved nothing at all. He was successful because to this day a blind people still hail him as a great leader.
He has you all still seduced. It comes as no surprise to me though. Only in a country where the people are unable to see through men like this, could you ever find a Zardari in power right now.
Shame on you Pakistan, I know you and your people will always be a disappointment.
Do yourselves a favour, read some history. Read about Ayub Khan, and then you will understand what makes a real leader. Not an usurper of the masses like this criminal Bhutto was.
July 5 was a sad reminder of what a beautiful career was cut short.
Historic photograph. This whole series is great in bringing back memories. Thank you Mr. Nadeem for brining back memories.
These pictures show why the Bhutto name still carries so much support. Look at him, anyone would want to follow him!
I am sorry to say that his daughter never really lived up to her father’s image. And Zardari certainly does not. BUt maybe the memories of ZAB are still strong enough to keep the PPP flying high.
@Faiz-o-Jalib PPP/ATP say mukhatib:
Jab say tu nay mujhay diwana bana rakha hey,
Sang her shakhs nay, haton mein utha rakha hay
This is the Faiz verse I think of when I see these pictures:
muqaam Faiz koee rah mein jacha he nahin
jo koo-e-yaar say niklay, tou soo-e-daar challey
Excellent series of photographs. Just saw some of the earlier ones from FE Choudhry also and I think they are all outstanding. Great thing you are doing by serializing this historic record.
Why do people not comment on the post and try to take it into one or other direction depending on their own politics. This is about the photo-journalism of F.E. Chaudhry and instead of commenting on the photographs people are just giving the ghissa pitta stories that one has heard a thousand times and doing their propaganda. Yaar, if people did not agree with you the first time, they won’t do now!!!!
Thank you ATP, for carrying this series, and Thank you Nadeem Sahib for digging these up. Whatever any propagandist thinks of ZA Bhutto — those who love him as well as those who hate him — the fact is that he is an important part of our history and that is what this post is really about–an amazing pictoral documentation of our history.
My Dear The Truth,
I am reproducing the two paragraphs from Bhutto’s letter to Iskander Mirza.
My dear Sir
Only a few lines to let you know that I am discharging my responsibilities here to the best of my ability. I shall write you a detailed report of my work on my return to Pakistan and I am sure you will be satisfied with the manner in which I have done my humble best to serve the interests of my country and my president.
I would like to take this opportunity to reassure you of my imperishable and devoted loyalty to you. Exactly four months before the death of my late father, he had advised me to remain steadfastly loyal to you, as you were not an individual but an institution. For the greater good of my own country, I feel that “your services to Pakistan are indispensable. When the history of our country is written… your name will be placed even before that of Mr. Jinnah. Sir, I say this because I mean it and not because you are the president of my country.
Read it carefully. This is not run of the mill political comment.
My plea is to see the words and deeds before wasting your words of praise. I am sad by the way Bhutto conducted himself when he entered the politics, when he was in the Ayub government and when he was himself all in all. He could have done so much for this country but did not, because he wanted power for good, which in democracy is not possible.
Malik