Adil Najam
Today is April 4, the death anniversary of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto – founder of PPP, President and Prime Minister of Pakistan, and one of the most iconic figures (whether you like him or not) in Pakistan’s history. He was hung to death on April 4, 1979, during the military rule of Gen. Mohammad Zia ul Haq. In this historic video, Gen Zia-ul-Haq explains and defends the trial of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.
There is much, too much, in this video that is still pertinent today: the role of the military in politics, Gen. Zia’s promise of early elections, the role of a “free” judiciary, views on “justice must be done,” and so much more. Do please let us know what emotions this evokes in you.
For more on the life and death of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto also see our 2008 post on his death anniversary and a post of historic photographs of Mr. Bhutto during this trial.
Zia was a cunning, lying scum but he was only worst of the lot. The harm done by the overthrow of legitimate civilian governments by military generals (Ayub, Yahya, Zia, Musharraf) have contributed most to the weak foundations of the Pakistani state. I hear some limited section of the urban middle classes clamoring again for a strongman. It is my conviction that the next military government (if it ever comes) will signal the end of Pakistan as a functioning state. As poor as the current civilian governance is, big institutional issues like NFC, provincial autonomy and constitutional correction are taking place with political consensus. Of course, if governance does not improve (inflation, energy crisis, poverty reduction) we may not have the opportunity to put Pakistan on the right path but democratic governance demands the patience and full support of the people of Pakistan. No other alternative will work.
Some comments from the ATP Facebook Page:
– “Bhutto is the murderer of father of Ahmad Raza Qassori…….”
– “Zia was a cold blooded killer. This video is fascinating to watch. He talks about judiciary and justice but he was really thinking about his own power and he had decided he would murder Bhutto.”
– “Whatever Mr. Bhutto’s sins, and there were many, what happened to him was murder by Zia.”
– “all the craps generals who were presidents of pakisatn yayha,zia,ayub,musharaf all sold our country to usa and jews democracy is good but todays democracy is more horrible than dictator ship…
may be if bhutto was alive today the condition of pakistan wuld not be like today it is…
atleast he was the one who faces america by seeing into their eyes…he was the one who give free lands to farmers…he was the one who finish private sector nowdays private sector is main responsible for mehngai…”
– “May Allah swt curse Zia ul-Haq to the fiery depts of Hell and may his offspring Talibanic scum suffer the same fate.”
– “Pakistsn ki rewait hn riaya hakim ko mar dita hn same how”
– “pakistan main hakim ko marnay ke rawaiyat i pray k phir zinda hu jay ameen. aur un k napak lalach bharay jismo ko kutay noch k kahian”
– “hmm abi tk ghulami ki zanjeero mai jakrai hvai hai….”
– ” haha bhuto azadi dany aya tha.. democracy ki… wah… Kash wo aik bar Pakistan ko Qaid ka pakistan banany ki baat krta to wo aj azeem insan hota…”
I sometimes wonder what would have happened if Bhutto had not been killed. How might history have unfolded in Pakistan!
I think this Topic can also include a YouTube video featuring Colonel Rafi who was present during ZAB’s final days of imprisonment as well as during ZAB’s hanging. That video must be shown prominently every 4th April, every year to get a more personal account of what happened.
Rest in Peace, ZAB.
PS. I think there is a new political party in Pakistan called ‘Pakistan Muslim League-Zia’ (PML-Z) being led by Zia ul Haq’s son Ijaz ul Haq. FYI.
Obaid, not sure what you are talking about. A repeal of the 8th ammendment is part of the 18th ammendment just agreed