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.
Respected Dr. GN Kazi sahib:
When do you think Pakistan Supreme Court will order ANY CITIZEN of Pakistan that hold belief, the same belief that President of Pakistan and Prime Minister of Pakistan profess in their oaths to their respective offices, should be considered a Muslim, and Supreme Court will STOP Pakistan passport and national identity card authorities from writing religion of such citizens other than a Muslim/ Islam. To help you recall oath of Pakistan’s President and Prime Minister worded in Pakistan’s 1973 constitution:
Oath of office of The President:
President
[Article 42]
(In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.)
I, ____________, do solemnly swear that I am a Muslim and believe in the Unity and Oneness of Almighty Allah, the Books of Allah, the Holy Quran being the last of them, the Prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the last of the Prophets and that there can be no Prophet after him, the Day of Judgment, and all the requirements and teachings of the Holy Quran and Sunnah:
Oath of office of The Prime Minister:
Prime Minister
[Article 91( 4)]
(In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.)
I, ____________, do swear solemnly that l am a Muslim and believe in the Unity and Oneness of Almighty Allah, the Books of Allah, the Holy Quran being the last of them, the Prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the last of the Prophets and that there can be no Prophet after him, the Day of Judgment, and all the requirements and teachings of the Holy Quran and Sunnah:
Thanks.
San Franciso, USA.
fair mind – thanks for raising that important issue. It is important to point out that the Supreme Court unanimously ordered the removal of these remarks in their judgment. The Lahore High Court headed by a narrow minded person, almost keen to demonstrate his bias, had clearly over-stepped its mandate. The four Supreme Court judges at least made a show of neutrality while sanctioning the worst injustice in Pakistan’s history.
The sins of Zia ul Haq are much greater than just murdering Bhutto.
ZAB, a victim of injustice, whose foundations were laid by him.
When Z.A.Bhutto was on trial he was accused of being a “Muslim in name only”. This accusation was levelled by the Lahore High Court Judgment against him of March 1978. Bhutto was very bitter about this, as he has himself stated in his book “If I am assassinated” which you can download easily from the website:
I also have the following reference from the time when he appealed against his death sentence to the Supreme Court:
“He [Bhutto] said that it was an acknowledged principle that the person who recites the Kalima is a Muslim, and no one has the right to call him a non-Muslim. Citing an instance, chairman [of the People’s Party] Bhutto said that Abu Sufyan, a great enemy of the Holy Prophet, was brought to him. He claimed to have recited the Kalima, but the Holy Prophet’s Companions argued that he had not done it with his heart, and they wanted to kill him. But the Holy Prophet said that as he had recited the Kalima, he was now a Muslim, and could not be harmed.”
(Urdu Daily Masawat, Lahore, Wednesday 20 December 1978, front page, column 1)
He said this in reply to the accusation that he was “a Muslim in name only”.
So before the end of his life Bhutto discovered the true definition of a Muslim and himself presented it in court.
ZAB became victim of injustice in society whose foundations were laid by him in 1974. I’m referring to 2nd constitutional amendment.
@Asad is correct in suggesting that not all people who now find injustice against ZAB were supportive of ZAB during the 70s.
I myself am from those. Here is my own memory of the events surrounding ZAB’s execution. Cross-posted from another Pakistani forum:
http://www.defence.pk/forums/national-political-issues/53077-remembering-za-bhutto.html
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As a young teenager in the late 70’s in Karachi I remember the execution of ZAB; I remember some rumors that ZAB was to be executed on the 4th. I remember I was WISHING that ZAB not be spared the execution. I remembered Pir Pagara’s exhortations to the people to ask for some mercy should ZAB be released….
But, as I grew older, I realized the grave injustice done to ZAB and to Pakistan. He was a flawed leader–and who is not a flawed leader in Pakistan?– but he was a smart, independent,nationalist leader who was determined to make Pakistan progress. There is no doubt in my mind that Pakistan was an independent country which could defy both Superpowers those days.
Rest in Peace, ZAB.
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