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.
@Adnan Siddiqi,
Urdu Feature Films WERE banned for at least some duration on PTV under Zia and I clearly remember him saying that he would ‘consider’ allowing the shows.
I think we can quibble all we want about the quantum of freedom under Zia but I am pretty sure that journalists who were flogged by Zia would have a few things to say about that. Yes, I will grant that Zia did not put a choke on everything like some Middle Eastern tyrants still do, however, Pakistani media was freer in 1977 than it was through the 80s. And, again, no, I will not credit Zia’s 11 long years for the beautiful TV dramas and shows: As I said, we are talking about 1/4th of Pakistan’s history under him and under him there was an inevitable VCR-flux and mass-media viewership of television. Zia still maintained a tight grip. One quick example is that barely 1 year after his death, Pakistan’s first non-PTV channel opened by Benazir. Why couldn’t Zia do that.
Finally, despite my admiration of ZAB, I find no evidence about either the American govt. or the CIA was responsible for ZAB’s execution. I know even Benazir has officially accused the CIA (in ‘The Daughter of the East’ or some other interview?) but I do not agree with her or any other Jiyalas’ accusations. My guess is that, yes, ZAB was disliked by Americans; and, yes, Zia was a better, more manageable ‘partner’ for Americans than ZAB would have been. But I don’t know why ZAB was toppled. My understanding, after watching some YouTube videos in which General Chisti, N.D. Khan etc are present makes me believe that the political crises of 1977 made ZAB think–probably correctly–that Zia was going to launch a coup and ZAB wanted to take-out Zia soon on conspiracy charges. But Zia struck first.
The rest is just history. A very sad one for Pakistan.
A couple of people have tried to point out that ZAB was far from a saint and was, in effect, hoist by his own petard. Unfortunately most of the posters are far too wrapped up in ZABism to understand what an unmitigated disaster he was for Pakistan, one exceeded only by the calamity that succeeded him.
Zia built the edifice but ZAB laid the foundation. If you really look at it objectively, all the Islamic crap that Zia imposed was ZAB’s doing. What Zia did was simply to attempt to put the much-vaunted 1973 Constitution’s Islamic clauses into operation (albeit using an extremely regressive interpretation of Islam–but again, it was ZAB who institutionalized kissing Arab behinds: remember Islamic Socialism?). If you don’t believe me, go read the Constitution.
We can thank America and CIA for getting us rid of Zia-ul-Haq, the worst ruler in the history of Pakistan.”
When we have Ghulam Ibn-e-Ghulams among us who could not come out of mental slavery even after 60+ years after “demise” of British Raj then it’s lame to think something good from the people of this country.
For those who are thanking America, they are quite ignorant about the history itself. ZAB was actually executed because He had become pain in neck in the eye of US. ZAB’s revolutionary steps like organizing Islamic conference, His classic speech in UN after 71 war,declaring Qadyanis as Kaafirs and his attempts to bring economic reforms within Islamic states was not digested by USA. Was it not ZAB along with Shaikh Nahyan who wanted their respective countries as modern as Beirut?
It was USA who was willing to appoint Zia, If I am not wrong, Zia was visiting Jordon at that time and King of Jordan sang his praises so much that he started considering himself something “big”. It’s quite obvious that USA was not willing to see an “Islamic” Bhutto because Bhutto’s plans were quite dangerous for US influence in MiddleEast at that time.
More comments from the ATP Facebook Page:
– “ppp is currupt by its birth bhutto split pakistan is to two just for his government so his death was the revenge of time”
– “Zia deserved the way he died…The father of suicide bombing died himself by exploding into air. And all that was left was his jabra (jaw). Itni humiliation tou Saddam ki bhi nahi hui thi.
We can thank America and CIA for getting us rid of Zia-ul-Haq, the worst ruler in the history of Pakistan.”
– “zye sarey hi aisey marte3y hain par phir bhi paisey ki bhook nae jati…BENAZIR kitna arsa surrey palace main rahi ho gi….per kia kuch nae kia ho ga usey hasil karney k liey…
now this is the time to wake up n say “Enough is Enough” get lost all the politicians…
please spread the real truth….that don’t be utilized by these corrupt people of any party.”
– “bhutto is only good in ppp literature…even the present ppp govt is not following the original charter …and if bhutto was so popular in his time then why he needed to rig 77 elections? he was a civilian dictator…he campaigned for ayub khan against mohtarma fatima jinnah and used to tell the people that you should elect a saddar and not a saddry (female president) but why did his party forces benazir on us?hyproctites…all these idiots”
– “sharam karo tum sab. He gave us atom bomb. Why dont we accept the good things that past leaders have done. . Some call zia ul haq dajjal. and u ppl call bhutto bad. . Nobody is perfect . i personally think that despite all the wrong things that musharaf has done, he was still better than zardari. he did alot for education.”
– “Jiyee Bhutto……”
– “maray bhutto”
Asad:
“Read the comments, or just talk to people. Even many people who do not like Bhutto at all still think it was injustice. It is not just those who loved him.”
You say “think it was an injustice,” not “thought it was an injustice.” This difference is crucial. I was referring to people’s attitudes at the time of the trial and the hanging, not today. As an example of people’s comments that confirm this, check the post by Meengla. He is a strong admirer of ZAB, but says he supported the hanging at that time.
The point I was trying to make was that the country should not be polarized so much as it was towards the end of Zab’s rule. Zab tormented his political opponents very badly, and in return, they hated him so much that they did not oppose Zia when he took over, and could not get themselves to even say Fatiha when Zab was hanged.