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.
Click here for the evolving F.E. Choudhry Gallery at ATP.
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Today is Zulfi Bhutto’s birth anniversary. And the pictures in this post are a great reminder of why he remains the greatest political giant Pakistan has produced. Even for those who hate him, he remains larger than life!
an astonishing and intelligent leader of his time, though he was killed but he will remain forever and ever in the heart of every pakistani. i salute him for his unforgettable deeds. Jeay Bhutto.
Bhutto was a Gr8 Leader & we are very Unlucky to Lost him !!!
nobody ever Replaced him not even his daughter !!
When Socrates was sentenced to death.He was told by his friends to ask for mercy from king–Socrates told to his friends –I will ask life from some body –who will retain it(life) for ever– so –is king going to be immortal? His friend said no–,So socrates told his friend -Why should i ask somebody something(life) which will not remain with him-?-So also Bhutto did not ask for mercy–Zia died a miserable death and he was always boosting- The hand of God is on me.