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.
I think its pretty evident that time has taken its toll on this Jiala Generation as they are slowly but surely being replaced with a new and aware generation who’s motto is Sab se pehlay Pakistan versus the former who are muslims with a heart of a hindu who is not concerned about issues but is almost always looking for a bhagwan so that he can bali his life over to this god.
It’s about time we mature out of this tribal mentality to shift our focus away from the Saieens, Chaudrys, Waderas, Sardars, Quaids to the key issues that need to be addressed to allow our country to move forward.
Sab se pehlay Pakistan.
Pakistan Zindabad.
Troubel with Pakistan is that we don’t value our assets. We are short sighted hence we fall for short term benefits and this is because we lack vision or visionery leadership. As a nation, we need to learn to protect our assets by being professional and selfish when it comes to national interests of the country.
Those who opposed him are now competing with each other to declare him innocent.When mind gets blocked by narrow vision and hypocrisy Great people like Bhutto are eliminated.Bhuttos death by the hands of his chosen one will remove the word trust from dictionnary.To them who are still biased against him .isnt it enough to see the poisonous fruits now erupting every were which were sownafter him?which are engufing you now.
Bhutto will always be memorized as a “Shaheed” in the history. People come to his tomb and pray for him. On the contrary, Zia’s grave is situated at the “Jabra Chawk” and he would never be recognized as a “Shaheed”.
Lets list a few specifics and see if anyone after the Quaid can match the feat or even come close. Bhutto’s contemporaries generals and politicians were and are pgymies with self sustaining and benefitting selfish agendas and zero vision to destroy Pakistan and its people. Incapable of even leading a muncipality
Can You Deny
1.Picked up a demoralized nation and its shameless armed forces after 71.
2. Gave voice, dignity and self respect to have nots and the down trodden, treated as insects for thousands of years.
3. 1973 Consitution to Pakistan
4. Democratic Dispensation
5. Leadership of Islamic World and Third World.
6. Islamic Summit
7. Heavy Machanical Complex
8. HIT
9. PAC Kamra
10. Tarbela
11. Steel Mill
12. Pakistani poor man power to Middle East and Gulf
13. Middle Class
14. Modernization of Armed Forces.Naval Aviation, Subs, Mirages , MIGS, TOW Anti Tank , T 59/89 Tanks, Crotale Missiles, MPDR Radars, TPS 43 Radar Systems, Modern Air Defence Automated System just to name a few.
15.Atomic Programme
16.Labour Reform
17. Tenant/Hari Reform
18. Industrial Reforms.
19. Land Reforms
20. Dignity to Pakistan At the International arena.
21. China Policy
22. Balls to face the USA and Imperial Powers
23. Simla Agreement and policy towards India as equals.
24. Carries political moving significance after 30 years
25. Still worshiped by the poor
26. Faced death head on like a man with dignity
27. Has become immortal and still lives in hearts.
We are talking specifics. Pl compare and list achievements of others from his era till date. Be Fair !!!!!
regards,
Naeem Abbas