Adil Najam
On the first death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto we had carried a post asking “What if she had not been killed?” Today, on the 22nd death anniversary of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (ZAB) it may be a good time to ask the same question about him.
On previous anniversaries of ZAB’s death we have asked you to comment on Mr. Bhutto and his legacy and about the rationale and reasoning given for his death by his nemesis, Gen. Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq. This time let us think a little about what his death meant for Pakistan – and, thereby, for all the rest of us.
Of course, one expects a lot of naara baazi from both his supporters and his detractors. That is merely to be expected. But beyond the black and white slogans there was the man and the legacy of the man that has clearly impacted much of what has happened since his death, especially because of the nature of his removal.
Indeed, one could suggest that there are at least two separate questions here: What might have happened had Zia Ul Haq’s coup not happened and if Bhutto had lived on? And, what might have happened if Bhutto had not been hung after the trial?
How might have the PPP evolved in either of those cases? What would these have meant for Pakistan’s politics as a whole? And Pakistan’s economy and foreign relations? Pakistani institutions?
I am not presupposing any answer, nor am I suggesting that these are questions that can be logically answered precisely. But they may be questions worth thinking about today; not just to speculate about how might have happened, but much more important to think about how our acts of political expediency today can have long and deep shadows – nearly always unintended, quite often consequential, and sometimes historically disastrous even for those who orchestrate them.
If ZAB were alive today, we would buy one roti for Rs300 and enjoy living like beggars.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto: Killer of Bengalese
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was the head of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) in 1971. In the general election of 1970, Bhutto won 88 seats in West Pakistan as opposed to Mujib’s 162 seats out of 169. As per the legislation Mujib was supposed to form the government of Pakistan. According to some Pakistani high officials sources, at first president Yahya was more inclined to hand power over to Mujib.
But Bhutto opposed Yahya’s decision. Bhutto represented the influential feudal lords. Pakistani military-feudal axis vehemently opposed the transference of power. They were afraid that Mujib’s democratic policies may adversely affect the existing feudal system of West Pakistan and curb the power of the top civil and military bureaucrats. So their representative Bhutto invited Yahya in the notorious Larkana meeting and together two shrewd jackals conspired to repress the Bangalees with military means and retain the political power in the hands of the West Pakistanis. This theory is plausible because such a brilliant idea is more likely to emanate from the arch machiavellian: Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Yahya is more given to kill his fellow countrymen to show off his military prowess than formulate a brilliant idea to sort all the problems together: destroy Bangladesh; keep the power in the hands of Bhutto and him; make Niazi and the army the scapegoat of the war in order to divert the attention of the Pakistani people. Tajuddin Ahmed was right to think that Bhutto was the deux ex machina behind the political conspiracy leading to the devastation of Pakistan: “…..Bhutto is responsible for the unprecedented brutality unleashed nationwide. Seating with him is impossible. Tajuddin’s view on Bhutto as described by Rao Forman Ali.
Bhutto manipulated the military monsters (Yahya, Tikka) to secure his power and maintain his vested interest in politics. All through his political career he thrived on conspiracy and intrigues. As often the fate of such treacherous politicians is to end up in the hands of the partners in crime, Bhutto was justified to be hanged by his own Frankenstein: General Ziaul Huq in a murder case registered by one of his own party member Mr.Qasoori against him for killing his father by using government official.
There is need to start criminal investigation against Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto for genocide of Bangalese and crimes against humanity by United Nations.
Had he lived then we would have risen like the Egyptions, Libyans and Yeminese to remove him.
ZA had the heart of a democrat (perhaps) and the mind of a despot.It was the mind that always prevailed.It was the same with his daughter.With AAZ it is neither heart nor mind;it is MONEY period.
I may or may not comment on the actual question you asked, but when I saw the above picture,following SHAIR of Faiz came out of my mouth reflexly.
Jis dhuj se koi maqtal me gaya wo shaan salamat rahti hai
ye jaan to aani jani hai ais jan ki hoi baat nahi.
INJUSTICE BEGETS INJUSTICE
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto did INJUSTICE to reciters of Kalima-Shahada in 1974.
INJUSTICE was done to Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in 1978-1979 in High Court and Supreme Court of Pakistan. He was first victim of injustice in murder trial of any Pakistani murder suspect. He was first Pakistani to get injustice after he gave injustice to other Pakistanis.
In Supreme Court Bhutto asked judges to declare him Muslim because he is reciter of Kalima-Shahada.
Bhutto learned before he was hanged, a Muslim is one who recites Kalima-Shahada.
Allah-O-Akbar.