Head of PPP Media Cell
Bhuttoism is embedded in territorial integrity of the country as non-negotiable. It is also a constant pursuit for the ideological perfection while fighting against the forces of fanaticism, intolerance and narrow mindedness. It achieved the first objective by making the country’s defence impregnable. Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto made the country nuclear power and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto equipped the defence with the state of the art missile technology, an essential component of an effective deterrence in our regional perspective. So, two Bhuttos played the leadership role exclusively to deter the aggressive designs of the enemy country. To forge unity within the country, the Great Bhutto gave unanimous constitution to the nation reflective of peoples’ aspirations. The Constitution of 1973 has been the greatest instrument in keeping the federation of the country intact after the debacle of Dhaka, a great tribute to its architect indeed.
Moreover, the Constitution of Pakistan seeks a democratic, progressive and a welfare state of Pakistan with equal rights to all regardless of gender, creed, faith or ethnicity which is essence of Bhuttoism. It is quite in conformity with the objectives of the Constitution which is the core of Mr. Jinnah’s Pakistan. It has special place for minorities and the women folk so far as their empowerment is concerned. It seeks equality and social justice ensuring respectful life to all and sundry. It endeavours to reach out to the democratic forces to strengthen democracy and its continuity. The PPP roles during the sit-in politics and after the 2013 elections are the recent examples of Party’s unequivocal commitment to the democratic system. Bhuttoism stands for good relations with the international community on the basis of mutual respect and mutual interest totally devoid of capitulation. It places special emphasis on the strict maintenance of balance of power between India and Pakistan as a harbinger to peace. It stands for special relationships with Islamic world.
The Great One’s vision of nuclerisation of Pakistan had restored the balance of power, so critical for the sustenance of peace between the two countries, India and Pakistan. Only leader of his stature could foresee the hidden dangers to the security and the independence of the country. Shaheed Benazir Bhutto equipped the country’s defence with the state of the art missile technology to complete the full spectrum defence.
Two Bhuttos enjoyed the singular distinction of making the defence of the country impregnable. Only an elected leadership had the courage to take such a courageous decision and that too in the face of the fierce opposition of the USA. Elected prime minister waded to conduct nuclear tests in 1998 to outnumber India’s. Dictators would have never thought of taking plunge in the realm of nuclear programme for military purposes. For, they considered USA as their master and people of Pakistan as of no consequence. Autocrats would bend backward invariably to comply with the wishes of USA even at the altar of the expense of the people. History of Pakistan is immersed to testify their omissions and commission.
The taking over of the country by General Ziaul Haq in July 1977, the blackest day of Pakistan history, was also perceived to be with the tacit nod of the USA. The country was in fury over the Pakistan’s nuclear programme and Henry Kissinger was on record as having asserted that USA would make Bhutto as the horrible example for his defiance. Dictator’s assuming the reign of the country was the prelude of making the horrible example on the 4th of April 1979 when dictator General Ziaul Haq hanged the most popular and charismatic leader, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. He, in fact, hanged the dreams of the poor of this country who saw in the ‘Great Bhutto’ the answer to their prayers. The nation, and indeed the whole world were stunned when the general turned down the appeals made by world leaders and international personalities including the UN Secretary General of sparing his life. But all these fell on his deaf and dumb ears and murdered the great leader by fabricating “judicial murder”. It was an irreparable loss to the nation as the subsequent abhorrent chain of events those unfolded — fanning of religious extremism, drug and Kalashnikov culture and jumping into the fire of Afghanistan war — had ravaged havocs with the collective destiny of the country. He bequeathed all these evils during his almost eleven year’s autocratic rule. The nation is now facing the existential threat because of the monsters fathered and mothered by Ziaul Haq and had become hydra-headed monsters challenging the state and its institutions in grotesque ways. The nation is deeply engaged in survival war as the legacy of the general had been tightening the noose around the neck of the nation to cut off supply of oxygen to suffocate. Salam to the resilience of the Pakistani nation that had been fighting back resolutely with the spirit to pin down the evil in toto.
Reverting to the murder of the Great One, it may be pointed out here that one of the judges of the then Supreme Court, Nasim Hassan Shah, publically confessed the lacunas in the Bhutto’s judgment those were overlooked by the apex court under the pressure from the autocrat. The dysfunctional of the one of the judges in the then bench during the proceedings should have, under the Judicial Procedure, led to the re-constitution of the bench but it continued its proceedings because top man wanted to see the denouement of his sworn political enemy sooner than later. He was under no illusion that his survival would remain vulnerable so far as the ‘Great Bhutto’ was alive even in the jail cell. The other glaring violation of the due process of law was committed when Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was denied the right of appeal because his case was put on trial at the high court level directly by-passing the Session Court. It may be mentioned here that the PPP leadership had filed reference in the Supreme Court to set the record straight so far as the guilty verdict was concerned. The PPP leadership has filed a reference in the Supreme Court more than couple of years ago but it was still pending because the apex court has not decided yet to adjudicate on the guilty verdict.
General Ziaul Haq had damaged the federation in many ways at the altar of perpetuating his repressive, illegitimate and retrogressive rule. He in fact made major dent in the federation by sending the ‘Great One’ to the gallows as the smaller provinces of the country started feeling very insecure because he asphyxiated their provincial autonomy along with unleashing a reign of terror in the form of hanging, whipping and solitary confinement of the political dissidents. As we say, fear is worst then death. The witch hunting of the opponents was at the abhorrent proportion. The right to appeal was not available under martial law what to speak of habeas corpus. The talk of fundamental rights was considered as a gory crime and the supporters of civil liberties were also put behind bars for indefinite period without trial. It was indeed a tyrannical rule by General Ziaul Haq, of Ziaul Haq and for Ziaul Haq. He had absolute power and he exercised these recklessly showing no mercy. The political opponents consisting PPP leaders including Shaheed Benazir Bhutto were meted out a treatment of the worst kind. His callousness was limitless because he put young Benazir Bhutto in Sukkar jail with most inhospitable conditions in the prison room.
Salute to the courage of the Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto who spurned the offers of sparing his life if he agreed to seek forgiveness and abdicate politics. The general sent an officer, then DC Rawalpindi, with an offer to him in the prison cell. The ‘Great One’ without the slightest hesitation responded and said,’ do you know the name of the father of the general? The officer replied in negative. Then he asked, do you know the name of my father? The officer reply was in affirmative. Then the ‘Great One’ said to the officer, go back and tell him that he will never compromise on the rights of the poor, adding the cause is far more precious than his life. ‘He is the son of the illustrious father and knows the value of living in history’. Indeed, he had become immortal in history but his tormentor, Ziaul Haq, had gone to the oblivion with not even worth to footnotes of history. He had been thrown in the dust bin of history optimising justice of history. The ‘Great One’ will live in honor and dignity in the hearts of the people of Pakistan for all times. His tormentor will be scorned with contempt and condemnation for all times to come.
He, Great Bhutto, will continue to inspire the people of Pakistan for the struggle to resurrect Pakistan as Mr. Jinnah’s Pakistan. The successive retrogressive and extremist forces under the guise of dictatorship could not efface their leader’s imprints. Now, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto is in the saddle to defend and promote his grandfather’s legacy and to continue the struggle for the full empowerment of the disfranchised and marginalised people of the country. The struggle for upholding the legacy will surely impede the creeping of the desert of neglect in the lives of the poor people consisting, labour, farmers, women, minorities, students and the poor segments of the society. He is committed to continue the assiduous struggle for the empowerment of the people who are at the other end of the food chain. The mission is daunting but the chairman’s resolve is unwavering.
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