By: Jahangir Akbar Naich
No person in the history of Pakistan achieved greater popularity, respect, love, and sympathy of the people of Pakistan and also suffered such a despicable death as Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (1928-79).
He was born on 5 January 1928 as a young boy, Bhutto started his initial education from Worli sea face in Bombay to study at the cathedral and John Cannon school. Further, in 1949, Bhutto transferred to the University of California, Berkery where he completed the degree of political science, in 1950, got a law degree from Lincoln’s Inn London. His political career starts when he was appointed youngest member of Pakistan,s delegation to the UN in 1957, and in 1958, he was appointed cabinet minister of Iskandar Mirza and promoted minister of commerce. In 1960, he performed duty as minister of water, power, communication, and Industry. In Ayub Khan,s govt he was appointed as a foreign minister in 1963 Bhutto supposed the China and soviet Union 1964 also faced difficulties or treats of USA, his socialist viewpoint influenced him to close relationship with all neighbors and also a proponent of Operation Gibraltar in Kashmir leading to war with India in 1965. After the Tashkent agreement, he left the Ayub Khan govt and formed his political party which names the Pakistan people’s party in 1967 on a socialist platform and contested elections held by General Yehya Khan in 1970. Bangladesh became separate from Pakistan on 16 December in 1971 with the help of India, Bhutto returned home on 18 December 1971 and he took two positions from Yehya Khan, first chief Marshal law administrator, and president.
He saved the remaining part of Pakistan in 1971 because at that time the worst crises were faced. when every person wants to separate from Pakistan including (Sindhi, Panjabi, Pashtun, and Baloch) it was difficult to keep Pakistan United at that time Bhutto launched a military operation to stamp out any separation movement. On 2 July 1972 Bhutto went to India and recovered 93,000 prisoners of war and 5000 sq territory after signing the Simla Agreement. The New Constitution of Pakistan was framed by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in 1973. After Bhutto gives reforms in economic, land distribution, political reforms, and Industrial reforms. and also built the Steel mill and hubby dam was also built by Bhutto and Atomic Energy plant in Pakistan. The election was held in 1973 and PPP won the election securing 108 out of 146 members, Bhutto was sworn in on 14 August 1973. Opposition alliance which names 9 Sitara Tanzeem (9 stars movement )lost the election and refused to accept the election results and started the movement against Bhutto, during the movement political opponent was killed which names nawab Ahmad Khan Kasuri and blamed on Bhutto he has done this.
On 5 July 1977 Bhutto and members were arrested by order of General Zia and imposed Martial law and finished the Bhutto,s govt and suspended the Constitution and all assemblies and promised of the election held within 90 days. On 29 July 1977 Bhutto was released and again arrested on 3 September in 1977 in charge of authorizing the murder of a political opponent in March 1974.
He was implicated in a fake case, the case was under trial in Lahore high court that sentenced Bhutto to death after and his family filed an appeal but on 24 March 1979 the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, Bhutto was hanged at Central jail Rawalpindi on 4 April 1979 and buried in home town Larkana. His daughter Benazir writes in her book Daughter of East, murder of her father is coming called judicial Murder
He was also a Pakistani nationalist and socialist with particular views on types of democracy needed in Pakistan. THE current PPP should revisit the vision of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. Millions of Pakistani still hail Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto as their people called him Quaid-i-Awan (leader of the people) . After 42 years people do not forget this great leader. That’s why, Bhutto said,” you can kill the person but no idea, you can exile the person but no idea”.
