Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Remembered

It is sometimes hard to believe that it has been 25 years. Man or meteor, or was he not both? Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (ZAB) was executed on April 4, 1979 in a trial could still be resurrected and analyzed for questionable justice. And maybe, just maybe this resurrection will finally heal a nation long divided along many fault lines in its short history. A source of inspiration for millions was extinguished a quarter century ago. Was he a Saint or Sinner or a bit of both? No matter how one views his legacy, ZAB was certainly the most formidable civilian political anomaly that Pakistan has ever seen. And the political party that he founded the PPP (Pakistan Peoples Party) remains a force to be reckoned with to this day.

The gathering on April 4, 2004 brought together just over a hundred people at the Holiday Inn in San Pablo, California. This town in the San Francisco Bay Area is generally not known for major events as it is eclipsed by neighboring Berkeley.

But people did come here from as far away as Los Angeles this time to share memories and to honor their lost leader. And if one is not mistaken, even a few of his old critics showed up to pay their respects. The only drawback was that the evening started off almost two hours late.

Mr. Saleem Soomro opened up the event by inviting Mrs. Najma Bhutto to start the memorial with a prayer for the departed leader. A Qura’n Khwani (Koranic Recitation) had already taken place earlier in the day at another location. “Let us pray that the work started by Z.A. Bhutto continues,” she said. Najma Sahiba is the President off the PPP (Women’s Wing) in California.

The Vice President of the PPP chapter Mr. Akram Chaudhry followed in the same vein and recalled “this dark day, in the history of Pakistan.” He charted a brief biography of ZAB, including the foundation of the PPP and a history of ZAB’s achievements after defeat in 1971. “The downtrodden (masses) were given a voice for the first time in Pakistan,” he said. Bhutto was also credited with negotiating the release of 93,000 prisoners of war after the defeat, giving Pakistan a Constitution that it could be proud of, making the country an Atomic power and holding the first the OIC conference in Lahore. “We do not have enough time to discuss all of his achievements,” he said.
Party General Secretary (California) Zahid Syed elaborated with the thought that the great powers never wanted Third World countries to be truly free. He said that when the concept of power through the ballot box arrived in Pakistan ZAB voiced its aspirations.

“We still need to represent the masses and maintain their voices through democratic means,” he said.

Dr. Lubna Hasanain spoke next. “Inshallah his place will remain in history,” she said. She added that she remembered the day when he was sent to the gallows through a “misjustice” and reminisced about ZAB’s contributions to the country. “I really appreciate your continuing his message.”

Dr. Khawaja Ashraf, a surprise speaker followed by painting a realistic and somewhat philosophical picture of the challenges encountered both past and present. He said that two attributes namely “vision and courage” stand out when you look at the lives of great men. He called ZAB a great “visionary” and that “very courageous man.” Dr. Ashraf quoted from the book “If I am Assassinated” and said that Bhutto refused to compromise.

“Pakistan needs Bhutto today more than it ever has,” he said.

Mrs. Najma Bhutto returned and shared her belief that democracy will return to Pakistan soon. She expressed her faith in Benazir Bhutto’s leadership and quoted a verse in Urdu that translates to “do not be afraid of strong winds, because sometimes they can help you fly.”

Mr. Khuda Bux Bhutto (KB as he is affectionately known) is the President of the PPP in California and was our host at this gathering. He spoke at length on a number of issues. He said that on April 4, 1979 not only ZAB but Democracy was hanged in Pakistan. “We could not believe that they would kill him,” he said. He went into the details of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s achievements and commented on his strong following in Pakistan and Indian occupied Kashmir where they continue to remember him. “We demand that they reopen the case against Shaheed Bhutto so that true justice can prevail,” he added. On current and future challenges he added, “Inshallah the spirit with which we have gathered here will save Pakistan.” He expressed his faith in leadership Benazir Bhutto. “This is the year she will return,” he said.

Chief Guest of the evening Member of the Provincial Assembly from Sindh (Dadu District) was next welcomed by all. Marvi Mazhar comes from a distinguished family and is a well read person. Her relative youth is difficult to overlook but her determination is not. She spoke about the killing of what she called an “institution” in the persona of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and added that even though she is too young to remember that fateful day herself, she can feel the loss to the country. She credited ZAB, his vision and following, for her ability to win a provincial assembly election (in spite of being a woman) from a very conservative and backward area of Sindh. She spoke of ZAB as someone that gave respect to Pakistanis through his work, especially via the 1973 Constitution that some have since “tailored” for personal use. “Let me request all of us to pray for democracy in Pakistan,” she said. She read excerpts from a poem attributed to her party leader Benazir Bhutto and expressed hope in her future leadership.

The finale of this gathering returned KB Bhutto to the stage for his words of thanks and a presentation of an “Ajrak” by him and Najma Bhutto to Marvi Mazhar in appreciation of her attendance here (along with her efforts). A Spartan but delicious dinner of Biryani was served to all at the end of the evening.

In conclusion the 25th death anniversary of Z. A. Bhutto brings to mind quite a number of thoughts and wishes. One thought is that my generation is a lot older and hopefully wiser after the quarter century mark of a dark but significant day in Pakistani history. And a fond wish is that we, the people of Pakistani origin overseas will someday see the political scene in Pakistan heal permanently. A stronger and more prosperous Pakistan is in our collective interest. International events have changed the course of history in the region again recently. The tables are now turning rapidly. The current scenario has mystified people who have only been taught only one version of our history. The need is to promote a healing process between the Military and the Civilian power bases in Pakistan.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was far from perfect in a number of areas. He irritated many and created powerful enemies. On the other hand he had millions of friends and well wishers who were themselves powerless. He represented the popular winds of his time. He has been gone many years now but some marks of his genius remain all over Pakistan. The ashes of his failures there cannot be ignored either. But in any case it is much too late to request the Military now to spare his life (like some of us did a quarter century ago). All we can ask now is for Pakistan to collectively give his memory the justice that it deserves (and in the process rediscover itself). Let the people once again freely decide on what to make of his legacy.