Zulfikar Ali Bhutto: The man who made history

The Express Tribune

By Major (retd) Muhammad Arif Taheem

“We shall fight a thousand years to liberate Kashmir and we shall eat grass, but we will make an atomic bomb.” These were the words of a great leader who revived a new spirit; and who taught the depressed nation to start living again with honour. He had weaknesses too, but his strengths surpassed his flaws. History is proud of such people who did not bow down to pressure even when they were hanged. This bright light of Pakistan, who helped his nation in trying times, was taken from us on April 4, 1979. He left us more than thirty years ago, but his memories are still fresh in our minds.

Those who thought they could eliminate Bhutto’s name failed terribly: the great leader is still alive in our hearts, while their names have disappeared into oblivion. Ironically, those who supported the judicial decision then, admit today that it was wrong. I wish the media was as powerful in those days as is now and the hanging of Bhutto could not take place. The decision has never been quoted by any court as a precedent. One can see easily that the court’s decision was partial and biased as it was taken neither according to Islamic principles of justice nor according to the law in practice. Bhutto himself had not committed any murder. And if we suppose that he was involved in a conspiracy, he could not be given a death penalty for it. This was a judicial murder as Bhutto was a hero for the common man. If Pakistan has had any leader after Quaid-e-Azam, who enjoyed reverence and popularity, he is Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. He made the poor and downtrodden people politically aware. He wanted them to be treated and respected like any human being should be. He brought the helpless peasants on a par with the feudal lords. I am a witness to this revolution taking place in my village. Many people still remember those days when people of low social status like factory workers, blacksmiths, carpenters and cobblers were made office-bearers of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party. A social revolution took place and Bhutto was blamed for turmoil; but this was actually a golden revolution.