Text of Chairman #PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s speech on 40th Yaum-e Shahadat of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto

بسم اللہ رحمن الرحیم
کبھی تو سو چنا یہ تم نے کیا کِیا لوگو
یہ کس کو تم نے سرِدار کھو دیا لوگو۔
ہوائے بُغض و خباثت چلی تو اپنے ساتھ
اُڑا کے لے گئی انصاف کی قَبا لوگو
دیا تھا صُبحِ مسرت نے ایک چراغ ہمیں
اُسی کو تم نے سرِشام کھو دیا لوگو
سُلا دیا جسے زنداں میں تم نے موت کی نیند
جگائے گی اُسے حالات کی سدا لوگو۔۔۔

ساتھیو!

آپ جانتے ہیں کہ آج شہید ذوالفقار علی بھٹو کے عدالتی قتل کا چالیسواں 40سال ہے۔ آج کا دن پاکستان کی تاریخ کا وہ دردناک باب ہے، جس میں مزاحمت اور شہادت کی کئی داستانیں درج ہیں ۔ آج کے دن پاکستان کے محروم طبقات کی اُمیدوں کا قتل ہوا۔ آج کے دن آئینِ پاکستان کے خالق کا خون ہوا۔آج کے دن راکھ کے ملبے سے نئی قوم تعمیر کرنے والے وزیرِاعظم کو سُولی پر لٹکا دیا گیا۔آج کا دن ایک سوال پوچھ رہا ہے اِس ملک کے ہر شخص سے ایک سوال پوچھ رہا ہے۔
اس ملک کے ہر ادارے سے ایک سوال پوچھ رہا ہے۔
اس ملک کے ہر منصف سے ایک سوال پوچھ رہا ہے۔
ہر سوچنے والے سے ایک سوال پوچھ رہا ہے۔
ہر لکھنے والے سے ایک سوال پوچھ رہا ہے۔
اور وہ سوال یہ ہے کہ بتاؤ اس ملک کے کروڑوں غریبوں کے مُحافظ کو قتل کیوں کیا گیا؟
بتاؤ ایک ٹوٹے پھوٹے سماج کو نئی زندگی دینے والے مسیحا کو قتل کیوں کیا گیا؟
جس نے ٹوتے ہُوے ملک کو جوڑا، جس ہاری ہوئی قوم کو اپنے پاؤں پر کھڑا کیا،
جس نے 90 ہزار جنگی قیدیوں کی باعزت واپسی کے راستے کھولے،
جس نے 5ہزار مربع میل کا کھویا رقبہ واپس دلایا،
جس نے اس ملک میں مضبوط دفاع کی بنیادیں رکھیں،
جس نے پاکستان کو Atomicریاست بنایا،
بتاؤ اس کی موت کے پروانے پر دستخط کرنے والے کون تھے؟
یہ سوال 40سال سے پوچھا جارہا ہے، صدرِ پاکستان نے 8سال پہلے اس ملک کی سب سے بڑی عدالت میں درخواست کی تھی کہ My Lordہمیں بھٹو شہید کے خون کا جواب دیا جائے؟
بھٹو شہید کا خون آج بھی پکار رہا ہے، پوچھ رہا ہے انصاف کے اداروں سے کہ انصاف کب ملے گا؟
آج کا دن یہ سوال پوچھ رہاہے کہ پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی کے لئے انصاف کے ترازو اپنا توازن کیوں کھو دیتے ہیں؟
ہمارے خون کا مقدمہ ہو تو عدل کی دیوی کو نیند کیوں آجاتی ہے؟
ہمارے قاتلوں کی پناہ گاہوں کو کب تک تحفظ دیا جاتا رہے گا؟
بھٹوز کیوں قتل ہوتے رہے؟ اس کا جواب کون دے گا؟
ہمارے خون کا حساب کون دے گا؟
اس کا احتساب کب ہو گا؟
ظلم پھر ظلم ہے بڑھتا ہے تو مٹ جاتا ہے۔
خون پھر خون ہے ٹپکے گا تو جم جائیگا۔

ساتھیو۔

جو تاریخ سے سبق نہیں سیکھتے تاریخ پھر انہیں سبق سکھاتی ہے۔
تاریخ یہ ہے کہ 1971کی جنگی شکست کے بعد جب شہید ذوالفقار علی بھٹو کو بچا کھچا پاکستان ملاتو انہوں نے یہ فیصلہ کیا کہ خطے میں توازن کے لئے Atomicقوت بننا لازمی ہے۔
1972میں انہوں نے Nuclear Programکی بنیاد رکھی، وسائل موجود نہیں تھے، پوری دنیا خلاف تھی۔
نہ ہمارے پاس سائنسی علم تھا، نہ ٹیکنالاجی تھی، لیکن انہوں نے کہا ہم گھاس کھائیں گے لیکن ملک کی سلامتی پر آنچ نہیں آنے دیں گے۔
انہوں نے کہا کہ ہماری سرزمین Nuclear Blackmailکی اجازت نہیں دے گی۔
1974میں انڈیا نے بم دھماکا کیا۔ 1978میں پاکستان کا Nuclear Programمکمل ہو چکا تھا۔
لیکن تاریخ کا المیہ دیکھیں کہ اس کی خبر شہید ذوالفقار علی بھٹو کو موت کال کوٹھڑی میں دی گئی۔
ایک سال بعد انہیں تختِ دار پر لٹکایا گیا۔
آج اگر آپ بھارت کی آنکھوں میں آنکھیں ڈال کر بات کرتے ہیں تو اس کی وجہ شہید ذوالفقار علی بھٹو ہیں۔
آج سرحدوں پر حفاظت کرنے والا جوان پوچھتا ہے کہ کیا بھٹو کو اس ملک کا دفاع مضبوط کرنے کی سزا دی گئی؟
کیا انہیں پاکستان کو Nuclear Stateبنانے کی سزا دی گئی؟
کیا انہیں سامراجی قوتوں کو للکارنے کی سزا دی گئی؟
میں پوچھتا ہوں؟ ہمیں بتایا جائے کہ جو قوتیں پاکستان کو Nuclear Stateبنتے نہیں دیکھنا چاہتی تھیں ان قوتوں کا آلہ کار کون بنا؟
یہ 9ستارے کہاں سے آئے تھے؟
ضیاء الحق نے Nuclear Program کے بانی کو کس کے اشارے پر ہٹایا؟
تاریخ کے آخری فیصلے میں کون غدار ہوا؟
کیا وہ غدار تھا جس نے آئین دیا؟ یا وہ غدار تھا جس نے آئین توڑا؟
کیا وہ غدار تھا جس نے ملکی سلامتی کے لئے اپنی جان دے دی؟ یا وہ غدار تھا جس نے ملکی مفاد کو اتنا سستا بیچ دیا کے ہم آج تک اس کے پھیلائے ہوئے بارود اور زہر میں سانس لینے پر مجبور ہیں؟
اس لئے میں کہتا ہو ں کے ہمارہ نظریہ نہیں بدلا، تمہارہ بیانیہ بدلتا رہتا ہے۔
اس وقت بھی ہمارے نظریے کے خلاف غداری کا بیانیہ دیا اور آج بھی ہمارے نظریے کے خلاف غداری کا فتویٰ دیا گیا۔
تاریخ نے ہمیں کل ھبی سرخرو کیا اور ہم آج بھی سرخرو ہوں گے۔
تم اپنی سازشیں جاری رکھو ، ہم اپنی جدوجہد جاری رکھیں گے۔
اور اس کا حتمی فیصلہ تاریخ اور عوام کی عدالت میں ہو گا۔

ساتھیو۔۔

آج ہم بھٹو شہید کے نظریے پر اُتنی ہی مضبوطی سے کھڑے ہیں جتنی مضبوطی سے اس نظریے کا عَلم شہید محترمہ بے نظیر بھٹو نے اٹھایا تھا۔
وہ جب اپنے عظیم باپ سے آخری بار ملنے گئی تو انہیں ورثے میں اِس نظریے کی طاقت ملی تھی جس کے آگے پاکستان کی تاریخ کی بدترین آمریتیں ریت کی دیوارثابت ہوئی۔
شہید ذوالفقار علی بھٹوکی شہادت کے بعد شہید محترمہ بے نظیر بھٹو نے جدوجہد کی جو تاریخ رقم کی اُس نے پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی کی نظریاتی اساس کو مضبوط کیا۔
اگر شہید ذوالفقار علی بھٹو نے اپنی تحریک کے ذریعے انقلابِ فرانس کی یاد تازہ کر دی تھی تو شہید محترمہ بے نظیر بھٹوکی قیادت میں پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی کے جیالوں نے بھی مزاحمت کی ایک نئی تاریخ رقم کی تھی۔
ضیائی آمریت کے خلاف جدوجہد کرتے ہوئے بھٹو شہید کی محبت میں بھٹو شہید کے نظریاتی جانشینوں نے قیدیں کاٹیں ،
شاہی قلع کی سزائیں بھگتیں ، پھانسیوں پر چڑھے اور ان 11سالوں میں جمہوری جدوجہد کے جرم میں 50ہزار کوڑے مارے گئے،
اور ہر کاڑے پر جئے بھٹو کا نعرہ گونج اُٹھا اور آج بھی اپنے جسموں پر ان کوڑوں کے نشان سنبھالے ، ہم پھر نئی جدوجہد کے لئے میدان میں اترنے کو تیار ہیں۔

نئے پاکستان کا ناٹک کرنے والو۔۔

پہلے پرانے پاکستان کی بنیادیں سمجھو۔
آج تم اقتدار کے جن ایوانوں میں بیٹھ کر تکبر کی علامت بن چکے ہو، اس نظام کی بنیادوں میں پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی کا خون شامل ہے۔
اس وفاقی پارلمانی جمہوری نظام اور اس کے قیام میں جمہوری قوتوں کی بے مثال جدوجہد شامل ہے،
اور ہم تمہیں اس جدوجہد کو، اس قربانی کو ضایع نہیں کرنے دیں گے۔
پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی نے جس آئین کے تحت یہ نظام تشکیل دیا، اگر اس آئین پر حملہ کرنے کی کوشش کی گئی تو یاد رکھو تمہارا حشر بھی ان آمروں جیسا ہو گا، جنہوں نے عوامی راج کو للکارنے کی کوشش کی تھی۔

ساتھیو۔۔۔

آج یہ Selected وزیرِاعظم بھٹو شہید کا آئین ختم کرنے کی کوشش کر رہا ہے۔
گھوٹکی آکر کہتا ہے کہ اٹھارویں ترمیم سے وفاق دیوالیہ ہو گیا ہے۔
اس کی اصلیت کو پہچانو، اس کے ارد گرد کے لوگوں کو پہچانو، ان کی شکلیں پہچانو۔
یہ ہیں وہ لوگ جو بھٹو شہید کے آئین کے دشمن ہیں ۔
آپ کے حقوق کے دشمن ہیں۔
اس بے نامی وزیرِ اعظم کو یہ تک معلوم نہیں کہ مضبوط صوبے ہی مضبوط وفاق کی علامت ہیں۔
ہم بھٹو کے آئین کو ختم نہیں ہونے دیں گے۔
ہم اس ملک کو واپس One Unitنہیں ہونے دیں گے۔
تم کوشش کر کے دیکھ لو ، ہم تمہارے سامنے دیوار کی طرح کھڑے ہوں گے۔
بھٹو شہید نے کہا تھا کہ میں One Unitکو ایک لات مار کر ختم کردوں گا۔
میں آج تمہیں Warnکر رہا ہوں تم اٹھارویں ترمیم ختم کرنے کی کوشش کرو One Unitپھر سے قائم کو میں تمہاری حکومت کو ایک لات مار کر گرا دوں گا۔

ساتھیو۔۔

خان گھوٹکی آکر کہتا ہے، خان سندھ کا نمک کھا کر کہتا ہے کہ اُسے سندھ کی ضرورت نہیں۔
تُجھے سندھ کی ضرورت نہیں ؟
تم کون ہو کٹھ پُتلی، سندھ کو تمہاری ضرورت نہیں۔
ہم جانتے ہیں اُسے سندھ نہیں سندھ کے وسائل چاہیے۔
اُسے سندھ نہیں سندھ کی گیس چاہیے۔
اُسے سندھ نہیں سندھ کا پانی چاہیے۔
وہ آج بھی سندھ کے 120عرب پر سانپ بن کر بیٹھا ہے۔
یہ پیسے آپ کے پیسے ہیں، یہ آپ کے Taxesکے پیسے ہیں ۔
یہ آپ کی خون پسینے کی کمائی کے پیسے ہیں، جس پر خان ڈاکا ڈال کر بیٹھا ہے۔

زرا سوچییے 120عرب سے ہم کیا کر سکتے تھے؟
120عرب سے ہم کتنے بے روزگار نوجوانوں کو روزگار دے سکتے تھے۔
120عرب سے ہم کتنے اسکول تعمیر کر سکتے تھے۔
120عرب سے ہم کتنے ہسپتال کھڑے کر سکتے تھے۔
اور یہ تو ہیں ہمارے Dues، اس کے ساتھ اب وہ NFC Award نہ دے کر Award میں کٹوتی کر کہ صوبوں کے حقوق ہتھیانہ چاہتا ہے۔
سندھ کی عوام کے حقوق پر قبضہ کرنا چاہتا ہے۔پنجاب کی عوام کا حق مارنا چاہتا ہے۔
بلوچستان کی عوام کو محروم رکھنا چاہتا ہے۔ خیبرپختونخواہ کے خزانوں پر ڈاکے ڈالنا چاہتا ہے۔
یہ سارے پیسے صوبوں سے چھین کر اسلام آباد کو دینا چاہتا ہے۔
اٹھارویں ترمیم کے ذریعے ہم نے چاروں صوبوں کو مضبوط کیا اور ان کے وسائل پر ان کو مالکی دی۔
صوبوں کی عوام اپنے مستقبل کے فیصلے خود کرتی ہے، جس سے وفاق مضبوط ہوتا ہے۔
لیکن اس بے نامی وزیرِاعظم کو یہ بات سمجھ نہیں آتی۔

ساتھیو۔۔۔

PTI کی حکومت نے جھوٹ کے سوائے کوئی کام ایمانداری سے نہیں کیا۔
Election سے پہلے دکھائے گئے ، سُنہرے خوابوں کے بر عکس PTI حکومت اپنے ساتھ ایک مہنگائی کی ایک سونامی لائی ہے۔
ُPetrol کی قیمت میں بار بار اضافہ کر رہے ہیں ، بجلی کی قیمت بڑہاتے ہیں ، مگر بجلی دیتے نہیں ہیں۔
یہاں تک کہ دوائی کی قیمت میں بھی اضافہ!
مطلب آپ غریب ہیں اور بیمار ہیں تو صحت کا انصاف یہ کہتا ہے کہ آپ مر جائیں۔
آٹا ، دال، چاول ہر چیز عام آدمی کی قوتِ خرید سے باہر ہے۔
اور خرید بھی لے تو پکائے کیسے؟
اس بے درد حکومت میں گیس کی قیمت آسمان چُھو رہی ہے اور اوپر سے گیس کی Load Sheddingبھی۔
گیس کا وفاقی منسٹر کہتا ہے کہ مجھے اپنے محکمے کے بارے میں کچھ معلوم نہیں اور عوام ہے جو بیس بیس ہزار کے گیس کے بل دیکھ کر بے حال ہے۔
وفاقی وزیرِ خزانہ کہتا ہے کہ ان کی معاشی Policiesکی وجہ سے عوام کی چیخیں نکلیں گی پھر یہ بھی کہتے ہیں کہ اسے Agricultureکا پتا ہی نہیں ؟
میں پوچھتا ہوں یہ وزیر ہے یا معاشی دہشتگرد؟
یہ معاشی قتل کر رہا ہے۔
کسانوں کامعاشی قتل۔
مزدوروں کامعاشی قتل۔
بے روزگار نوجوانوں کا معاشی قتل۔
بزرگ Pensionersکا معاشی قتل۔

خان صاحب ۔۔

آپ کی حکومت چوری اور سینہ زوری کے علاوہ کچھ نہیں جانتی۔
آپ غداری کے فتوے تو دے سکتے ہیں مگر لوگوں کو دو وقت کی روٹی نہیں۔
کہاں گئے آپ کے پچاس لاکھ گھر؟
کہاں گئی آپ کی ایک کروڑ نوکریوں کا وعدہ؟
نوکری دینا تو دور آپ کی حکومت لوگوں سے ان کا روزگار چھین رہی ہے۔
Encroachment کے نام پر لوگوں کو بے روزگار کیا جارہا ہے۔
اس حکومت سے نہ معیشت چل سکتی ہے اور نہ ہی ملک۔
کوئی ان کو یہ سمجھائے معیشت چندے سے نہیں ،سیاست گالی سے نہیں ،حکومت چابی سے نہیں اور ملک جادو سے نہیں چلتا اور جب ہم حکومت کو اس کی کمزوریاں اس کے جھوٹ ،اس کی منافقت ،اس کی دھاندلی آئینے میں دکھاتے ہیں ان کو ،ان کا اصل چہرا دکھاتے ہیں تو ہمیں ڈرانے کے لیے NABگردی شروع کی جاتی ہے ۔
ساتھیو!

آپ نے بے نامی Accountsکے حوالے سے بہت سے قصے سنے ہونگے اور یہ صرف قصے ہی ہیں ،صرف باتیں ہیں ،صرف الزامات ہیں اور وہ بھی جھوٹے ۔
یہ صرف کردار کشی ہے یہ احتساب نہیں انتقام ہے ۔
یہ انصاف نہیں سیاسی انتقام ہے ۔
یہ احتساب نہیں Political Engineeringہے ۔
(6)مہینے سے کیس چلنے کے باوجود مجھے تو کسی کورٹ کے سامنے اپنا موقف دینے کا موقع نہیں دیا گیا ۔
مجھ پر وہ الزام ہیں جب کہ میں ایک سال کا تھا،اور معزز عدالت بھی یہ جانتی ہے کے Casesجھوٹے ہیں ۔
تبھی تو اعلیٰ عدلیہ کے چیف جسٹس نے خود کہا کے میرا نام اس رپورٹ میں غلط شامل کیا گیا ۔
اور JITکو حکم دیا کے میرا نام اس رپورٹ سے نکالا جائے ۔
لیکن تحریری فیصلے میں اس کا کوئی ذکر نہیں؟
حتیٰ کے سابق فاضل چیف جسٹس نے ISIکے رکن سے سختی سے پوچھا کے کس کے کہنے پر اور Pressureمیں بلاول بھٹو زرداری کا نام ڈالا؟
مگر افسوس کے درجنوں وکلاء اور میڈیا کی موجودگی میں سنایا گیا فیصلہ بدل دیا گیا ۔
کھلی عدالت میں سنایا گیا فیصلہ کچھ اور تھا اور جب تحریری فیصلہ آیا تو کچھ اور ؟
اور پھر جب آخر کار پہلی بار مجھے عدالت میں پیش ہونے کا موقع ملا تو مجھے صرف (3)منٹ سنا جاتا ہے ۔
اور بڑی آسانی سے کہہ دیا جاتا ہے کے ایسا تو کہا ہی نہیں گیا !
میں اپنے قابلِ احترام جج صاحبان سے صرف اتنی گزارش کرونگا کے اس دن کی Transcriptsمنگوالیں Tapesسن لیں آپ کو خود حقیقت کا پتا چل جائے گا ۔
دوسری بات یہ کے ،یہ کیس184 (3) کے تحت انسانی حقوق کا کیس کیسے بن گیا ؟
معزز سپریم کورٹ کی وہ طاقت کو صرف اور صرف Question of Lawاور انسانی حقوق کی سنگین خلاف ورزیوں کی صورت میں استعمال کی جاتی ہے۔
حیران کن طور پر اس طاقت کو Electionsکے دوران اس کیس کو اٹھانے کے لیے کیسے استعمال کیا جاتا ہے؟
یہ مقدمہ سپریم کورٹ نے اس وجہ سے اٹھایا کیوں کے سپریم کورٹ کے مطابق یہ سست روی کا شکار تھا لیکن حقیقت یہ ہے کے یہ کیس کراچی کی Banking Courtمیں پہلے سے چل رہا تھا ۔
اور FIAاس میں ابتدائی چالان بھی پیش کر چکا تھا تو سست روی کا سوال ہی پیدا نہیں ہوتا ۔اور اگر یہ مان بھی لیا جائے کے سستی تھی تو اس ملک کی عدالتوں میں لاکھوں مقدموں میں سستی انسانی حقوق کی خلاف ورزی نہیں ؟
کیا شہید ذوالفقار علی بھٹو کا کیس چالیس سال بعد بھی سست روی کا شکار نہیں؟
کیا شہید محترمہ بے نظیر بھٹو کا کیس سست روی کا شکار نہیں ؟
کیا شہید اکبر بگٹی کا کیس سست روی کا شکار نہیں؟
کیا (12)مئی کا کیس سست روی کا شکار نہیں ؟
کیا اصغر خان کیس سست روی کا شکار نہیں ؟
کیا آئین ٹوڑنے پر غدار مشرف کے خلاف مقدمہ سست روی کا شکار نہیں ؟
کیا Missing Personsکے ہزاروں مقدمات سست روی کا شکار نہیں ؟
کیا یہ سب انسانی حقوق کی خلاف ورزیاں نہیں؟
کیا (2018)کے الیکشن میں کی گئی تاریخ کی بدترین دھاندلی اور ووٹ کی چوری ،تین دن تک Election Resultروکنا ،ملک بھر کے Polling Stationsسے Polling Agentsکو باہر پھیکنا ،RTSکو Failکرونا ،Level Playing Field نہ ہونا ،میڈیا کو Blackoutکروانا ،Form-45غایب کروانا ،کلعدم تنظیموں کو Mainstreeming کے نام پر Electionلڑوانا سیاسی طور پر امید واروں کو نا اہل کرنا ،Political Engineeringسے بے نامی وزیراعظم کو اس ملک پر مسلط کرنا ،کیا یہ سب انسانی حقوق کی خلاف ورزی نہیں؟
اور پھر ایک عجیب بات ہمارے کیس کو پنڈی میں Shiftکر دیا ہے آخر کیا وجہ ہے کے اس کیس کو پنڈی میں چلانے کا حکم دیا گیا ؟
جب معاملہ سندھ کا ہے جب تحقیقات سندھ میں ہورہی ہیں ،جب فریق سندھ سے ہیں تو پھر کیس پنڈی میں کیوں؟
جب کے قانون میں اس بات کی کوئی گنجائش ہی نہیں ۔
کیا ایک بار پھر پنڈی میں ہمارے لیے کربلا برپا کیا جارہا ہے ؟
انصاف کے تقاضے پورے کرنے کے لیے ہر کیس میں JITکیوں نہیں بنتی ؟
اگر میرے ناشتے پر JITبن سکتی ہے تو دہشتگردی پر کیوں نہیں؟
تاریخی دھاندلی پر کیوں نہیں؟
ووٹ کی چوری پر کیوں نہیں؟
ساتھیو!
Custodian of the Houseکو Speakerسندھ اسمبلی کو ،وہ اسمبلی جس نے قردادِ پاکستان پاس کی جھوٹے کیس میں اسلام آباد سے گرفتار کیا جاتا ہے ۔
اس کی بیوی اور بچوں کو 8گھنٹے یرغمال بنا کر چادر اور چار دیواری کو پامال کرتے ہیں ۔
ہمارے حیدرآباد سے تعلق رکھنے والے MPAsکے پیچھے پڑے ہوئے ہیں۔
وہ نہیں چاہتے کے با ر بار الیکشن جیتنے والے MPAsعوام کی خدمت کریں ۔
عوامی نمائدوں کو ان کا حق ان کی ضمانت نہیں مل رہی اور دہشتگردوں کے لیے NRO؟
میں یہ نہیں کہتا کے احتساب مت کرو ،میں یہ بھی نہیں کہتا کے میرا احتساب مت کرو ۔
میں صرف یہ کہتا ہوں کے احتساب کے نام پر انتقام مت لو۔
میں کہتا ہوں احتساب کے نام پر قوم کو بے وقوف مت بناؤ ۔
میں کہتاہوں احتساب کے نام پر Political Engineeringمت کرو۔
میں کہتا ہوں احتساب کے نام پر اپنے خود کے گناہ مت چھپاؤ ۔
اور میری یہ باتیں اس حکومت کو برداشت نہیں ہوتیں ۔
جب میں پوچھتا ہوں کے National Action Plan پر عمل کیوں نہیں ہو رہا؟
جب میں پوچھتا ہوں کے وفاقی وزیروں کے کلعدم تنظیموں سے رابطے اور رشتے کیوں ہیں ؟
جب میں پوچھتا ہوں کے کیوں سیاستدانوں کو جیلوں میں اور دہشتگردوں کو Rest Housesمیں رکھا جاتا ہے ؟
تو مجھے ملک دشمن کرار دینے کی تحریک شروع کی جاتی ہے ۔
میں پوچھتا ہوں کیا ملک دشمن میں ہوں یا وہ وزیر ہیں جو دہشتگردوں کو گود میں بٹھا کر بیٹھے میں ؟
میں نے ان 3وزیروں کو ہٹانے کا مطالبہ کیا مگر عمران خان نے ان 3وزیروں کو تو نہیں نکالا الٹا ایک ایسے شخص کو وزیر بنا دیا جس پر Daniel Pearlسے لیکر بی بی شہید تک دہشتگردی کی سازشوں میں ملوث ہونے کا الزام ہے ۔
یہ حکومت یہ سب کر کے کیا پیغام دینا چاہتی ہے ؟
یہ کس قسم کا بزدل وزیراعظم ہے جو نہ مودی کے خلاف بولتا ہے کو نہ کلعدم تنظیموں کے خلاف بولتا ہے جو نہ ہی دہشتگردوں کے خلاف بولتا ہے ،مگر اپوزیشن کے لیے شیر بنا پھرتا ہے ۔
ساتھیو!
پاکستا ن پیپلز پارٹی نے ہمیشہ انصاف کی امید رکھی تو عدالت سے رکھی ،بے شک ہمیں بارہہ عدالت سے مایوسی ملی ۔
ہم آج تک شہید ذوالفقار علی بھٹو کے قتل کا انصاف مانگتے ہیں ۔
ہم آج تک شہید محترمہ بے نظیر بھٹو کے قتل کا انصاف مانگتے ہیں۔
ہم آج تک اپنے بہائے ہوئے خون کا حساب مانگتے ہیں ۔
آخر ہمیں عدالت سے انصاف کب ملے گا ؟
ہمارے خلاف کیے گئے جرائم کا احتساب کب ہوگا؟
انصاف کا سلسلہ تب تک شروع نہیں ہو سکتا جب تک بھٹو شہید کے عدالتی قتل کا انصاف نہیں ملے گا ۔
ہمارے نظامِ عدل کو اپنے اندر جھانکنا ہوگا اپنی اصلاح کرنا ہوگی ،اپنی غلطیوں کو سدھارنا ہوگا۔
بھٹو شہید کو انصاف ملنے سے ہی انصاف کی ابتدا ہوگی ۔
مگر ساتھیو!
اتنی مایوسی کے باوجود ،اتنے انتظار کے باوجود، اتنی برداشت کے باوجود میں آج بھی پر امید ہوں ،کے یہ ہی عدالتیں ہمیں انصاف دینگی۔
ساتھیو!
آج پھر ہمیں بھٹو شہید کا نظریا گھر گھر لے جانے کی ضرورت ہے ۔
بی بی شہید کی سیاسی سوچ گلی گلی تک پھیلانے کی ضرورت ہے ۔
نوجوانوں کو یہ بتانیں کی ضرورت ہے کے بھٹو شہید کی قیادت میں آنے والا پر امن انقلاب ہماری میراث ہے ۔
ہم اس صفر کو جاری رکھیں گے ،وہ جدوجہد جس کا آغاز بھٹو شہید نے کیا اور بی بی شہید نے آگے بڑھایا ۔
انشااللہ ہم اس کو جاری رکھیں گے مگر میں آپ کو بتانا چاہتا ہوں کے آج بھی بھٹو شہید سے ڈرتے ہیں اس کی سوچ سے ڈرتے ہیں ،اس کے نظریے سے ڈرتے ہیں ،اس کی فکر سے ڈرتے ہیں ،اس کی ذکر سے ڈرتے ہیں ۔
یہ اتنا ڈرتے ہیں کے بی بی شہید کا نام بھی انہیں برداشت نہیں ۔
BISPسے بی بی شہید کا نام نکالنے کی سازش ہو رہی ہے ،در اصل یہ اس پروگرام کو ہی بند کرنا چاہتے ہیں ۔
میں یہ بتا دوں کے بے نظیر بھٹو صرف ایک نام نہیں ۔بے نظیر بھٹو ایک عزم ہے ۔
یہ عزم ہے غریبوں کی مالکی کا ،یہ عزم ہے عورتوں کی فلاح کا ،یہ عزم ہے پاکستان کی ترقی کا ۔
اس کو مٹا سکو یہ تم میں دم نہیں ۔
ساتھیو!
بھٹو شہید نے بے آئین سرزمین کو آئین دیا ،جمہوری حقوق دیے ،عوام کو آواز دی ،ہاری کو طاقت دی ،مزدور جو قوت دی ،مظلوم کو زبان دی ،عوام کو حقوق دیے ۔
اور آج یہ تبدیلی سرکار آپ کے حقوق چھیننا چاہتی ہے ،سوچ کی آزادی چھیننا چاہتی ہے ل،جمہوریت چھیننا چاہتی ہے ۔
بھٹو شہید کا دیا ہوا آئین ختم کرنا چاہتے ہیں مگر ہم یہ سازش کامیاب نہیں ہونے دینگے ۔
یہ کیا سمجھتے ہیں کے NABگردی کے ذریعے ہمیں ڈرا سکتے ہیں ،یہ کیا سمجھتے ہیں کے بھٹو کا نواسا جھک جائیگا ؟
یہ کیا سمجھتے ہیں بھی بی بیٹا ڈر جائیگا ؟
یہ کیا سمجھتے ہیں کیا پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی کا جیالا بھاگ جائیگا ؟
ہم ظلم کی ہرطاقت سے ٹکرائینگے ۔
جاؤ ، اور ضیاء کی قبر دیکھو ۔
آؤ اور بھٹو شہید کا مزار بھی دیکھو ۔
منہ چھپاتا ہوا مشرف بھی دیکھواور بی بی شہید کی دلیری دیکھو۔
میں عوام سے کہتا ہوں آپ یقین رکھیں میں آپ کے ساتھ ہوں اور اپنی آخری سانس تک آپ کے ساتھ رہوں گا۔
ہم ساتھ مل کر جدوجہد کرینگے ،ہم ساتھ مل کر لڑینگے ،اور شہید ذوالفقار علی بھٹو کا نا مکمل Missionپورا کرینگے ۔
شہید محترمہ بے نظیر بھٹو کا ادھورا Missionپورا کرینگے ۔
میں شہیدوں کی اس سر زمین پر کھڑا ہو کر آپ سے وعدہ کرتا ہوں میری زندگی آپ کی امانت ہے اور اس زندگی میں آپ کا بھائی ،آپ کا بیٹا،آپ کا دوست کبھی آپ کو مایوس نہیں کریگا ۔
ہم نے اس مٹی پر وارے بھٹو ہیں۔
تتلی، جگنو، چاند، ستارے بھٹو ہیں،
جتنے ہیں کردار ہمارے بھٹو ہیں۔

سب سے آگے ہو، یا سب سے پیچھے ہو،
جس ترتیب میں ہم ہیں ، سارے بھٹو ہیں۔

دکھ کے موسم میں، یا سکھ کے عالم میں،
ہم نے جتنے نام پکارے، بھٹو ہیں۔

دار پہ جو خوشبو ہے، ایک لہو کی ہے،
سولی سے جو پھول اتارے، بھٹو ہیں۔

آج اگر دو چار قدم تم آگے ہو،
یہ مت سمجھو تم سے ہارے بھٹو ہیں۔

ایک دن مٹی سونا بن کر چمکے گی،
ہم نے اس مٹی پر وارے بھٹو ہیں۔

سچ مچ میں وہ تارے توڑ کر لائے تھے،
اسی لئے تو آنکھ کے تارے بھٹو ہیں۔

اس قامت پر ایک دنیا قربان ہوئی،
یہ مت کہنا صرف تمہارے بھٹو ہیں۔

ایک طرف یلگار یزیدی ٹولے کی،
ایک علم بردار ہمارے بھٹو ہیں۔

جان تو آنی جانے ہے پر یاد رہے،ہم کو اپنی جان سے پیارے بھٹو ہیں

https://mediacellppp.wordpress.com/

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The trouble with being Hazara in Pakistan's Quetta city

By SYEDA SANA BATOOL,MARIAM AHMED

On September 3 2010, at around 3pm, Mariam (who does not want to reveal her last name), sat down in disbelief, crying, at home in Islamabad, Pakistan.

A few hundred miles away, her hometown, Quetta, was yet again under attack by militants targeting the ethnic Hazara minority, to which she belongs. News channels were reporting that it was a suicide attack and early updates said that at least 50 were killed. This figure also included one of Mariam’s close family friends.

As she lamented his loss, Quetta, already shaken by the impact of the suicide bombing, echoed with the cries of grieving Hazara families who had lost their loved ones in the blast.

One of a string of many attacks against Hazaras of Balochistan province, the explosion occurred during an al Quds day procession, which is organised by Shia Muslims on the last Friday of every Ramadan to express solidarity with Palestinians.

“It was painful,” Mariam says. But the worst was yet to come.

Her younger brother, Mujtaba was spending his summer break at their residence in Quetta. She tried to reach him by phone as a Hazara is more likely to land into trouble than any regular Pakistani.

The phone call went through and Mujtaba told her he was at Meezan chowk – the site of the blast.

"I told him to immediately go home," Mariam tells TRT World.

A few minutes later she called him again to find out if he was home. Several calls went unanswered until one of Mujtaba’s friends received one telling her brother had been shot.

“I don't remember what happened afterwards,” she says.

Mariam later learned that Mujtaba had left home telling their mother he was going to donate blood to the blast victims. He and his two friends first stopped by the blast site to help the wounded victims and send corpses to morgue. An exchange of gunfire broke out between the militants and police, in which Mujtaba lost his life.

Hazaras, who follow the tenets of Shia Islam, have a longstanding history of being subjected to sectarian violence by the Taliban and other Sunni extremist groups in Balochistan. A report released by the National Commission for Human Rights last year stated that 509 members of the Hazara community were killed and 627 injured in various incidents of terrorism in Quetta from 2013 to 2017.

According to Mohammad Jibran Nasir, a Pakistani human rights activist: “The main reason behind violence against Hazaras is sectarian dispute.” He also points out that Hazaras are more vulnerable to being attacked than others Shias, their typical Mongolian features disclosing their identity and making them easily recognisable. 

According to statistics issued by the United Nations, militant groups working under the patronage of the Taliban have killed more than 1,500 Hazara Shias in Pakistan in the past decade. Continual violence perpetrated against Hazaras, in the form of suicide attacks, targeted killings and bombings, has forced them to live in restricted areas, which has further led to economic difficulties for the minority.

“Everyone who leaves for work, leaves under the fear that he or she might not return," Mariam says. "Scores of Hazara men and women have left Pakistan for good because employment opportunities [in Pakistan] were extremely limited and the available ones were never safe”.

Human rights activist Nasir says whenever Hazaras face violence from militant groups, it's common to see non-Hazara people being invited to TV studios where they make sweeping remarks and judgements on the persecuted community. 

“They don’t even get to talk about their grievances themselves on the media,” he says. “They are not considered important enough to be given a platform, so when they die no one cares.”

After Mujtaba's death, Mariam and her family changed drastically. Her parents are ageing fast and she struggles to find peace and happiness.

“Every time I have been happy, I have wept too,” she says. “We lost our baby – the youngest member of our household – the centre of all our hopes and dreams,” she says.

While Mariam deals with the trauma of her brother's perpetual absence, she also feels that the tragedy defines who she is and what she stands for. 

“Someone once told me how he was shot. I chose to forget that. Call it denial, but that’s how I have survived all these years,” she says.

Mariam and her family settled down in Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, and except for the anniversary of Mujtaba's death they barely visit their relatives in Quetta.

The only memory Mariam holds on to is the last few moments she spent with her brother when he was taken to hospital after being shot. 

“I almost fainted at the sight of him lying in the hospital bed,” she recalls. “He looked so pale. I waved at him. He smiled back. That was the last time I saw him.” 

https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/the-trouble-with-being-hazara-in-pakistan-s-quetta-city-25558

Liberals in Pakistan fear hate crimes following lynching victim Mashal Khan's death

Mashal Khan, a student in Pakistan, was accused of blasphemy and killed by a mob in 2017. Now, the trial to convict his killers has raised questions about whether legal punishments will help prevent future hate crimes.

Twenty-three-year-old Mashal Khan was a student of mass communications at the Abdul Wali Khan University in Mardan, in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. He was beaten and shot to death by an angry mob on April 13, 2017, after being accused of blasphemy. The lynching took place within the premises of the university. Soon after, a video of the incident was shared on social media.

According to Mashal Khan's legal team in June 2017, a 13-member joint investigation team (JIT) concluded in its report that the allegations of blasphemy were unfounded and were used as a pretext to incite a mob against the student. The JIT found that Mashal had been vocal about the rights of students at the university, challenging the appointment of a new vice chancellor for reasons related to students' obtaining their degrees. The investigation also exposed illegal and criminal activities taking place, including the harassment of female students.

Altogether, 61 people were initially charged for their alleged involvement, with 57 being sentenced and four acquitted of all charges. Those recently convicted included Arif Khan, a councillor belonging to Prime Minister Imran Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI). The court said Arif provoked and instigated a mob of students against the victim. Two other accused were released.

"After the unfortunate incident, four of the accused had fled and they were arrested a few months ago. [The] verdict was against these four accused, with two of them released and two others handed down life imprisonment. We will appeal in the high court against the release of the two," Shahab Khattak, one of the lawyers representing Mashal Khan's family, told DW.

He also clarified that one of the guilty persons was sentenced to death and five others sent to prison for life. Twenty-five others were given a four-year jail term each. Now, the high court will hear the appeals of all convicts.

Although the family of Mashal Khan has expressed satisfaction over the verdict, Mashal's relatives feel that more needs to be done. Muhammad Iqbal, a poet and the father of Mashal Khan, told DW that he wanted all those who were involved in the murder to be convicted: "The murder of my son did not happen in any cave or in rugged mountains infested by militants and extremists. He was mercilessly lynched in broad daylight in an urban area. At least 57 fanatics participated in the lynching, of these, 26 were released. We have appealed against their release and I will go to any extent to get them convicted."

Rise in blasphemy-related killings

Blasphemy, the supposed "insult" of a religion, in this case of the Prophet Muhammad, is a crime in the South Asian country, where 97 percent of the 180 million people are Muslim. Rights activists claim the law is often used to settle petty disputes or personal vendettas.

Despite convictions in Mashal's case and several others before, incidents of blasphemy-related lynching have not subsided. On Wednesday, a student in Bahawalpur in Pakistan's Punjab province killed a professor on a college campus of a college for merely organizing a farewell party. The killer believed the professor's gathering, which included men and women, was un-Islamic. The incident shocked progressive circles of the country, who feel the space for liberal ideas is increasingly shrinking.

Bahawalpur also serves as the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammad, a militant outfit, which India blames for attacking a military convoy in India-administered Kashmir in February. In the last years, religious seminaries have mushroomed in the city, with a university lecturer languishing in jail for years on blasphemy charges. Similarly, in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, an Urdu language professor is in prison on charges of insulting Islam.

Recently, a mentally ill person belonging to the Christian community was charged under the blasphemy law after a mob thrashed him in Punjab's Sialkot district. The community of Christians in the district is living in fear after the incident. Like Pakistan's Christians, most blasphemy victims are from marginalized sections of society and any attempt to reform the blasphemy law could trigger a backlash.

In the past, a Christian federal minister, Shahbaz Bhatti, and the former Governor of Punjab, Salman Taseer, were killed for making demands to amend the law or stop its misuse. Taseer's assassin, Mumtaz Qadri, was handed the death penalty and hanged a few years ago, but this did not help prevent the wave of extremism. Instead, his followers declared him a hero, constructing a shrine on his grave close to the federal capital that is visited by thousands of people every year.

Similarly, people accused in Mashal's murder case, who were released some time back, were given a warm welcome, and many liberals fear that the convicted in this case will also be accorded a heroic status.

'No encouragement' for extremist groups

Given the circumstances, rights activists are not optimistic. "I do not think it will help reduce such incidents," Asad Iqbal Butt of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, an independent rights group that tracks human rights violations and such incidents, told DW about bringing the murderers to book.

"Until and unless we change our syllabus, crack down on extremist elements and take action against religious seminaries spreading hate, nothing will improve. We also need to change our state policy. We should not encourage extremist groups to set up religious seminaries in a bid to prepare jihadis [fighters] for waging wars in other countries. Such elements do not harm other countries only, they also wreak havoc in Pakistan, killing thousands of innocent (people)," he added.

Mashal's father agrees with Butt: "I think our syllabus [school subjects] and narrative need to be changed. We need to appoint teachers in schools and other educational institutions that do not propagate hatred and do not contaminate the minds of our children. We need to give the message of humanity to our new generations. Otherwise such incidents will continue [to happen]."

https://www.dw.com/en/liberals-in-pakistan-fear-hate-crimes-following-lynching-victim-mashal-khans-death/a-48022110

'Erasing the poor': Pakistanis feel crunch of rising prices

Saad Sayeed, Syed Raza Hassan

Pakistan’s surging petrol prices have more than halved the income of taxi driver Yasir Sultan, just one of many consumers whose faith in a government elected last year on a pledge to help the poor has been shattered.

Inflation at its highest in more than five years has shocked many Pakistanis who voted for Prime Minister Imran Khan and his promise to eradicate poverty, create jobs and build an Islamic welfare state.

“Imran Khan has said big things about getting rid of poverty, but he isn’t erasing poverty. He is erasing the poor,” Sultan, 30, told Reuters.

“Sometimes I think I should set this taxi on fire,” he said from behind the wheel of his rundown 1980s-era Suzuki Mehran.

Wrestling with a ballooning current account deficit as it seeks a 13th bailout package from the International Monetary Fund, the government has a hard choice - impose pain now or face a balance of payments crisis that could crash the economy.

Foreign reserves of $8.5 billion are better than the start of the year, but barely cover two months’ worth of imports.

“Demand compression is part of stabilization to bring down current account and trade deficits,” said Asad Sayeed, an economist at the Collective for Social Science Research.

Inflation was over 9.4 percent in March, its highest since November 2013, with strong increases in food and energy, the two most sensitive items for most consumers.

The central bank forecasts growth at 3.5-4 percent in the 12 months to end June, well off a government target of 6.2 percent.

With a large pool of surplus labor keeping wage rises in check, living standards will suffer, Sayeed said.

“I voted for PTI believing in Khan’s slogan for the change. Now, I am repenting,” said Sara Salman in the bustling eastern city of Lahore, referring to the prime minister’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf.

With the rupee losing over a quarter of its value in the past year, the squeeze is acute in the creaking power sector where the government is under pressure to cut subsidies cushioning consumers against sharp price hikes.

Authorities on Monday hiked petrol prices by 6 rupees to 98.88 rupees ($0.70) a liter, bringing pain to skilled workers who earn 1,000-1,300 rupees ($7.08-9.20) a day and laborers who make up to 600-800 rupees.

The price hikes will keep consumers away from all but essential items, economists say.

“The fiscal trajectory now depends on what extent the government is going to adjust energy prices,” said Saad Hashmey, chief economist at Topline Securities, adding it has to fix the energy deficit and bring earnings in line with production costs.

“If they are to go the full extent they need to plug the gap, then inflation in a few months will go into double digits,” he said.

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Finance Minister Asad Umer has said an IMF deal could be agreed by May, its 13th bailout since the late 1980s and the last one needed by Pakistan, the government says. While talks continue, Pakistan has sought help from China, its partner in the $60-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, part of Beijing’s vast Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have also extended about $11 billion in loans and credit arrangements on oil deliveries in recent months.

The government says it is stepping up efforts to replace imports with domestic production and build up an export sector that has traditionally relied on textiles with special economic zones designed to attract new investment. It is also trying to widen the tax net to boost collections, but has struggled on both fronts.

Rising oil prices and a currency devaluation “were bound to happen”, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said this week, adding, “God willing, a better time will be coming.”

For a government that promised an “Islamic welfare state” focused on uplifting the poor, the forecast is uncomfortably vague, observers say.

“They have to undertake a very painful economic adjustment,” said Khurram Hussain, business editor of Pakistan’s Dawn Newspaper. That means higher taxes and interest rates, lower imports and government spending, and a devalued rupee, he said.

“In that environment it is extremely difficult to deliver on welfare oriented promises,” Hussain said.

While economists believe Pakistan has no choice but to cut spending and raise prices, consumers’ patience is wearing thin.

“The current financial policies and price-hike shows contempt for the people,” said Muhammad Waqas, a Lahore school teacher. “If the PTI government cannot resolve these problems, it should step down.”
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-economy/erasing-the-poor-pakistanis-feel-crunch-of-rising-prices-idUSKCN1RG0GS

#Pakistan - #PPP to march on Islamabad

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Thursday threatened to march on Islamabad to topple the ‘selected’ government of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

“The selected prime minister says the federation is bankrupt because of the 18th Amendment. He doesn’t know that strong provinces are the foundation of a strong nation. You can’t repeal the 18th Amendment. I am warning you, if you try to repeal it, I will … end your government,” Bilawal Bhutto Zardari told a gathering in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh on the occasion of PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s 40th death anniversary.

Bilawal warned the prime minister to not attempt to repeal the 18th Amendment. “Those who are sitting in the Prime Minister’s Office have become a symbol of arrogance,” he said. “Those who are parading the idea of Naya Pakistan should first understand the foundations of the old Pakistan,” he said, and reiterated his party’s stance that the PPP would stand steadfast against the PTI government trying to amend the 18th Amendment. He went on to say that the PPP will not allow a one-unit system in the country in line with the PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s political stance. “Bhutto Shaheed had said that if a One Unit [system] was brought, then he would just be kicking it away. Today I say that if 18th Amendment is rolled back or efforts are made to impose One Unit, then I will kick away the government,” he said. Bilawal slammed the prime minister for having reportedly said that he does not need Sindh. “He (PM) says he doesn’t want Sindh. You don’t want Sindh? Sindh also doesn’t need you. He only wants Sindh’s resources, and its gas. He wants to take away the rights of Sindh, steal KP’s assets, and keep Balochistan deprived.

Provincial governments make provincial decisions, and this is how nations are strengthened but this is beyond this puppet prime minister’s understanding,” he said.

Bilawal said people are being terrorised with price hike. “He [PM] is terrorising the public with hiked up prices,” he said, adding that the people are fed up of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) policies. “The public wants relief, not a rise in the price of basic necessities,” he said.

“Since PTI has come to power, they have done nothing with sincerity, except lying. There is a tsunami of inflation. Everything is getting expensive,” Bilawal said. “The finance minister says that their economic policies will make the people scream [with agony]. He says he doesn’t know anything about agriculture. I want to ask: is he a minister or an economic terrorist?” he continued. “People are being rendered homeless due to encroachment measures. Someone tell them that economy is not run on charity or magic.

When we try to show them the mirror, they start NAB-gardi. But do they think that Bhutto’s grandson can be threatened; that Benazir’s son will be scared; and that PPP workers will run away? We will fight together, struggle together and complete Benazir and Zulfikar Bhutto’s incomplete mission,” he thundered.

Bilawal asked why justice for ZA Bhutto’s ‘judicial murder’ has not been served despite four decades having passed by. “Today is the 40th year of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s judicial murder,” he said. “This is a tragic chapter of the history. This day is asking a question from this country: why was the protector of poor public murdered? He opened the way for 90,000 prisoners to return home, he turned this country into an atomic power. Who signed his death warrant? That question is still awaiting an answer,” he continued. “The [former] president submitted a request eight years ago that we should get answers for the murder of our founder. Why do the scales of justice tip one side when it comes to us [Bhuttos]?” he asked.

Bilawal said the cases against him are also based on ‘false allegations’, and claimed that he has not been given a fair chance to present his answers in the court. “I have not been able to record my statement before any court,” he said. “All I get are three minutes [to speak] before the court and then they say ‘this is something we never heard’. I want to ask the honourable judges to summon old transcripts and recordings,” he added.

The PPP leader questioned why the Supreme Court took a suo motu notice of the fake bank accounts case. “The Supreme Court’s power of suo motu is only exercised in human rights cases or legal complications,” he noted. “Why was it exercised in this (fake accounts) case? The reason given was that the progress of this case was slow, even though the case was being heard in a banking court and the FIA had even presented an initial challan. [By that argument], aren’t missing persons, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto murder cases also proceeding slowly?” he asked. “I am not saying that don’t hold anyone accountable but don’t use accountability to hide your sins or as a revenge tool,” he added.

“When I ask why the NAP (National Action Plan) is not implemented, and why do federal ministers have close ties to militants, a movement to declare me as anti-national is started. I demanded the removal of that trio but Khan instead appointed a man who is nominated in cases from Daniel Pearl to Benazir’s murders,” Bilawal said. “They can’t tolerate Benazir, so much so that they want to remove her name from the Benazir Income Support Programme. They actually want to end the programme but Benazir is not a person, she is a mission,” he asserted.

PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari urged his party’s supporters to ‘march towards Islamabad’ and oust the government. “Before the elections, I told you that they want to repeal the 18th Amendment,” Zardari said. “That’s why they are lodging cases against us. At the time, some friends believed me and some people made fun. Now you have seen that the selected prime minister’s bubble has burst. He said he does not have funds. If you can’t collect funds through the FBR (Federal Board of Revenue), then leave,” he continued. “It is time for us to march towards Islamabad and oust them [government]. I don’t want to do this because I want to be in government; [it is because] he (Prime Minister Khan) has already taken the country 50 years back. If we allow him to remain, he will take us 100 years back.”

https://dailytimes.com.pk/373402/ppp-to-march-on-islamabad/

‘Zulfikar Ali Bhutto is a name that cannot be forgotten’

“Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was a real leader of the public, as he dedicated his life for the betterment and improvement of his country and his nation,” said Peoples Youth Organisation (PYO) Sindh General Secretary Shoaib Mirza in a statement released on Thursday.

He said that the 40th martyrdom anniversary of Bhutto was commemorated with honour and respect. “Shaheed-e-Jamhooriat spent his life for ensuring democratic traditions and values in Pakistan. He always did politics for the improvement of his nation and country.”

Mirza said that today the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is moving forward with the mission of its great leader. “The world knows that the manifesto of the PPP is a public service. Bhutto played a great role in making the country a nuclear force.”

He said that Bhutto’s martyrdom anniversary was celebrated with great respect as always, adding that the PYO Sindh arranged Quran Khwani in all the districts of the province. On the occasion PYO Sindh Spokesman Taimoor Ali Mahar said that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto is a name that cannot be forgotten. He also said that the PYO was offering a tribute to their great leader on his martyrdom anniversary.

He said that the sacrifices of the Bhutto family for democracy are endless, adding that the end of the Jagirdar system in the country was a great feat of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Mahar said that the constitution of the country, the equality of law for the poor and the rich, education, health, employment opportunities — these are all part of the PPP’s manifesto.

“Bhutto brought politics out of the drawing room and into the streets. The direction in which our great leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is moving forward the mission of the PPP is highly appreciated.”

He said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s government has given nothing to the people except troubles and frustration. “The Niazi government has completely flopped. Imran Khan is an expert in U-turns. The present government has pushed the people into a sea of unemployment and troubles.”

The PYO spokesman said that politicians of today should learn from Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s ideology and policies. “There is no such politician like him in Pakistan’s history. We will devote our lives to carry forward the goal of our great leader.”

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/453441-zulfikar-ali-bhutto-is-a-name-that-cannot-be-forgotten

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Video - #ZulfikarAliBhutto #PPP Fiery speeches of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto that stand the test of time I Samaa Digital | Jan 05, 2019

Fighting for freedom: ‘Bhutto was inspired by Chinese, Indonesian leaders’

Zulfikar Ali’s Bhutto’s death was a historical tragedy of the greatest order which occurred on April 4, 1979, said SZABIST President Shahnaz Wazir Ali.

She was speaking at a session held on the third day of the ZAB Media Festival 2019 to pay tribute to Bhutto on his death anniversary.

Ali started her speech by saying that Bhutto is one of the most significant and revolutionary leaders of all time. “Nothing is ever adequate to capture what Bhutto was,” she said. The powerful impact that Bhutto had on Pakistan, be it his thinking or his politics, is still talked about.

“It has been 40 years and we still talk about him. We remember him as a leader and a man who stood for a social democratic system in Pakistan. He was the man who spoke for the rights of the people and the third world,” she said.

She was of the view that everyone has the right to choose whether they want to support Bhutto or not. “Some people are strongly pro-Bhutto and some are anti-Bhutto. Whether you’re a supporter of the ideology of the Pakistan Peoples Party and Bhutto’s vision or you disagree with him on his policies, you can’t deny that he was a defining leader in Pakistan’s history.” She said most people have very strong emotions for the leader.

Ali believes that Bhutto had begun to realise that Pakistan was standing at crossroads as Field Marshal General Muhammad Ayub Khan was bringing in a controlled democracy. “It was at that time that Bhutto felt strong enough to begin to formulate his political views,” she said. “His thinking was influenced by the great leaders of the time from Indonesia and China who spoke about freedom. He was inspired by them and worked to fight against controlled democracy.”

She shared that Ayub Khan did not believe in everybody having the right to vote. He had created a structure of indirect voting and not everybody was allowed to contest the elections. “At that time, everybody was deprived. Bhutto stood up against it,” she added.

“He was very conscious of international politics and felt that within the country we were deprived of democracy and there was elitism. As many as 22 families controlled [most] of the assets and wealth of Pakistan. Bhutto stood up to dictator General Ayub Khan and said I will not be silent any longer because you have sold out Pakistan’s interest.”

She shared that in 1960 there was a rising trend of the people’s movement and democratic movements. Bhutto had established the PPP and went to the people. “That was the defining moment of the change in Pakistan’s politics,” she said.

“He went to the deprived, the powerless, the people who didn’t have a voice, the oppressed and he raised a voice on their issues. That is the reason why he is known as a revolutionary leader,” she shared.

“So today, we remember a man who had such a powerful effect on Pakistan. The country is not what it was pre-1970s. He was the voice of the voiceless.”

According to her, Bhutto’s death was a conspiracy. “When Bhutto initiated the nuclear program in 1965, the USA was very unhappy with him. That was the conspiracy which was made to stop his government as the leaders did not want a powerful nuclear armed state.”

Ali expressed her opinion that dictators came and went, but Bhutto fought for freedom. “There has been a very bitter and long struggle behind a free and democratic Pakistan, and the right of the student, writer and thinker.”

“If that day had not occurred, Pakistan would be a different country,” she said.

https://www.samaa.tv/news/politics/2019/04/fighting-for-freedom-bhutto-was-inspired-by-chinese-indonesian-leaders/

- Zulfikar Ali Bhutto !!!! - (January 5, 1928-April 4, 1979) - Bhutto still rules hearts and minds

By: M Waqar 

The possibility of the secular, democratic Pakistan that he had in mind, like Pakistan 's founder, Jinnah has earned ZAB the title of Quaid-i-Awam . Z. A. Bhutto has still more charisma than any politician in Pakistan. Mr Bhutto was inducted into office as the President of Pakistan in 1971 and was removed in 1977, both events took place around midnight; one in the wake of a war and the other in the shadow of a civil war. In between he gave the country what even his sympathizers and admirers would concede was a 'strong' government, he mobilized his country's first mass-based political party around a socialist ideology and highly independent foreign policy. Pakistan's modernizer Zulfikar Ali Bhutto left deep footprints in the sands of history. 

To his lasting credit remains the 1973 Constitution of the country, the Shimla Accord of 1972 which brought the longest peace between India and Pakistan, the social reforms to build an egalitarian society, the non-aligned foreign policy, the nuclear programme and the building of the social, economic and military infrastructure of the country. He was a thinker, author and orator. He was deliberate, discreet, and competent; honest, upright and keeper of his covenants. He was a friend of the poor, downtrodden and oppressed. Fearless in his beliefs he refused to bow before any man or power other than the Almighty. His courage was such that he preferred to face death for his beliefs and embraced martyrdom. He had profound faith in freedom and the liberation of humanity. Under his government, Pakistan gave overt and covert support to the African nations than under apartheid and minority rule. He rejected fanaticism. He gave pride to the poor.

He gave voice to the voiceless and power to the powerless of the country. He helped them shape their own destiny and the destiny of their country. He was a man of honour who gave honour and raised the honour of his country and his people. He was able to do this because the people of the country from Khyber to the shores of the Arabian sea in Karachi loved him and supported him. Bhutto brought back 90,000 prisoners of war, prevented their war crime trials and also restored the territory lost on the battlefield. As leader of the Third World he spoke boldly against racism, colonialism and imperialism. He fearlessly defended the right of nations to independence. When the 1973 Ramazan war broke out, he sent Pakistan's military to defend the borders of the Muslim countries, including the Golan Heights of Syria. ZAB's short life of 50 years was spent in the service of many international, regional and national causes. The most important and the most enduring legacy of the Quaid-i-Awam was raising the consciousness of the people for democracy. He awakened the masses, making them realise they were the legitimate fountainhead of political power. He enlightened the farmer, the industrial worker, the student, the woman and the rest of the common people of their importance and of their right of franchise, which is the definite means of bringing changes for the betterment of the lives of the common people. Z. A. Bhutto's rule brought a transformation of Pakistan's rules of the game, a new populist style of governance, a new governmentality, he favoured a much more active role of the state in relation to society, he reshaped the economic and political landscape of Pakistan. He reached out to masses, aroused their feelings and disciplined their minds. The role of Bhutto family in the uplifting of the poor is unforgettable. 

Z A Bhutto is the first person in Pakistan who has given voice to the common people. Z. A. Bhutto remains alive in hearts of millions of Pakistanis. It was a miracle that in less than half a decade a defeated nation had become a significant entity in the comity of nations. Pakistan had friends all around the globe from Africa to the far corner of Asia and from Europe to South America. We were regarded as a nation which had proved itself. Pakistani manpower was exported in the Middle East and the statesmanship of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had started bearing fruit. Under Z A Bhutto's rule, a new vision of Pakistan was born. Within a few years of the defeat in 1971, Pakistan began to see itself not as some beleaguered non-entity in South Asia, as the Indian establishment was prone to see it, but as a strategically located middle-sized power straddling the two worlds of South and West Asia, uniquely poised to take advantage of a host of geopolitical possibilities and enjoying widespread support among the Islamic states. He is one of the few Pakistani leaders that energized the nation and gave it a sense of optimism. Z A Bhutto, saw the future of Pakistan. 

Like Jinnah he outwitted Indira Gandhi at Shimla and formed alliances with various world leaders, from Sadaat, to Boumediene to Qaddafi to Faisal. Pakistan survives today because of those alliances that enabled him to build the Nuclear bomb. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto understood the geo-political realities of the region. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto has earned a place in the pantheon of leaders from the Third World who earned everlasting fame in the struggle against colonialism and imperialism. He had the privilege of interacting with many of those leaders who played a great role in the epic struggle for national independence in the 20th century, including Mao Tse Tung, Ahmed Soekarno, Chou-en Lai, Gamal Abdel Nasser and Salvador Allende. During the period between the end of the Second World War and the end of the Cold War, the world was divided into two blocs: The Capitalist West and the Socialist East. All these leaders aspired to aspects of a socialist pattern of economy. Bhutto shared their faith in a leading role for the public sector as an instrument of self-reliance. Bhutto's foundation of the PPP was a setback for the reactionary forces in a country long dominated by the Right. The slogan of "Food, Shelter and Clothing" shifted the focus of Pakistan politics from theological to economic issues. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had the courage of his conviction to decide to lay down his life rather than compromise or seek appeasement. 

The last chapter of his life is a glorious example of martyrdom for the cause of resurrection of democracy. At the time of his overthrow, Bhutto was emerging as a spokesman of the World of Islam and the leader of the Third World. The age of Bhutto was an Age of Revolution, he was the architect of the China Policy, Pakistan Steel Mill, Agriculture Reforms. Although his life and career were cruelly terminated, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto will forever shine in history as one of the Great leaders who took part in the liberation of the Third World from the yoke of Imperialism and Neo Colonialism during the Twentieth Century. He could have easily entered into a deal, as others did, at the cost of principles, to save his life and move out. How cruel it strikes to bring down such a sincere leader like Bhutto with rare caliber, competence and integrity, Bhutto never colluded with generals, he confronted them. Mr. Bhutto remains a memorable figure . He commanded the allegiance of millions of people inside Pakistan, across the Muslim world and in the Third World as a hero of the people. His leadership gave pride to his followers, to his Nation and to oppressed people everywhere. He conquered the hearts of a Nation through supreme qualities of leadership, vision, intellectual breadth, charisma, dauntlessness, bravery, boldness and a programme for political redemption of an exploited people, he built the foundations of education and industrialization in the country. He liberated the small farmers and peasants from the repression and cruelty of big landlords and banished the jagirdari and sardari system declaring that all citizens are born equal and must live with equal rights. The Taliban, the terrorist groups and the new war against terror are the direct result of the overthrow of the modernizing government of Z. A. Bhutto and its replacement by a clique of military officers that cynically used the name of religion to promote their own illegal stay in power. Quaid e Awam was murdered but his memory lives on in the monuments he built. It lives on in his ideas. And it lives on in the hearts of all men and women who believe that humanity can only progress when there is tolerance, freedom, dignity and equal opportunity for all. Pakistan survived due to the leadership of a bold and courageous leader, a people's leader, who had the vision to break the shackles of poverty to emancipate his people and lead them into a new decade of glory, strength and achievement. Quaid e Awam built the most modern schools, colleges, universities, professional colleges, vocational training institutes, including Quaid-e-Azam University, Allama Iqbal Open University, Chandka Medical College and many others. He built hospitals to take care of the sick and poor. He opened the way for the middle classes to develop and prosper in the fields of medicine, engineering , law and other specialist studies. He introduced peaceful nuclear energy to help treat cancer setting up the first cancer treating institutes in the four provinces of Pakistan. He built roads in the tribal areas and the Northern areas knowing how poor and oppressed people in the distant areas of Pakistan were. Internationally, using his experience as Foreign Minister, he hosted the Islamic Summit Conference in Lahore. It was at this conference that the Palestinian Liberation Organization was recognized as the authentic voice of the Muslims. He advocated closer relations with the Muslim countries arguing for a common economic bloc with banking and other financial institutions long before regional blocs became identified as the economic way forward. Bhutto pushed politics out of the posh drawing rooms into real Pakistan - into the muddy lanes and villages of the poor. Bhutto's inspiring leadership filled Pakistanis with hope, energy and strength. 

There was a sense of purpose and direction in the country in pursuit of peace and prosperity. The economic growth rate increased and money poured in from expatriates who got the universal right to passport. The Muslim countries donated roughly $500 million annually to Pakistan, freeing it of international financial institutions. The people got jobs and opportunities. Women of the country were emancipated entering the police force, Foreign, Civil Service and subordinate judiciary for the first time in the country's history. There is a story that the American President John F. Kennedy was much impressed with the then Foreign Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. When they met, Kennedy walked with him in the Rose Garden and said, "Bhutto, if you were an American, you would be in my Cabinet". To which Zulfikar Ali Bhutto smilingly replied, "No, Mr. President. If I were an American, you would be in my cabinet". Z A Bhutto, was highly skilled negotiator and an international statesman, he secured the agreement between USSR and Pakistan, he signed an agreement with China on demarcation of the Sino-Pak boundary. When he became President, Pakistan had innumerable problems, but he was not a man to be cowed down by knotty problems, he was in fact, a dynamo of inexhaustible and boundless creative energy, he was born to solve problems , he had to tackle the problems of shattered country by a methodical system of fixing priorities. Bhutto the adroit politician and statesman tackled the difficult problems of his country one by one with devotion, determination and patriotic zeal and solved them successfully. Since his assumption of power this great man of vision and destiny, equipped with resolute will, extraordinary intelligence and seething patriotic zeal fought successfully against the landlords, capitalists, industrialists, religious fanatics, corrupt bureaucrats, saboteurs, foreign intriguers and spies, he stood like a rock against all odds and achieved national unity, he worked hard for the emancipation of the exploited working class and illiterate masses. His cruel and barbaric murder by military despots caused revulsion across the globe, Z A Bhutto dedicated his life to remove the sorrows from the hearts of the poor and the oppressed, to remove the tears from the children of his poor nation. He lived consciously to make history and to leave a legacy in the form of the development of his nation, his fight was a fight against the policies of IMF, which serve to perpetuate the backwardness of the developing nations. 

Bhutto is rightfully credited with saving Pakistan at this dark moment in its history, as French President Giscard d'Estaing said, "he was the man who incarnated Pakistan at a dramatic hour of its history. Tolstoy in the last volume of his War and Peace expressed that history is a movement of ideas in which political leaders play a minor role. Sometimes the movement of ideas is indeed rapid. Yet, at times, the movement of ideas is slower than the melting of the glaciers. The movement of ideas is facilitated in a vibrant political and democratic culture, which gives room for dissent and disagreement. In dictatorial societies, history remains static in a cold freeze. And so it was in Pakistan before Quaid-i-Awam. He was the one who converted that static and decayed dictatorial polity into a vibrant and dynamic democratic society; the cost of which he paid with his own life. He who gave his blood, and the blood of his sons and daughter, 

Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, knew that there can be no sacrifice greater than the sacrifice for the people whose respect, honour and dignity is the respect and dignity of the Nation. Quaid e Awam made the people proud of themselves and of their Nation. The 20th century has seen many great leaders, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto is one of them. Due to his glorious achievements, Mr. Bhutto rules the hearts of the Pakistani people from his grave. He was not only the leader of Pakistan, he was the leader of an Islamic world, the leader of Third World. He will forever be remembered by his countrymen as Quaid-e-Awam. As his followers say, "Zinda Hai Bhutto, Zinda Hai"--Bhutto lives, he lives. Indeed he does, in the hearts of all those who dream of a better tomorrow.

Long Live Bhuttoism….