Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto defied the suffocating politics of his time and nurtured a new consciousness rooted in human rights, dignity, equality and justice. He rejected absolutism and tried to transform politics into public service. As we mark his death anniversary, we reflect not only on a remarkable leader, but on the lasting imprint he left on Pakistan’s identity and democratic imagination.
Long after his passing, his light refuses to dim, his voice refuses to fade and his vision of an inclusive, just, united, prosperous, strong and dignified Pakistan continues to guide our great nation. I am proud that my own political journey was shaped and inspired by Quaid-e-Awam’s ideology and ideas. His conviction that power belonged to the people has been a guiding light for me through all the offices I have held. Today, as I preside over the Senate, I see his vision embodied in the Constitution he gave us and in the institution he devised to protect our federation.
Shaheed Bhutto’s journey to leadership was shaped early on by the towering figure of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. At just seventeen years old, he wrote to the Quaid and declared that he would one day sacrifice his life for Pakistan. And true to his word, he sacrificed his life for Pakistan exactly thirty-four years later in April 1979. Jinnah wrote back advising him to study politics thoroughly but not neglect his education. That exchange marked the beginning of a relationship that would define Bhutto’s political philosophy. He carried Jinnah’s memory with him throughout his life.
With an illustrious academic career at Berkeley and Oxford, where he completed a demanding law degree in just two years, Bhutto returned to Pakistan. He soon represented the country at the United Nations, and in 1958, at the age of 30, he became the youngest cabinet member in Pakistan’s history.
His diplomatic skills were evident early on. When he met US President John F Kennedy at the White House in 1963, Kennedy remarked that if Bhutto were American, he would be in his cabinet. Bhutto’s response was characteristically sharp: “Be careful Mr. President, if I were an American I would be in your place”.
Razor-sharp wit, a formidable intellect and an unwavering commitment to Pakistan’s sovereignty made him a towering figure on the world stage. As foreign minister, he brought balance to Pakistan’s foreign policy, forged closer ties with China and advocated an independent course that served the nation’s interests. He supported China’s admission to the United Nations, a bold move that laid the foundation for the relationship “higher than the Himalayas and deeper than the oceans” that continues to benefit Pakistan today.
However, Shaheed Bhutto’s true greatness emerged like a phoenix from the very ashes of the war in 1971. Those were troubled times. Pakistan was a broken nation. Half the country had been lost, and five thousand square miles of territory were under occupation. The world had written us off. Yet within months, through sheer diplomatic acumen, Bhutto secured the release of our prisoners and the return of our land through the Simla Agreement. He had prepared carefully, consulted opposition leaders, military leaders and visited fourteen Muslim countries to secure their support before entering into negotiations with Indira Gandhi.
And, undoubtedly, perhaps his greatest gift to the nation and the country was the Constitution of 1973. Before Bhutto, Pakistan had never had a democratic constitution framed by the will of its people. He gave us a constitution which declared that sovereignty belongs to Allah Almighty but the people of Pakistan are its trustees. He created the Senate to ensure that all provinces, large and small, would have an equal vote.
Equally transformative and very decisive were his domestic reforms. Within three months of taking office, he announced land reforms and distributed over 800,000 acres to landless peasants. He established Pakistan Steel Mills, built Port Qasim and laid the foundation of Quaid-i-Azam University. His government prioritized labor welfare and expanded access to education, making education free up to matriculation. These policies were part of a coherent vision encapsulated in his slogan Roti, Kapra aur Makan.
Years later, this commitment found its strongest expression in Benazir’s Income Support Programme, which I had the honor of launching as Prime Minister. Today, BISP is recognized globally as one of the most effective social safety nets, empowering women and lifting millions out of poverty.
Shaheed Bhutto always had his fingers on the pulse of the masses. He understood the geopolitical and strategic alchemy that bound Pakistan’s destiny to the Muslim world. In February 1974, he hosted the Islamic Summit in Lahore that brought together leaders from thirty-eight Muslim nations. King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, Anwar Sadat of Egypt, Colonel Gaddafi of Libya and Yasser Arafat were among the distinguished guests.
Equally unwavering was his commitment to Pakistan’s defence. He had famously declared that Pakistan would “eat grass” if necessary to acquire nuclear capability. As prime minister, he took the initiative for the nuclear program. The program completed after his martyrdom has ensured Pakistan’s security for all time.
And then darkness descended when his democratically elected government was overthrown in July 1977. What followed was a judicial process recognized by the world as a travesty and ultimately a ‘judicial murder’. Despite international appeals from leaders across the globe, he was sent to the gallows on April 4, 1979. His daughter Benazir’s account of their last meeting, with iron bars separating father from daughter, remains one of the most poignant passages in Pakistan’s history.
The Bhutto family paid an extraordinary price – the Quaid-e-Awam, his sons Shahnawaz and Murtaza and his beloved daughter and the first female Prime Minister of the Muslim world and Pakistan Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, all gave their lives for the cause of the people. Today, President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari carry forward this legacy with unwavering dedication.
Throughout my political and parliamentary journey, I have endeavored to honor that vision. The 18th Amendment Bill passed during my tenure as Prime Minister was a historic step towards realizing Bhutto’s dream of provincial autonomy.
Shaheed Bhutto once said, “We are not mere heirs of a party, we are guardians of a vision”. That vision was a Pakistan where the poor are not forgotten, where the provinces are not silent, where democracy is not a slogan but a way of life.
As we remember him today, let us renew our commitment to this vision. His light continues to guide us. May his soul rest in eternal peace. May his vision continue to inspire generations.
The author is the Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Pakinomist.tv’s editorial policy.
Originally published in The News
