Murtaza Bhutto

Fowzia also asked Pakistan Link to publish her letter to her daughter Fatima
as she had no other means of getting it to her. Here is the text of the letter.
I would like to send this letter to my daughter through your newspaper,
Pakistan Link.
My dearest Fati, I departed from Karachi heartbroken, but savouring the
treasure of my brief glimpse of you. I felt simultaneously, numb and
overcome by emotions when we met. It was the fruition of years of longing
for the opportunity to spend even a few moments with you.
I had spent three sleepless nights, driving around your house, wishing and
seeking a way to see and hold you. Had I known or even suspected that you
would be taken from me so quickly again, I would have memorised your
every physical feature, mannerism and expressions. The fleeting time we
spend together, coupled with details and descriptions of you gleaned from
my mother, your grandmother are the basis of my memories of you.
Dear Fati, I travelled to Karachi so full of hopes and love. I came because I
truly want to build a relationship between us and offer you the chance to
know your cousins. I want us to know the meaning, comfort and love of
family.
My motives are pure. As you know, since I was explicit to Ghinwa in your
presence, I am not seeking political gain or an inheritance. I want to heal the
heartache that has inflicted me daily for the past eleven years - a mother's
natural, overwhelming desire to be with, love and care for her child. I am
certain that when you are blessed with a child, you will fully understand the
depth of this powerful bond. I had hoped that Ghinwa, herself a mother,
would understand my anguish and act to reunite us.
You were welcomed with love to this world. I carried you for nine months,
and held you in my arms, close to my heart throughout your first years. I,
probably more than anyone else, understand the heartbreak and sorrow you
have experienced since our abrupt separation when you were just three years
old. I would give anything to relief you of this pain and to be a part of your
life again.
Life is very short and for me, has been full of sorrow. While I have devoted
my life to teaching children, there is no way for me to fill the void your
Murtaza Bhutto; Copyright © www.bhutto.org
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