Benazir Bhutto - SZABIST

The Nation
December 29, 2007
The tragedy of the Bhuttos
Fakir S. Ayazuddin
She was a brave heroine of Sindh, who gave her life in pursuing her dream of democracy for her
Pakistan. She died doing what she loved best, addressing her workers and in the company of her
admiring followers.
She was a consummate politician, born into politics, nurtured by her father, himself a leader steeped in
the Byzantine intrigues of Sindh, who rushed straight into the hurly-burly of the Martial Law regimes
of the fifties. But the proximity of the army in Pakistan's politics was never really accepted by Mr
Bhutto, and eventually Ziaul Haq ousted him and then cruelly eliminated probably the most
charismatic leader Pakistan had seen till that date. This was the beginning of the sad history of the
Bhuttos. While the world leadership cried out for Bhutto's life to be spared, Bhutto did not wince, nor
did he for a moment beg for forgiveness. His strength and resolve sealed his fate.
His hanging, set the seal of the Bhutto name on the body politic of Pakistan forever. And so when
Benazir stepped into the 1988 election, she assumed the mantle and legacy of the Bhutto legend, with
consummate ease. Moving into the campaign mode, she won and was sworn in as Pakistan's first
woman Prime Minister, with the whole world charmed by her appearance, and by her communication
skills, she moved on the international stage with the skill of a born leader. Her confidence and
presence was equal to any foreign leader, and Pakistan benefited from the exercise of these skills.
Unfortunately she was removed form office on charges of corruption which were still pending against
her at the time of her tragic death.
Having lost her two brothers earlier, both in tragic circumstances, it is a pity that she is the fourth of
her family to have been cut short of their natural life. She could have done so much more for Pakistan,
and her Party. More unfortunate is the vacuum left behind within the Party, for the Party without a
Bhutto has not been conceivable as yet. For the PPP was an anti-establishment party, founded by Mr.
Bhutto, and in his image, for even when he was President of Pakistan he was vehemently antiestablishment.
And Benazir was cast in the same mould, as strong, and as rigid as her father before
her.
She had not realized that after eight years this was a different Pakistan, and the undercurrents were far
more sinister than she could imagine.
I have written earlier that the Lal Masjid affair was not just an aberration but a grim reality of the
enemies in our midst. President Musharraf has said this time and again, but to no avail. This now was
a dramatic example of their ability to strike at will, and their callous disregard of any human values.
It is a pity their target, Benazir, was so valuable to Pakistan, and the loss of whom may lead to
destabilising our country whose future is now in serious jeopardy.
The country should take a deep breath and analyze the malaise in our system. All the political parties
should get together on this issue for it is their collective job to join against this monster. Luckily for us
none of the political parties can possibly have any link with these criminals, but we need to make this
a declared common enemy, if we are to remain a cohesive state.