Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Recollections and remembrances

THE MAN WHO MEANT BUSINESSMr. F. K. Bandial“If you wish that the scars ofmemory remain fresh in yourbosom, then every now andthen do recapitulate the pastevents.”I served in the government of Mr. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in important positions suchas Commissioner Rawalpindi Division, Chief Secretary Punjab, Chief SecretaryNorth-West Frontier Province and Federal Secretary. Indeed there is nothingexceptional about these appointments, except that they did (and still do) providean extra measure of proximity and exposure, whereby one had the opportunity ofseeing the Prime Minister from a close quarter.The story that I would like to recapitulate is a composite of certain events andperiscopic, since they derive from what I saw of Mr. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto asPresident and Prime Minister of Pakistan, from within the narrow confines of myofficial duties at a given point of time. Evidently they would not fullycomprehend, not adequately portray the attributes of a leader of his stature andproportions. Limitations of canvas not withstanding I am recording myrecollections by way of a tribute to him. Also may be this narrative is of somerelevance to his peers and of some interest to my fraternity the bureaucracy.My first two contacts with Mr. Bhutto are separated by a span of over three years:but in nature and circumstance the divide ranges from incarceration togovernance.He had been detained in 1968 by the West Pakistan Government undermaintenance of Public Order and lodged in the Montgomery (Sahiwal) Jail. Upona complaint of sub-standard conditions and treatment there the West PakistanHigh Court passed some strictures and ordered his shifting to the District jailLahore. He had been given “A” class by the Government. As District MagistrateLahore deemed it my duty to see that he was provided entitlements of “A” class.Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Recollections and Remembrances; Copyright © www.bhutto.org 132