Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Recollections and remembrances

When we grew up we started writing short stories and novels. These wouldusually be tragic.Nusrat Auntie was concerned. She told Chacha. “I ask them not to write tragedies.They should write things which make readers happy”.“Do not slop them. Let them write what they feel. Whatever they want to write”.Chacha advised her.Little did we know that a real life tragedy awaited us and the nation.A strange incident took place after Chacha’s Shahadat. People used to say thatthey had seen Chacha’s picture in the moon. I and Rukhsana would keep awakeevery night from the moon rise to its setting staring at the moon.We did not see Chacha in the moon, but after about three months of his Shahadatwe went to Sehwan to pay our respects at the Mazar of Hazrat Lal ShahbazQalandar. Even there I and Rukhsana continued our stare at the moon. Everymorning around four o’clock we used to go to the Mazar. After returning fromthere we would take tea and then go to sleep.It was Fair time on Friday. We had returned from the Mazat. I took my tea andremained in the courtyard, while Rukhsana went inside to sleep.Rukhsana relates that she was woken up by a strong light that was falling on hereyes. When she opened her eyes she saw that Shaheed Chaca was standing in theadjoining room. He was wearing emerlad green Shalwar Kamiz.Rukhsana was startled. She immediately closed her eyes, and then she heard avoice. “Today is Friday. Bhutto Shaheed had come to the Mazar to pay hisrespects. On the way back he stopped to see his children.”In our last meeting in his death cell he had regretted. “Today I can not offer youeven a cup of tea”.Even now the teacup shakes in our hands when we remember these words.When we were children we used to feel proud of the great Martyrs of Islam andZulfikar Ali Bhutto, Recollections and Remembrances; Copyright © www.bhutto.org 36