Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Recollections and remembrances

man who took swift steps for building the PPP. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto decided totake up on Ayub.When Hayat Khan Sherpao contacted me I lost no time in joining the PPP. Theland had already been ploughed and watered only sowing the seed was left. Withmy joining the party rain of harassment started falling on our family. The politicaladministration of the area took a very serious note of it and initiated all theintimidatory steps which they had to. My father being over sixty was enjoying thechieftainship of his own tribe since a long time. He was stripped off everything. Ihad to quit the house of my father as I was deemed to be responsible for all hismiseries. After a couple of years my father reconciled with me and brought meback. He started supporting me which gave me great moral strength and I startedworking more vigorously for the party.At the end of 1969 Zulfikar Ali Bhutto made a tour programme of MalakandAgency, Dir and Swat. It was the first occasion that I had to meet with my leader.We were waiting for his reception at Sakhkot in a big procession. MalakandAgency coming first before Dir and Swat enroute on his tour. I was to receive himfirst. As I had never seen him before and his stature and role were so high andoverwhelming in my mind that I was literally sinking because of nervousness. Atlast the wait ended and the cavalcade appeared. A ripple started in the crowd. Onarrival I opened the car’s gate. My Leader emerged. Tall graceful like a cedar tree,with very impressive looks. We shook hands. He asked me “how are you Hanif,and how are people (Awam) here. These were the first words spoken to me by myleader which I continue to cherish. I replied, “Sir, I am fine and people here arewaiting for your guidance.”He gave me a smile and after shaking hands with the others we started the tour ofdifferent villages and in the evening reached “Tor-mor” Rest House which issituated above the spiraled road on the top of a hillock while descending downfrom Malakand towards Swat. Our leader had to stay there for night. We had along discourse with him at night in the rest house and he unfolded before us thewhole programme planned for the country. We were really educated, illuminatedand elevated. I was feeling that some mysterious power has crept in my blood. Ihad gained courage and strength. I had become confident and was feeling that Icould face all the odds and could change the world. His company and leadershiphad a strange miraculous effect.Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Recollections and Remembrances; Copyright © www.bhutto.org 84