01-03-2021 The Asian Independent

www.theasianindependent.co.uk
ASIA
01-03-2021 to 15-03-2021
7
Gandhi or Rajiv Gandhi, they would
have both garnered the Simla spirit
into action.
As a close relation of the Bhutto
family, Ambassador Wajid Shamsul
Hassan, writes a much-awaited book
aptly titled "Life with the Bhuttos."
In 1997, Hasan underwent various
legal battles and period of third-degree
torture due to his long association with
the Bhutto family. Always an unapologetic
proponent of democracy and freedom
of media, Hasan was a close aide
of PM Benazir Bhutto during her term.
The book will cover the real-life
experiences of Hassan and attempt to
disprove and correct some of the
"truths" about the Bhutto family.
Ambassador Wajid Shamsul
Hassan is the former High
Commissioner of Pakistan to UK. He
was the longest-serving Pakistani
High Commissioner to UK. Along
with being a diplomat, he is also a
political activist and a veteran journalist.
Ambassador Wajid Shamsul
Hassan was long associated with the
Bhutto family. He has spent many
years with martyred PM Mohtarma
Benazir Bhutto, Asif Zardari and PM
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Hassan was tortured
and prosecuted for many years
by anti-Bhutto elements in Pakistan,
particularly Senator Saifur Rehman to
turn against the Bhutto family and testify
against Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
A man of many talents, he was also
a special advisor to Benazir Bhutto.
The book "Life with the Bhuttos" covers
his extensive history with the
Bhutto family. He is a beacon of
morality and a source of emulation
among the young journalists now facing
Gestapo-like victimisation by the
Both Bhutto Sahib and Benazir were
firm believers that Kashmir can't be
left in the hands of the GENERALS
New Delhi : Bhutto Sahib and
Benazir Bhutto were both firm believers
that intricate issues such as
Kashmir cannot be left in the hands of
generals, says Ambassador Shamsul
Hassan in his book, "Life with the
Bhuttos."
Hassan says Bhutto often quoted
famous French statesman Georges
Clemenceau that war is too important
to be left to the generals.
"Bhutto Sahib had a foresight at
some time Benazir Bhutto would be
the one who would have to preside
over the affairs of the Pakistani state",
he adds.
"However, I can share with you that
her late father martyred Zulfikar Ali
Bhutto, described as an icon of a
statesman by Dr. Henry Kissinger in
the century, selected Bibi to be his
political heir when he had seen blossom
in her a leader beyond ordinary
comprehensions. He did not take her
to Simla to see the picturesque Hill
Station that had served as Raj's summer
capital in India but he wanted her
to meet Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
with whom later she would have to
sort out relations with India including
settling the Kashmir issue," he adds.
Hassan adds that had Benazir
Bhutto been alive along with Indira
current Pakistani regime.
Excerpts from an interview:
Q Wajid Sahab you have written
a book which everyone would like to
read. Tell us about this book.
A Thank you for your questions
about my book covering a period of
over 50 years-- My life with the
Bhuttos. I have not minced any words
in expressing myself candidly as much
as possible, in answering you.
Q I'm going to ask a straight
question: anything you wanted to
write in this book but decided not to
write?
A Indeed, I have not avoided writing
anything since the book has come
at a time when I have entered my 80th
year and I am racing against time. If I
were to avoid anything it would be no
use to posterity. It will go down wastefully
in my chest. Rest assured that I
have neither avoided writing anything
nor have I kept any secrets. However,
one word I am fully aware of the
predicaments faced by former DG ISI
General Asad Durrani who has written
three professional books in collaboration
with former Indian RAW chief
Dulat. Durrani is being unnecessarily
put to hassle by his former colleagues
out of sheer jealousy. Ultimately, I am
sure his critics will have the flak on
their faces. My response to your
'straight question' about not writing
anything that I wanted to write is settled.
Everything is here for you and
your readers to discern.
Q I know this fact from almost
twenty years about your proximity
to Benazir and even Bilawal also
said this: She trusted you always.
Tell us about your relationship with
Benazir?
A What a question! Indeed, you
have asked me to put together millions
of words, articles and hours spent
together with our "Beloved Bibi" from
1972 until her assassination in 2007.
Indeed, a Himalayan task.
However, I can share with you that
her late father martyred Zulfikar Ali
Bhutto, described as an icon of a
statesman by Dr. Henry Kissinger in
the century, selected Bibi to be his
political heir when he had seen blossom
in her a leader beyond ordinary
comprehensions. He did not take her
to Simla to see the picturesque Hill
Station that had served as Raj's summer
capital in India but he wanted her
to meet Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
with whom later she would have to
sort out relations with India including
settling the Kashmir issue.
Bhutto Sahib and Benazir Bhutto
both were firm believers that intricate
issues such as Kashmir cannot be left
in the hands of the generals. He often
quoted famous French statesman
Georges Clemenceau that "war is too
important to be left to the generals".
Bhutto Sahib had a foresight at some
time Benazir Bhutto would be the one
who would have to preside over the
affairs of the Pakistani state.
Q Do you think Benazir would
have solved the Kashmir problem?
A. My answer to your question is
positive. Had she been alive along
with Mrs. Indira Gandhi or Rajiv
Gandhi they would have both garnered
the Simla spirit into action. I
remember Bhutto Sahib's historic
meeting with Mrs. Indira Gandhi in
his farewell call on her at Simla when
the talks between the two negotiating
teams had collapsed and we were told
to pack up to leave for home the next
morning.
Bhutto Sahib clicked with Mrs.
Gandhi in his farewell call, what
would remain forever a landmark
development between the two countries.
Later in Pakistan when I asked
him what transpired between him and
Indiraji in the farewell. "I sincerely
collected all my wits and beseeched
Mrs. Gandhi that, that perhaps it was
the last opportunity for the two nations
to bury the hatchet permanently and
bury the acrimonies of the past. I sincerely
meant what I had told her,
touched the bottom core of her heart
against the wishes of her advisers like
Haskars who had stuck to hawkish
postures throughout the negotiations.
We were confident that the new foundation
of Indo-Pakistan relations on a
sound footing of the sincerity of our
purpose would turn the historic tide
for the good of the people of the two
countries."
Q How do you see the future of
the Indo-Pakistan relationship?
Today there is complete silence from
both ends.
A I am a born optimist. Indeed, I
have also been very eto some extent --
close to the leadership of Pakistan.
However, there has always been a difference
of opinion in my thinking and
their thinking. I have been a devoted
follower of the Bhuttos, notwithstanding
the rhetoric of the 1000-year war e
I have heard it from both the Bhuttos
about their sincerity for peace in the
region, greater co-operation, economic
understanding, and assisting each
other in alleviation of the economic
and poverty-related sufferings of their
people.
Q You have been very close to the
top leadership of Pakistan. Tell us
frankly in a single word whether so
much army interference is helping
Pakistan or has damaged the very
basic fabric of democracy?
A. My being close to the top leadership
of Pakistan would not mean that
they would do whatever I would tell
them to. My answer to you in a single
word is ---that army's interference in
politics has been on account of the
demographic composition of the partition
and the failure of political leadership
after the demise of Jinnah Sahib
and the assassination of Prime
Minister Liaquat Ali Khan to reassert
itself as the sole arbiter of civilian
power. Praetorian Establishment plus
the civil, judicial bureaucracy as
established and later recognised as
power troika monopolising West
Pakistani Punjabi feudal class backed
by Jamaat-e-Islami and Ahraris---all
combined damaged the very basic fabric
of democracy in Pakistan.
Q How do you see the Bajwa-
Imran combo? Bajwa is talking positively
here and there. But nothing
deliverable. Do you think he can be
instrumental in regional peace?
A I can only give you an answer.
General Bajwa, I will give him the
benefit of doubt. I have not known
him much but whatever his famous
Bajwa Doctrine is e it did cause a lot
of ripples and inspired food for
thought among various circles including
the military.