Daily Times

Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was a man of multidimensional qualities — politician, philosopher, orator and diplomat par excellence, a true political son of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. About Jinnah he always used to say, “That is my man! That is my idol, the man I respect.” Bhutto launched the Pakistan People’s Party on November 30, 1967 in Lahore and won people over when he declared “Chahta hain har insan Roti, Kapra aur Makaan” (Every person wants food, clothing and shelter). The party was formed based on four cardinal principles, i.e Islam is our faith, democracy our politics, socialism our economy, and all power to the people. The party launched its offices all over Pakistan in huts, small shops and modest houses of PPP workers — where unending crowds gathered to secure their membership and much sooner than was expected, the PPP became a mass movement.
Forty-two years ago Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto gave a voice to the voiceless and power to the powerless of the country and helped them shape their own destiny and the destiny of their country. He led a mammoth struggle for the people of the country against the successive tyranny and injustice of military dictatorships. Bhutto was a symbol of reform and reconstruction; he laid the foundation of Pakistan’s first Steel Mill, Port Qasim, Karakoram Highway, Heavy Mechanical Complex at Taxila, the Naval Shipyard, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Quaid-e-Azam University and Allama Iqbal University.
Bhutto raised the morale of the nation after the fall of Dhaka and honourably brought back 90,000 prisoners of war. He signed the Simla Accord, which prevented a full-scale war between India and Pakistan, and held the second Islamic summit in Lahore. He was the ‘father’ of Pakistan’s nuclear program and gave the Islamic world its first nuclear nation. He gave Pakistan a unanimous Constitution of 1973 that was Islamic, federal, egalitarian, supported provincial autonomy and promoted the equality of every citizen irrespective of race, religion and gender.
In 1972 Mr Bhutto announced land reforms limiting the maximum limit of landholding to 150 irrigated and 300 unirrigated acres, and distributing the excess land amongst landless farmers. The labour policy announced by Bhutto provided social security to the workers and their families. Bhutto is an inspiration for future generations and continues to live in the hearts of the people. He set the greatest example of sacrifice by going to the gallows instead of bowing his head before a dictator.
Shaheed Bhutto’s illustrious daughter Shaheed Benazir Bhutto showed exemplary courage and commitment to the political legacy of her father. After her father’s death, she rebuilt the party from scratch. The endless suffering, incarceration and torture she went through did not break her. PPP workers and leaders were subjected to the worst kind of persecution and harassment but they remained committed to their resolve. Under Ms Bhutto’s dynamic guidance the party gained strength.
Benazir Bhutto Shaheed became the first woman to lead a modern Islamic nation. She carried the political flame of her father and led the PPP to victory in the 1988 and 1993 elections.
Benazir Bhutto released General Zia’s political prisoners, mostly PPP workers, and guaranteed basic civil and political freedoms. During both her stints in government, healthcare, education, energy and foreign policy were prioritised. Budgetary allocations in these sectors were increased so that the fruits of democracy and freedom could reach common citizens. During her two terms in office, Benazir Bhutto faced enormous challenges and persecution. She fought throughout her life for the uplift of the downtrodden and for revival of democracy, and like her iconic father embraced martyrdom in her struggle to defeat a dictator.
Continuing the great mission of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto is now the obligation of her husband Asif Ali Zardari, who spent 11 years in prison under inhuman conditions with fortitude but remained loyal to the PPP in its goal to fight for justice and the return of a democratically elected civilian leadership. Although elected unopposed as Chairperson of the PPP by the CEC he nominated his son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for it and decided to work as Co-Chairperson. Mr Zardari made history by ousting a dictator and through his commitment to the principles of Shaheed Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir he embarked upon the difficult path to restore democracy with the slogan of ‘Pakistan Khappay’. Elected with an overwhelming majority as President of Pakistan he united major political parties and formed coalition governments in all provinces. He formed the ‘Friends of Democratic Pakistan’ — a forum to support a terror-hit Pakistan morally and financially. President Zardari managed to shape a national consensus on all major issues from Operation Rah-e-Rast to Operation Rah-e-Nijat, empowerment of women and support of minorities, from restoration of the judiciary to the Aghaz Haqooq-e-Balochistan. He moved swiftly to defuse tensions amongst the federating units and remove the sense of deprivation felt by smaller provinces by reconstituting the NFC Award. President Zardari continues to be targeted by anti-democratic forces as he vigorously pursues politics of reconciliation initiated by his slain wife.
Pakistan People’s Party, despite the many conspiracies and persecution it has faced, has grown manifold. It is nurtured by the blood of the Bhuttos and that of thousands of selfless political workers. It remains the strongest and largest political party of Pakistan. Dictatorial rule for most part of the nation’s life has given birth to sectarianism, religious extremism and intolerance. Despite impediments and difficult challenges, Pakistan continues its roller coaster ride on the road to democracy. The PPP, under the guidance of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, is committed to bringing change for the betterment of the country’s downtrodden people and combating terrorism and extremism with the help of the political ideology of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto by taking concrete steps to ensure the restoration of peace and progress in Pakistan.

Sharmila Faruqui is Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh and Secretary Records and Events PPP Sindh