Daily Times

Pakistan was built on an idea that in order to protect the rights of the Muslims of the Subcontinent they needed a separate independent state. And just as Pakistan came into being after sacrifices, decades of struggles and challenges so is the case with the Pakistan Peoples Party. After sacrificing two Chairpersons and their immediate family, numerous workers and members, the PPP is the largest political party of the country till date. It is Pakistan’s only political party that has achieved the unique distinction of celebrating its Golden Jubilee with its original ideology and philosophy still intact.

My family’s association with PPP began from its inception. Even though my great grandfather Sardar Allah Bux Gabol and Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto were from opposing political parties since the 1920s, it all changed in 1967. Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had launched the PPP as a revolutionary idea to put an end to dictatorship and restore power to the people. Immediately, my familial constituency Lyari had become a stronghold of Bhutto’s ideology. Shaheed Bhutto nominated my grandfather’s brother Abdul Sattar Gabol, Bar at Law, as his candidate from Lyari. Thus, commenced my family’s 50-year strong bond with the PPP that continues today with the third generation. Most of what I know of Shaheed Bhutto is from listening to uncle Sattar Gabol and going through his pictures with Bhutto sahab between 1967-77. Uncle Sattar would fondly reminisce his time spent with his charismatic leader. One such story was of when Bhutto sahib left his Mercedes at Sattar Gabol’s house and chose to roam around the streets of Lyari by foot so as to be closer to the people.

While other political parties such as PML-N and PTI were cradled by the establishment only the PPP remains stain free in this regard. PPP is the only party that finds its strength from the people, by the people based on an ideology and philosophy that resonates with the people of Pakistan

Since Sattar Gabol was the Federal Minister for Labour during Bhutto’s era he was privy to the fact that labour reforms and labour rights in Pakistan were the brainchild of Bhutto. Bhutto was a socialist democrat in letter and in spirit. He was staunchly opposed to the tremendous gap in social classes and aggressively pursued an egalitarian society. His expertise on national issues was only bested by his understanding of global politics. It was under his leadership that Pakistan formed not only its first constitution but also an independent foreign policy that highlighted Pakistan’s sovereignty. The National Atomic program, Pakistan Steel Mills and Port Qasim were also some of his major contributions. The way he spoke not only captured the hearts of Pakistanis but also won many international followers. I became Bhutto sahab’s admirer and follower just by watching his speeches on my father’s old VCR. It was Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s charisma and ingenuity that has kept alive the slogans ‘Zindahai Bhutto,’ and ‘Tum kitnay Bhutto maro gay harghar se Bhutto niklayga.’ Hence, even though dictator Zialul Haq removed Bhutto from his people physically, he still lives in the hearts of every Jiyala.

After Shaheed Bhutto his brave daughter Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto kept his struggle alive. Her courage, charisma, dignity and grace kept Bhutto and the PPP entrenched in the hearts of the people. It was no mere feat to successfully challenge and defeat a tyrant such as Zia. She has the unique honour of overcoming two separate decades of dictatorships under Zia and Musharraf.

Taking on the responsibility from her father, and supported by her mother, Shaheed BB inspired a new generation of Jiyalas including my father Sardar Nabil Gabol who remained steadfast with her throughout her life. Shaheed Benazir famously said “You can kill a man but you cannot kill an idea.” She proved this by carrying forward her father’s ideology and principles of empowering the people, pursuing an egalitarian society while protecting the rights of labourers, women and minorities. Unlike other politicians of her time who relied on ethnic and regional divides she followed a unifying national policy. Hence the slogan of ‘Chaaron soobon ki zanjeer Benazir!’ was born. Unfortunately, Shaheed Benazir too fell victim to the schemes of the establishment who never accepted her or let her settle in. Her government was dissolved twice and she was tragically assassinated in Rawalpindi, the same city her father was judicially murdered.

No other political party in Pakistan has offered greater sacrifices in the struggle for democracy. Not only did Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir fall l victim at the hands of dictators but Shanawaz Bhutto and Murtaza Bhutto also joined the rivers of blood. Hundreds if not thousands of PPP workers were lost in the struggle against dictators such as Zia and Musharraf. Thus, if democracy exists in Pakistan today it is because of these selfless sacrifices. While other political parties such as PML-N and PTI were cradled by the establishment only the PPP remains stain free in this regard. PPP is the only party that finds its strength from the people, by the people based on an ideology and philosophy that resonates with the people of Pakistan.

In spite of the tragedies and setbacks the PPP is kept alive by Bhutto’s heir Bilawal along with co Chairman Asif Ali Zardari who rose to the challenge with the slogan ‘Democracy is the best revenge.’ and ‘Pakistan Khappay.’ This restored faith in democracy and cooperation amongst state institutions re-establishing PPP as a symbol of the Federation of Pakistan. Bilawal Bhutto is in congruence with the policies of his mother and grandfather and the torchbearer of minorities and women’s rights in Pakistan along with the ongoing struggle to empower the democratic forces. He has mobilised the youth and a third consecutive generation of jiyalas including myself. Bilawal Bhutto’s target is now to further implement and enact his grandfather’s and mother’s philosophy taking Pakistan beyond ethnic, sectarian and regional divides. I have no doubt that he is capable of meeting the challenges of the next 50 years until the PPP celebrates its Centenary.

The writer is former Pakistan Diplomat and currently chairman of an NGO. He tweets @nadirgabol

Published in Daily Times, December 3^rd 2017.