Democracy Memoirs of Pakistan
1951: A young man from a prominent, knighted Sindhi feudal family marries an Iranian merchant's daughter. Young man fears backlash from his father and to ensure secrecy relies on two of his closest friends then (One for sure was Ilahi Bukhsh Sumro, other I think was cricket commentator and business executive Omar Kureshi). Begins the story of Bhuttos. Young man was Z. A. Bhutto, the woman became Nusrat Bhutto.
Mid-60s: Nusrat, compelled by traditions of the family, forces the daughter, Benazir, to wear veil on trip to family estate of Larkana. ZAB gets furious and categorically declares that his daughters will not wear veil. Coming from a family where his sisters were married to Quran, ZAB's most revolutionary act was to send his daughters to Harvard and Oxford.
Sept 1967: ZAB is arrested by Ayub regime and it seems that the movement gaining momentum will die leaderless. Appears a tonga on Mall Road carrying 3-4 women. One of them was Nusrat Bhutto. People recognize her and flock around her. The movement against Ayub is alive again and leads to his end and ultimately leads to 1970 elections.
July 5, 1977: Martial Law is imposed, Bhutto detained, family sent back to Karachi. Nusrat advises her three children studying abroad to attend their studies. Benazir and Nusrat are the only two left to deal with Zia's tyranny.
December 16, 1977: Bhutto women face the first, of many, assaults of tyrants. Attempt to mobilize people takes them to cricket match in Lahore. Crowd erupts with "Jiye Bhutto" slogans. Police starts baton-charge. A woman's voice roars: unhain kyun mar rahay hu mujhe maro (why are you hitting people, hit me). Police complies, hitting her head leading to blood spilling all over. An image that epitomizes Pakistan's struggle for democracy and fundamental rights.
April 4, 1979: ZAB is hanged in Rawalpindi Jail while Nusrat Bhutto and Benazir are in confinement a few miles away in Sihala. They are not allowed to attend the funeral rites.
February 1981: Nusrat Bhutto forgives political leaders who asked Zia to takeover and forms MRD with them. Whichever way you look at it, it was a game changer in Pakistani feudal-mindset politics. It is where reconciliation got introduced to Pakistani politics. And this, to me, is her biggest gift to Pakistani politics.
July 1985: Bhutto tragedy continues. Shahnawaz, the youngest son of Bhuttos, dies as a result of poison intake (many believe it was act of Zia regime). Only Benazir is allowed to accompany the body back to Pakistan.
December 2, 1988: Benazir Bhutto becomes Prime Minister of Pakistan after PPP wins November polls. Nusrat Bhutto become Senior Minister. She wins from a constituency in Chitral, a conservative bastion where women find it difficult even to vote.
Nov. 18, 1992: Nusrat Bhutto is baton charged again at Bhatti Chowk, Lahore. Wounded, she manages to break the cordon and leaves Lahore for Long March.
September 20, 1996: Bhutto tragedy continues. Murtaza Bhutto is killed by police. Iron lady can't take it any more. Health deteriorates and Alzheimer takes memory away. She is not in to take any more pain.
From Ayub to Zia and later, there is no single person who symbolizes Pakistan's struggle for democracy like Begum Bhutto (not even ZAB and BB). And for all her agony, she had the resolve to live till the fruits of her struggle are finally here. Iron lady's resolve did outlast of those she fought against. The state mourning by elected governments all across the country, was a divine justice for her struggle.
For all the miseries and hardships, the lives like Nusrat Bhutto are not to be mourned but to be cherished and celebrated for their struggle, resolve and commitment. RIP Begum Sahiba! It has been an honor and pleasure having you with us.
Mid-60s: Nusrat, compelled by traditions of the family, forces the daughter, Benazir, to wear veil on trip to family estate of Larkana. ZAB gets furious and categorically declares that his daughters will not wear veil. Coming from a family where his sisters were married to Quran, ZAB's most revolutionary act was to send his daughters to Harvard and Oxford.
Sept 1967: ZAB is arrested by Ayub regime and it seems that the movement gaining momentum will die leaderless. Appears a tonga on Mall Road carrying 3-4 women. One of them was Nusrat Bhutto. People recognize her and flock around her. The movement against Ayub is alive again and leads to his end and ultimately leads to 1970 elections.
July 5, 1977: Martial Law is imposed, Bhutto detained, family sent back to Karachi. Nusrat advises her three children studying abroad to attend their studies. Benazir and Nusrat are the only two left to deal with Zia's tyranny.
December 16, 1977: Bhutto women face the first, of many, assaults of tyrants. Attempt to mobilize people takes them to cricket match in Lahore. Crowd erupts with "Jiye Bhutto" slogans. Police starts baton-charge. A woman's voice roars: unhain kyun mar rahay hu mujhe maro (why are you hitting people, hit me). Police complies, hitting her head leading to blood spilling all over. An image that epitomizes Pakistan's struggle for democracy and fundamental rights.
April 4, 1979: ZAB is hanged in Rawalpindi Jail while Nusrat Bhutto and Benazir are in confinement a few miles away in Sihala. They are not allowed to attend the funeral rites.
February 1981: Nusrat Bhutto forgives political leaders who asked Zia to takeover and forms MRD with them. Whichever way you look at it, it was a game changer in Pakistani feudal-mindset politics. It is where reconciliation got introduced to Pakistani politics. And this, to me, is her biggest gift to Pakistani politics.
July 1985: Bhutto tragedy continues. Shahnawaz, the youngest son of Bhuttos, dies as a result of poison intake (many believe it was act of Zia regime). Only Benazir is allowed to accompany the body back to Pakistan.
December 2, 1988: Benazir Bhutto becomes Prime Minister of Pakistan after PPP wins November polls. Nusrat Bhutto become Senior Minister. She wins from a constituency in Chitral, a conservative bastion where women find it difficult even to vote.
Nov. 18, 1992: Nusrat Bhutto is baton charged again at Bhatti Chowk, Lahore. Wounded, she manages to break the cordon and leaves Lahore for Long March.
September 20, 1996: Bhutto tragedy continues. Murtaza Bhutto is killed by police. Iron lady can't take it any more. Health deteriorates and Alzheimer takes memory away. She is not in to take any more pain.
From Ayub to Zia and later, there is no single person who symbolizes Pakistan's struggle for democracy like Begum Bhutto (not even ZAB and BB). And for all her agony, she had the resolve to live till the fruits of her struggle are finally here. Iron lady's resolve did outlast of those she fought against. The state mourning by elected governments all across the country, was a divine justice for her struggle.
For all the miseries and hardships, the lives like Nusrat Bhutto are not to be mourned but to be cherished and celebrated for their struggle, resolve and commitment. RIP Begum Sahiba! It has been an honor and pleasure having you with us.
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