Zulfikar Ali Bhutto

Infobox President
name = Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
ذوالفقار علی بھٹو
ذوالفقار علي ڀُٽو

|thumb|200px
office = President of Pakistan
term_start = 20 December 1971
term_end = 13 August 1973
primeminister = Nurul Amin
predecessor = Yahya Khan
successor = Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry
office2 = Prime Minister of Pakistan
president2 = Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry
term_start2 = 14 August 1973
term_end2 = 5 July 1977
predecessor2 = Nurul Amin
successor2 = Muhammad Khan Junejo
office3 = Foreign Minister of Pakistan
term_start3 = 15 June 1963
term_end3 = 12 September 1966
predecessor3 = Muhammad Ali Bogra
successor3 = Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada
term_start4 = 20 December 1971
term_end4 = 28 March 1977
predecessor4 = Yahya Khan
successor4 = Aziz Ahmed
religion = Twelver Shi'a Islam Vali Nasr "How Conflicts Within Islam Will Shape the Future" (W. W. Norton, 2006), pp. 88-90 ISBN 0-3933-2968-2]
party = Pakistan Peoples Party
birth_date = birth date|1928|1|5|df=y
birth_place = Larkana, British India
death_date = death date|1979|4|4|df=y (aged 51)
death_place = Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Urdu: _ur. ذوالفقار علی بھٹو, Sindhi: ذوالفقار علي ڀُٽو, IPA2|zʊlfɪqɑːɾ ɑli b^ɦʊʈːoː) (January 5, 1928–April 4, 1979) was a Pakistani politician who served as the President of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973 and as Prime Minister from 1973 to 1977. He was the founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the largest and most influential political party in Pakistan. His daughter Benazir Bhutto also served twice as prime minister; she was assassinated on December 27, 2007.

Educated at the University of California at Berkeley in the United States and University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, Bhutto was noted for his mercurial brilliance and wit. He was executed in 1979 for authorizing the murder of a political opponent. [cite web
url= http://countrystudies.us/pakistan/21.htm
title= Pakistan - ZIA UL-HAQ
accessdate= 2007-12-28
author= Blood, Peter Blood (editor)
year= 1994
work= Pakistan: A Country Study
publisher= Washington: GPO for the Library of Congress
quote= ... hanging ... Bhutto for complicity in the murder of a political opponent...] [cite web
url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/april/4/newsid_2459000/2459507.stm
title= Deposed Pakistani PM is executed
accessdate= 2007-12-28
date= 1979-04-04
work= BBC On This Day
publisher= British Broadcasting Corporation
quote= sentenced to death for the murder of a political opponent] The move was done under the directives of General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq. [cite web | url= http://concise.britannica.com/ebc/article-9357207/Zulfikar-Ali-Bhutto |accessdate = 2007-12-28 |year= 2007
work= Britannica Concise |title = Zulfikar Ali Bhutto|publisher= Encyclopædia Britannica
quote= Gen. Zia-ul-Haq seized power and had Bhutto imprisoned and later executed.] [cite news|url= http://www.victoriaschofield.com/Excerpt21.htm|title= Bhutto: the final act|location=Karachi
accessdate= 2007-12-29|last= Schofield|first= Victoria|authorlink= Victoria Schofield|date= 2000-02-19
work= Dawn|quote= flimsy murder charge] His supporters add the honorific title Shaheed, the Urdu word for "martyr", before his name, thus: Shaheed-e-Azam Zulfikar Ali Bhutto ("The Great Martyr"). Another respectful title commonly bestowed upon him by supporters is Quaid-e-Awam, or "Leader of the Masses" as he was indeed a populist statesman.

Early life

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was born to Khursheed Begum née Lakhi Bai and Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto of a prominent Shia Muslim family. Zulfikar was born in his parent's residence near Larkana in what later became the province of Sindh. He was their third child — their first one, Sikandar, died from pneumonia at age seven in 1914 and the second child, Imdad Ali, died of cirrhosis at the age of 39 in 1953.cite news
author = Encyclopedia Britannica 2006
url = http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9079077/Zulfikar-Ali-Bhutto
title = Bhutto, Zulfikar Ali
format = PHP
accessdate = 2006-11-07] His father was a wealthy landlord, a "zamindar", and a prominent politician in Sindh, who enjoyed an influential relationship with the officials of the British Raj. As a young boy, Bhutto moved to Worli Seaface in Mumbai (then Bombay) to study at the Cathedral and John Connon School. During this period, he also became a student activist in the League's Pakistan Movement. Upon completing high school, Bhutto attended Premier College Nazamabad. In 1943, his marriage was arranged with Shireen Amir Begum (died January 19, 2003 in Karachi). He later left her, however, in order to remarry. In 1947, Bhutto was admitted to the University of Southern California.

During this time, Bhutto's father, Sir Shahnawaz, played a controversial role in the affairs of the state of Junagadh (now in Gujarat). Coming to power in a palace coup as the "dewan", he secured the accession of the state to Pakistan, which was ultimately negated by Indian intervention in December, 1947.cite book
last = Gandhi
first = Rajmohan
authorlink = Rajmohan Gandhi
year = 1991
title = Patel: A Life
publisher = Navajivan
location = India
id = ASIN B0006EYQ0A
pages = 291-93] In 1949, Bhutto transferred to the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned an honours degree in political science. Here he would become interested in the theories of socialism, delivering a series of lectures on the feasibility of socialism in Islamic countries. In June, 1950 Bhutto travelled to England to study law at Christ Church, Oxford. Upon finishing his studies, he was called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1953.

Bhutto married his second wife, the Iranian-Kurdish Begum Nusrat Ispahani a Shi'a MuslimFact|date=September 2008 , in Karachi on September 8, 1951. Their first child, his daughter Benazir, was born in 1953. She was followed by Murtaza in 1954, a second daughter, Sanam, in 1957, and the youngest child, Shahnawaz Bhutto, in 1958. He accepted the post of lecturer at the Sindh Muslim College, from where he was also awarded an honorary law degree by the then college President, Mr. Hassanally A. Rahman before establishing himself in a legal practice in Karachi. He also took over the management of his family's estate and business interests after his father's death.

Political career

In 1957, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto became the youngest member of Pakistan's delegation to the United Nations. He would address the United Nations Sixth Committee on Aggression on October 25, 1957 and lead Pakistan's deputation to the United Nations Conference on the Law of the Seas in 1958. In the same year, Bhutto became the youngest Pakistani cabinet minister when he was given charge of the energy ministry by President Muhammad Ayub Khan, who had seized power and declared martial law. He was subsequently promoted to head the ministries of commerce, information and industries. Bhutto became a close and trusted advisor to Ayub, rising in influence and power despite his youth and relative inexperience in politics. Bhutto aided Ayub in negotiating the Indus Water Treaty with India in 1960. In 1961, Bhutto negotiated an oil exploration agreement with the Soviet Union, which also agreed to provide economic and technical aid to Pakistan.

Foreign Minister

In 1962, he was appointed Pakistan's foreign minister. His swift rise to power also brought him national prominence and popularity.

As foreign minister, Bhutto significantly transformed Pakistan's hitherto pro-Western foreign policy. While maintaining a prominent role for Pakistan within the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization and the Central Treaty Organization, Bhutto began asserting a foreign policy course for Pakistan that was independent of U.S. influence. Bhutto criticised the U.S. for providing military aid to India during and after the Sino-Indian War of 1962, which was seen as an abrogation of Pakistan's alliance with the U.S. Bhutto worked to establish stronger relations with the People's Republic of China.cite news
author = US Country Studies
url = http://countrystudies.us/pakistan/18.htm
title = Ayub Khan
format = PHP
accessdate = 2006-11-07] Bhutto visited Beijing and helped Ayub negotiate trade and military agreements with the Chinese regime, which agreed to help Pakistan in a large number of military and industrial projects. Bhutto also signed the Sino-Pakistan Boundary Agreement on March 2, 1963 that transferred 750 square kilometres of territory from Pakistan-administered Kashmir to Chinese control. Bhutto asserted his belief in non-alignment, making Pakistan an influential member in non-aligned organisations. Believing in pan-Islamic unity, Bhutto developed closer relations with nations such as Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and other Arab states.

Bhutto advocated hardline and confrontational policies against India over the Kashmir conflict and other issues. A brief skirmish took place in August 1965 between Indian and Pakistani forces near the international boundary in the Rann of Kutch which was resolved by the U.N. Pakistan hoped to support an uprising by Kashmiris against India.

Bhutto joined Ayub in Tashkent to negotiate a peace treaty with the Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. Ayub and Shastri agreed to exchange prisoners of war and withdraw respective forces to pre-war boundaries. This agreement was deeply unpopular in Pakistan, causing major political unrest against Ayub's regime. Bhutto's criticism of the final agreement caused a major rift between him and Ayub Khan. Initially denying the rumours, Bhutto resigned in June, 1967 and expressed strong opposition to Ayub's regime.cite news
author = US Country Studies
url = http://countrystudies.us/pakistan/18.htm
title = Ayub Khan
format = PHP
accessdate = 2006-11-07]

Pakistans Peoples Party

Following his resignation, large crowds gathered to listen to Bhutto's speech upon his arrival in Lahore on June 21 1967. Tapping a wave of anger and opposition against Ayub, Bhutto began travelling across the country to deliver political speeches. In a speech in October, 1966 Bhutto proclaimed "Islam is our faith, democracy is our policy, socialism is our economy. All power to the people."cite news
author = US Country Studies
url = http://countrystudies.us/pakistan/19.htm
title = Yahya Khan and Bangladesh
format = PHP
accessdate = 2006-11-07] On November 30, 1967 Bhutto founded the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Lahore, establishing a strong base of political support in Punjab, Sindh and amongst the Muhajir communities. Bhutto's party became a part of the pro-democracy movement involving diverse political parties from all across Pakistan. PPP activists staged large protests and strikes in different parts of the country, increasing pressure on Ayub to resign. Bhutto's arrest on November 12, 1968 sparked greater political unrest. After his release, Bhutto attended the Round Table Conference called by Ayub in Rawalpindi, but refused to accept Ayub's continuation in office and the East Pakistani politician Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Six point movement for regional autonomy.

Following Ayub's resignation, the new president Gen. Yahya Khan promised to hold parliamentary elections on December 7, 1970. Bhutto's party won a large number of seats from constituencies in West Pakistan.cite news
author = US Country Studies
url = http://countrystudies.us/pakistan/19.htm
title = Yahya Khan and Bangladesh
format = PHP
accessdate = 2006-11-07] However, Sheikh Mujib's Awami League won an outright majority from the constituencies located in East Pakistan. Bhutto refused to accept an Awami League government and famously promised to "break the legs" of any elected PPP member who dared to attend the inaugural session of the National Assembly of Pakistan. Capitalising on West Pakistani fears of East Pakistani separatism, Bhutto demanded that Sheikh Mujib form a coalition with the PPP.cite news
author = US Country Studies
url = http://countrystudies.us/pakistan/19.htm
title = Yahya Khan and Bangladesh
format = PHP
accessdate = 2006-11-07] Under substantial pressure from Bhutto and other West Pakistani political parties, Yahya postponed the inaugural session of the National Assembly after talks with Sheikh Mujib failed.cite news
author = US Country Studies
url = http://countrystudies.us/pakistan/19.htm
title = Yahya Khan and Bangladesh
format = PHP
accessdate = 2006-11-07] Amidst popular outrage in East Pakistan, Major Ziaur Rahman, at the direction of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared the independence of "Bangladesh" on March 26, 1971 after Mujibur was arrested by the Pakistani Army, which had been ordered by Yahya to suppress political activities. . Blood, Archer, [http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB79/BEBB1.pdf Transcript of Selective Genocide Telex] , Department of State, United States] While supportive of the army's genocide and working to rally international support, Bhutto distanced himself from the Yahya regime. He refused to accept Yahya's scheme to appoint Bengali politician Nurul Amin as prime minister, with Bhutto as deputy prime minister. Indian intervention in East Pakistan led to the defeat of Pakistani forces, who surrendered on December 16 1971. Bhutto and others condemned Yahya for failing to protect Pakistan's unity. Isolated, Yahya resigned on December 20 and transferred power to Bhutto, who became the president, army commander-in-chief as well as the first civilian chief martial law administrator.cite news
author = US Country Studies
url = http://countrystudies.us/pakistan/19.htm
title = Yahya Khan and Bangladesh
format = PHP
accessdate = 2006-11-07]

Leader of Pakistan

As president, Bhutto addressed the nation via radio and television, saying "My dear countrymen, my dear friends, my dear students, labourers, peasants… those who fought for Pakistan… We are facing the worst crisis in our country's life, a deadly crisis. We have to pick up the pieces, very small pieces, but we will make a new Pakistan, a prosperous and progressive Pakistan." He placed Yahya under house arrest, brokered a ceasefire and ordered the release of Sheikh Mujib, who was held prisoner by the army. To implement this, Bhutto reversed the verdict of Mujib's court trial that had taken place earlier, in which the presiding Brigadier Rahimuddin Khan (later General) had sentenced Mujib to death. Appointing a new cabinet, Bhutto appointed Gen. Gul Hasan as Chief of Army Staff. On January 2, 1972 Bhutto announced the nationalisation of all major industries, including iron and steel, heavy engineering, heavy electricals, petrochemicals, cement and public utilities.cite news
author = US Country Studies
url = http://countrystudies.us/pakistan/20.htm
title = Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
format = PHP
accessdate = 2006-11-07] A new labour policy was announced increasing workers rights and the power of trade unions. Although he came from a feudal background himself, Bhutto announced reforms limiting land ownership and a government take-over of over a million acres (4,000 km²) to distribute to landless peasants. More than 2,000 civil servants were dismissed on charges of corruption.cite news
author = US Country Studies
url = http://countrystudies.us/pakistan/20.htm
title = Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
format = PHP
accessdate = 2006-11-07] Bhutto also dismissed the military chiefs on March 3 after they refused orders to suppress a major police strike in Punjab. He appointed Gen. Tikka Khan as the new Chief of the Army Staff in March 1972 as he felt the General would not interfere in political matters and would concentrate on rehabilitating the Pakistan Army. Bhutto convened the National Assembly on April 14, rescinded martial law on April 21 and charged the legislators with writing a new constitution.

Bhutto visited India to meet Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and negotiated a formal peace agreement and the release of 93,000 Pakistani prisoners of war. The two leaders signed the Shimla Agreement, which committed both nations to establish a Line of Control in Kashmir and obligated them to resolve disputes peacefully through bilateral talks. [cite book
last = Frank
first = Katherine
authorlink = Katherine Frank
year = 2002
title = Indira: The Life of Indira Nehru Gandhi
publisher = Houghton Mifflin
location = USA
ISBN = 0-395-73097-X
pages = 346] cite news
author = US Country Studies
url = http://countrystudies.us/pakistan/20.htm
title = Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
format = PHP
accessdate = 2006-11-07] Bhutto also promised to hold a future summit for the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute and pledged to recognise Bangladesh. [cite book
last = Frank
first = Katherine
authorlink = Katherine Frank
year = 2002
title = Indira: The Life of Indira Nehru Gandhi
publisher = Houghton Mifflin
location = USA
ISBN = 0-395-73097-X
pages = 346] Although he secured the release of Pakistani soldiers held by India, Bhutto was criticised by many in Pakistan for allegedly making too many concessions to India. It is theorised that Bhutto feared his downfall if he could not secure the release of Pakistani soldiers, the return of territory occupied by Indian forces. [cite book
last = Frank
first = Katherine
authorlink = Katherine Frank
year = 2002
title = Indira: The Life of Indira Nehru Gandhi
publisher = Houghton Mifflin
location = USA
ISBN = 0-395-73097-X
pages = 347] Bhutto established an atomic power development programme and inaugurated the first Pakistani atomic reactor, built in collaboration with Canada in Karachi on November 28. In January 1973, Bhutto ordered the army to suppress a rising insurgency in the province of Balochistan and dismissed the governments in Balochistan and the Northwest Frontier Province.cite news
author = US Country Studies
url = http://countrystudies.us/pakistan/20.htm
title = Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
format = PHP
accessdate = 2006-11-07] On March 30, 59 military officers were arrested by army troops for allegedly plotting a coup against Bhutto, who appointed then-Brigadier Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq to head a military tribunal to investigate and try the suspects. The National Assembly approved the new constitution, which Bhutto signed into effect on April 12. The constitution proclaimed an "Islamic Republic" in Pakistan with a parliamentary form of government.cite news
author = Story of Pakistan
url = http://www.storyofpakistan.com/articletext.asp?artid=A072
title = Ouster of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
format = PHP
accessdate = 2006-11-07] On August 10, Bhutto turned over the post of president to Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry, assuming the office of prime minister instead.cite news
author = US Country Studies
url = http://countrystudies.us/pakistan/20.htm
title = Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
format = PHP
accessdate = 2006-11-07]

Bhutto officially recognised Bangladesh in July. Making an official visit to Bangladesh, Bhutto was criticised in Pakistan for laying flowers at a memorial for Bangladeshi "freedom fighters." Bhutto continued to develop closer relations with China as well as Saudi Arabia and other Muslim nations. Bhutto hosted the Second Islamic Summit of Muslim nations in Lahore between February 22 and February 24 in 1974.

However, Bhutto faced considerable pressure from Islamic religious leaders to declare the Ahmadiya communities as non-Muslims. Failing to restrain sectarian violence and rioting, Bhutto and the National Assembly amended the constitution to that effect. Bhutto intensified his nationalisation programme, extending government control over agricultural processing and consumer industries. Bhutto also, with advice from Admiral S.M. Ahsan, inaugurated Port Qasim, designed to expand harbour facilities near Karachi. However, the performance of the Pakistani economy declined amidst increasing bureaucracy and a decline in private sector confidence. In a surprise move in 1976, Bhutto appointed Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq to replace Gen. Tikka Khan, surpassing five generals senior to Zia. [In the summer of 1976, General Zia, who had superseded seven senior lieutenant-generals, told Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto: "Sir I am so grateful to you for appointing me Chief of Army Staff. Not only myself, but may future generations will be eternally grateful to you for singling me out for such a great honor, and this is a favour which I can never forget." The Herald, July 1992 ] . Some say that Zia did not deserve this pinnacle but Bhutto appointed him so as the two of them were Arain. He erred in judging a man not on his merit by dint of effort but merit by birth. As we see later he suffered for the undue support he showed to his Biratheri (Clan).

Nuclear programme

Bhutto was the founder of Pakistan's nuclear programme. Its militarisation was initiated in January 1972 and, in its initial years, was implemented by General Tikka Khan. The Karachi Nuclear Power Plant was inaugurated by Bhutto during his role as President of Pakistan at the end of 1972. Long before, as Minister for Fuel, Power and National Resources, he has played a key role in setting up of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission. The Kahuta facility was also established by the Bhutto Administration.

In his book "If I am Assassinated", written from his prison cell, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto revealed how Henry Kissinger had said to him in 1976: "we can destabilize your government and make a horrible example out of you". [Tariq Ali, "The Clash of Fundamentalism: Crusades, Jihads and Modernities", Verso, London & New York, 2002: p 167] Kissinger had warned Zulfikar Ali Bhutto that if Pakistan continued with its nuclear programe the Prime Minister would have to pay a heavy price.

Popular unrest and military coup

Bhutto began facing considerable criticism and increasing unpopularity as his term progressed.cite news
author = Story of Pakistan
url = http://www.storyofpakistan.com/articletext.asp?artid=A143
title = Ouster of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
format = PHP
accessdate = 2006-11-07] Initially targeting leader of the opposition Abdul Wali Khan and his opposition National Awami Party (NAP). Despite the ideological similarity of the two parties the clash of egos both inside and outside the National Assembly became increasingly fierce and started with the Federal governments decision to oust the NAP provincial government in Balochistan for alleged secessionist activities [ [http://www.bitsonline.net/eqbal/articles_by_eqbal_view.asp?id=12&cid=3 Militarism and the State Pakistan: Military Intervention by Eqbal Ahmed (Le Monde Diplomatique, October 1977)] ] and culminating in the banning of the party and arrest of much of its leadership after the death of Hayat Khan Sherpao, a close lieutenant of Bhutto, in a bomb blast in the frontier town of Peshawar.

Dissidence also increased within the PPP and the murder of dissident leader Ahmed Raza Kasuri's father led to public outrage and intra-party hostility as Bhutto was accused of masterminding the crime. Powerful PPP leaders such as Ghulam Mustafa Khar openly condemned Bhutto and called for protests against his regime. The political crisis in the NWFP and Balochistan intensified as civil liberties remained suspended and an estimated 100,000 troops deployed there were accused of human rights abuses and killing large numbers of civilians.cite news
author = US Country Studies
url = http://countrystudies.us/pakistan/20.htm
title = Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
format = PHP
accessdate = 2006-11-07]

On January 8, 1977 many opposition political parties grouped to form the Pakistan National Alliance (PNA).cite news
author = US Country Studies
url = http://countrystudies.us/pakistan/20.htm
title = Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
format = PHP
accessdate = 2006-11-07] Bhutto called fresh elections and the PNA participated in those elections with full force and managed to contest the elections jointly even though they had grave differences in their opinions and views. The PNA faced defeat but did not accept the results, accusing their opponents of rigging the election. They first claimed rigging on 14 seats and finally on 40 seats in the national assembly and boycotted provisional elections turn out in national elections was of highest degree. Provincial elections were held amidst low voter turnout and an opposition boycott, violent PNA declare the newly-elected Bhutto government as illegitimate. Muslim leaders such as Maulana Maududi called for the overthrow of Bhutto's regime.cite news
author = Story of Pakistan
url = http://www.storyofpakistan.com/articletext.asp?artid=A143
title = Ouster of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
format = PHP
accessdate = 2006-11-07] Intensifying political and civil disorder prompted Bhutto to hold talks with PNA leaders, which culminated in an agreement for the dissolution of the assemblies and fresh elections under a form of government of national unity. [Mazari, Sherbaz(2000) A Journey into disillusionment] However on July 5, 1977 Bhutto and members of his cabinet were arrested by troops under the order of General Zia.cite news
author = US Country Studies
url = http://countrystudies.us/pakistan/20.htm
title = Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
format = PHP
accessdate = 2006-11-07]

General Zia announced that martial law had been imposed, the constitution suspended and all assemblies dissolved. Zia also ordered the arrest of senior PPP and PNA leaders but promised elections in October. Bhutto was released on July 29 and was received by a large crowd of supporters in his hometown of Larkana. He immediately began touring across Pakistan, delivering speeches to large crowds and planning his political comeback. Bhutto was arrested again on September 3 before being released on bail on September 13. Fearing yet another arrest, Bhutto named his wife, Nusrat, president of the Pakistan People's Party. Bhutto was imprisoned on September 17 and a large number of PPP leaders and activists arrested and disqualified from contesting in elections.

Trial of the Prime Minister

Bhutto's trial began on October 24 on charges of "conspiracy to murder" Ahmed Raza Kasuri. [cite book
last = Frank
first = Katherine
authorlink = Katherine Frank
year = 2002
title = Indira: The Life of Indira Nehru Gandhi
publisher = Houghton Mifflin
location = USA
ISBN = 0-395-73097-X
pages = 438] On July 5, 1977 the military, led by General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, staged a coup. Zia relieved prime minister Bhutto of power, holding him in detention for a month. Zia pledged that new elections would be held in 90 days. He kept postponing the elections and publicly retorted during successive press conferences that if the elections were held in the presence of Bhutto his party would not return to power again. [ [http://www.bookrags.com/Zulfikar_Ali_Bhutto Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Biography and Analysis ] ]

Upon his release, Bhutto traveled the country amid adulatory crowds of PPP supporters. He used to take the train traveling from the south to the north and on the way, would address public meetings at different stations. Several of these trains were late, some by days, in reaching their respective destinations and as a result Bhutto was banned from traveling by train. The last visit he made to the city of Multan in the province of Punjab marked the turning point in Bhutto's political career and ultimately, his life. In spite of the administration's efforts to block the gathering, the crowd was so large that it became disorderly, providing an opportunity for the administration to declare that Bhutto had been taken into custody because the people were against him and it had become necessary to protect him from the masses for his own safety.

Re-arrest and fabrication of evidence

On September 3 the Army arrested Bhutto again on charges of authorizing the murder of a political opponent in March 1974. A 35-year-old politician Ahmed Raza Kasuri tried to run as a PPP candidate in elections, despite having previously left the party. The Pakistan Peoples Party rebuffed him. Three years earlier, Kasuri and his family had been ambushed, leaving Kasuri's father, Nawab Mohammad Ahmad Khan, dead. Kasuri claimed that he was the actual target, accusing Bhutto of being the mastermind. Kasuri later claimed that he had been the victim of 15 assassination attempts.

Bhutto was released 10 days after his arrest after a judge, Justice KMA Samadani, found the evidence "contradictory and incomplete." Justice Samadani had to pay for this; he was immediately removed from the court and placed at the disposal of the law ministry. Three days later Zia arrested Bhutto again on the same charges, this time under "martial law." When the PPP organized demonstrations among Bhutto's supporters, Zia canceled the upcoming elections.

Bhutto was arraigned before the High Court of Lahore instead of in a lower court, thus automatically depriving him of one level of appeal. The judge who had granted him bail was removed. Five new judges were appointed, headed by Chief Justice of Lahore High Court Maulvi Mushtaq Ali, who denied bail. The trial lasted five months, and Bhutto appeared in court on a dock specially built for the trial.

Proceedings began on October 24, 1977. Masood Mahmood, the director general of the Federal Security Force (since renamed the Federal Investigation Agency), testified against Bhutto. Mahmood had been arrested immediately after Zia's coup and had been imprisoned for two months prior to taking the stand. In his testimony, he claimed Bhutto had ordered Kasuri's assassination and that four members of the Federal Security Force had organized the ambush on Bhutto's orders.

The four alleged assassins were arrested and later confessed. They were brought into court as "co-accused" but one of them recanted his testimony, declaring that it had been extracted from him under torture. The following day, the witness was not present in court; the prosecution claimed that he had suddenly "fallen ill."

Bhutto's defense challenged the prosecution with proof from an army logbook the prosecution had submitted. It showed that the jeep allegedly driven during the attack on Kasuri was not even in Lahore at the time. The prosecution had the logbook disregarded as "incorrect." During the defense's cross-examination of witnesses, the bench often interrupted questioning. The 706-page official transcript contained none of the objections or inconsistencies in the evidence pointed out by the defense. Former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark, who attended the trial, wrote:quote|The prosecution's case was based entirely on several witnesses who were detained until they confessed, who changed and expanded their confessions and testimony with each reiteration, who contradicted themselves and each other, who, except for Masood Mahmood... were relating what others said, whose testimony led to four different theories of what happened, absolutely uncorroborated by an eyewitness, direct evidence, or physical evidence.Fact|date=July 2008

When Bhutto began his testimony on January 25, 1978, Chief Justice Maulvi Mustaq closed the courtroom to all observers. Bhutto responded by refusing to say any more. Bhutto demanded a retrial, accusing the Chief Justice of bias, after Mustaq allegedly insulted Bhutto's home province. The court refused his demand.

Death sentence and appeal

On March 18, 1978, Bhutto was found guilty of murder and sentenced to death. Bhutto did not seek an appeal. While he was transferred to a cell in Rawalpindi central jail, his family appealed on his behalf, and a hearing before the Supreme Court commenced in May. Bhutto was given one week to prepare. Bhutto issued a thorough rejoinder to the charges, although Zia blocked its publication. Chief Justice S. Anwarul Haq adjourned the court until the end of July 1978, supposedly because five of the nine appeals court judges were willing to overrule the Lahore verdict. One of the pro-Bhutto judges was due to retire in July.

Chief Justice S. Anwarul Haq presided over the trial, despite being close to Zia, even serving as Acting President when Zia was out of the country. Bhutto's lawyers managed to secure Bhutto the right to conduct his own defense before the Supreme Court. On December 18, 1978, Bhutto made his appearance in public before a packed courtroom in Rawalpindi. By this time he had been on death row for 9 months and had gone without fresh water for the previous 25 days. He addressed the court for four days, speaking without notes.

The appeal was completed on December 23, 1978. On February 6, 1979, the Supreme Court issued a guilty verdict, a decision reached by a bare 4-to-3 majority. The Bhutto family had seven days in which to appeal. The court granted a stay of execution while it studied the petition. By February 24, 1979 when the next court hearing began, appeals for clemency arrived from many heads of state. Zia said that the appeals amounted to "trade union activity" among politicians.

On March 24, 1979 the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal. Zia upheld the death sentence. Bhutto was hanged at Adiyala Jail, Rawalpindi, on 4 April, 1979. [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Zulfikar+Ali+Bhutto?tid=informline Zulfikar Ali Bhutto News & Articles on washingtonpost.com ] ]

Films on the life of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto

In April 2008, a documentary film on the life of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, made by prominent journalist and media personality, Javed Malik was released in the presence of Yousaf Raza Gillani the Prime Minister of Pakistan who was leading the Pakistan Peoples Party government which was founded by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. [ [http://www.ppp.org.pk/news_event/feb/31-3-2008.html Pakistan Peoples Party Nes/Press Releases ] ]

Criticism and legacy

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto remains a controversial figure in Pakistan. While he was hailed for being a nationalist, Bhutto was roundly criticised for opportunism and intimidating his political opponents. He gave Pakistan its third constitution, oversaw Pakistan's nuclear programme, held peace talks with neighbour India and was more of an Internationalist with a secular image.cite news
author = US Country Studies
url = http://countrystudies.us/pakistan/20.htm
title = Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
format = PHP
accessdate = 2006-11-07] His socialist policies are blamed for slowing down Pakistan's economic progress owing to poor productivity and high costs. Bhutto is also criticised for human rights abuses perpetrated by the army in Balochistan.cite news
author = US Country Studies
url = http://countrystudies.us/pakistan/20.htm
title = Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
format = PHP
accessdate = 2006-11-07
last = Taheri
first = Amir
date = 2006-10-18
url = http://www.aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=8&id=6746
title = In the Line of Fire: A Memoir
format = PHP
accessdate = 2006-11-07] cite news
author = US Country Studies
url = http://countrystudies.us/pakistan/20.htm
title = Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
format = PHP
accessdate = 2006-11-07] Bhutto's action against the insurgency in Balochistan is blamed for causing widespread civil dissent and calls for secession. [cite book
last = Frank
first = Katherine
authorlink = Katherine Frank
year = 2002
title = Indira: The Life of Indira Nehru Gandhi
publisher = Houghton Mifflin
location = USA
ISBN = 0-395-73097-X
pages = 438Bhutto introduced socialist economic reforms while working to prevent any further division of the country. he enacted tax relief for the country’s poorest agricultural workers and placed ceilings on land ownership. During his tenure there was a massive transfer of resources towards the dominant rural economy by setting higher prices for agricultural products. [http://www.bookrags.com/Zulfikar_Ali_Bhutto] ] Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology is named for him; his daughter was chairman of its board of trustees. [cite web
url= http://www.szabist.edu.pk/about.htm
title= Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST)
accessdate= 2007-12-29
quote= The Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST) is a fully Chartered Institute established through a Legislative Act of the Pakistan Assembly (Sindh Act No. XI of 1995) and is approved and recognized by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan, as a degree granting institution.] His family remained active in politics, with first his wife and then his daughter becoming leader of the PPP political party. His daughter, Benazir Bhutto, was twice prime minister of Pakistan, and was assassinated on December 27, 2007, while campaigning for upcoming elections.

###@@@KEY@@@###Succession box
title = Foreign Minister of Pakistan
years = 1963 – 1966
before = Muhammad Ali Bogra
after = Syed Sharifuddin PirzadaSuccession box
title = Foreign Minister of Pakistan
years = 1971 – 1977
before = Yahya Khan
after = Aziz AhmedSuccession box
title = President of Pakistan
years = 1971 – 1973
before = Yahya Khan
after = Fazal Ilahi ChaudhrySuccession box
title = Interior Minister of Pakistan
years = 1971 – 1972
before = Sardar Abdur Rashid Khan
after = Abdul Qayyum KhanSuccession box
title = Interior Minister of Pakistan
years = 1977
before = Abdul Qayyum Khan
after = M. Inamul HaqSuccession box
title = Speaker of National Assembly
years = 1972 – 1973
before = Abdul Jabbar Khan
after = Fazal Ilahi ChaudhrySuccession box
title = Prime Minister of Pakistan
years = 1973 – 1977
before = Nurul Amin
after = Muhammad Khan JunejoSuccession box
title = Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party
years = 1967 – 1979
before = Office established
after = Nusrat Bhutto

Works

*"Peace-Keeping by the United Nations", Pakistan Publishing House, Karachi, 1967
*"Political Situation in Pakistan", Veshasher Prakashan, New Delhi, 1968
*"The Myth of Independence", Oxford University Press, Karachi and Lahore, 1969
*"The Great Tragedy", Pakistan People's Party, Karachi, 1971
*"Politics of the People" (speeches, statements and articles), 1948-1971
*"", Quartet Books, London, 1977
*"My Pakistan", Biswin Sadi Publications, New Delhi, 1979
*"If I am Assassinated", Vikas, New Delhi, 1979
*"My Execution", Musawaat Weekly International, London, 1980
*"New Directions", Narmara Publishers, London, 1980
* Marching towards democracy

Books on Bhutto

* Leopard and the fox, Tariq Ali
* Pakistan Under Bhutto, S. J. Burki (1980)
* Zulfi Bhutto of Pakistan, Stanley Wolpert (1993)
* Interview with History, Oriana Fallaci (1988)
* Zulfi my friend, Piloo Mody
* The mirage of power, Dr Mubashir Hasan
* Bhutto, trial and execution, Victoria Schofield
* The Great Tragedy, Jang Publishers Press (1993)
* Zulfi my inspiration, Syed Mehdi Raza (2003)
* Mera Lahoo, Mr. Farrukh Sohail Goindi
* bhutto key akhri 323 din, colonol rafi

ee also

* Movement for Restoration of Democracy
* Ghinwa Bhutto
* Benazir Bhutto
* Murtaza Bhutto
* Hyderabad tribunal
* Constitution of Pakistan
* Asghar Khan
* Mufti Mahmud
* Malik Anwer Ali Noon

References

* Kulmar, Satish, "The New Pakistan", 1979
* Burki, S.J., "Pakistan under Bhutto, 1971-1977", 1980

External links

* [http://www.bhutto.org/ Shaheed Bhutto's Official Web Site]
* [http://www.ppp.org.pk/ Pakistan Peoples Party Official Website]
* [http://www.ehtesab.org/wiki/index.php?title=Bhutto_Speeches_%28Only_for_broadband_viewers%29 Bhutto Speeches Video (Only for broadband viewers)]
* [http://www.pakdef.info/multimedia/bhutto_address.wmv Video clip speech of Prime Minister Z A Bhutto's after the Indian nuclear explosion of 1974]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nglYzGOQpyQ Video in UN Security Council]
* [http://www.history.com/media.do?action=clip&id=d1t11 Audio] ---History Channel
* [http://www.ppp.org.pk/zab.html Zulfikar Ali Bhutto founder of Pakistan Peoples Party]
* [http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/ The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan]
* [http://storyofpakistan.com/person.asp?perid=P019 Biography]
* [http://www.vvipvideo.com/Ali_Bhutto Video of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/media/video/otdvideo/79/04/05/6920_05-04-79?size=4x3&bgc=6699CC&nbram=1&nbram=1&bbram=1&news=1 Video news report after Bhutto's execution] - BBC
* [http://www.alteregoproductions.org/blog/2007/07/the_leopard_and_the_fox_our_ne.htm Alter Ego Productions: The Leopard and The Fox]

Persondata
NAME=Bhutto, Zulfikar Ali
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Bhutto, Zulfiqar Ali
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Pakistani politician
DATE OF BIRTH=January 5, 1928
PLACE OF BIRTH=Larkana
DATE OF DEATH=April 4, 1979
PLACE OF DEATH=