Legacy of Benazir Bhutto

LOSS of life is tragic in itself but loss of a leader creates chaos in a nation. We witnessed this chaos when leader of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto lost her life to a terrorist attack during a political rally in Rawalpindi on December 27^th, 2007. This is no doubt a national loss and she will be remembered for a long time for her contributions to the nation. But a political leader is owned by its constituents and it is the right of the people to evaluate their performance. She belonged to a political family going back almost four generations. Politics was considered part of her genes and she could not stay out of it for long. She demonstrated tremendous political acumen when she came back to the center stage after 10 years of self imposed exile. For her nothing ever was off the table for political advantage. Whether it was negotiating with the military general that sacked her father or forming a deal with General Musharraf to return to power. She did not hesitated to seek amendments in constitution, devised by her own father, to get a chance at premiership for the third term. She demonstrated a lot of courage by holding election rallies in all four provinces despite grave threats to her life. She maintained a strong grip on her party through placement of loyalists at all levels of the party. Even after her death, she contributed in preserving the control of the party by Bhutto family by advising in her will that her husband or son should be nominated for the party chairmanship.

Her father Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto rose to power at the back of a military ruler Field Marshall Ayub Khan who appointed him as foreign minister in his cabinet. He later refused to accept the internationally recognized fair elections of 1970 because he could not work with the government of Awani league of East Pakistan as a majority party. He demanded boycott of the national assembly session in Dhaka that decision later became the main cause of separation of East Pakistan . On the economic front Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto pursued a socialist agenda and nationalized all industries which resulted in expansion of government powers and industrial backwardness of Pakistan . Zuliqar Ali Bhutto was also responsible for creating the separatist movement in Balochistan by ordering military operations to subjugate nationalist Balochi leaders.

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto became victim of General Zia ul Haq’s Marshall-law who brought murder charges against him. Supreme Court of Pakistan, influenced by the military government, convicted him of murder charges and ordered his hanging which was promptly carried out by the government. Benazir Bhutto, oldest child of the deposed Prime Minister, while living abroad vowed to take revenge from the military and continue their struggle in the form of Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD). As General Zia felt increasing pressure for restoration of democracy, Benazir agreed to participate in the political process and returned to the country in 1986. There was a widespread belief that she returned to the country by negotiating a deal with the General who deposed and killed her father. Her first stint at power was brief but clouded by charges of corruption and nepotism. She was also considered responsible for the rise of Taliban in Afghanistan . But this might not be totally true as military had its own interest in supporting them with or without Benazir’s consent. Her government was dissolved, in 1990, without completing its term in office.

She got another chance to form a government in 1993 when her party again got slight majority in the national assembly. Unfortunately she had not learned from her past experience and once again nepotism and corruption became hallmark of her second term in office. In 1996, her government was once again dissolved before completing its term by her hand picked President and associate Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari.

During last nine years of General Musharraf’s rule Benazir stayed out of the country in a self-imposed exile. She returned to the country in October 2007 after a controversial deal with the military ruler who swore never to deal with corrupt politicians Benazir and Nawaz Sharif. It was also widely reported that US, UK and other western powers brokered the deal. They believed her to be the only option available to introduce liberalization, modernization and tolerance to the country. This reliance on individuals whether it is Benazir or Musharraf is a faulty approach. West seems to forget that they themselves fought the forces of religious conservatism by introduction of equal opportunity, education, justice and diversity in their societies. Pakistan can not become a modern country unless US and other countries provide financial support for social reforms, education and introduction of free market economy. Instead of supporting authoritarian military rulers, West should also make it clear to the military generals that their involvement in politics will not be accepted.

Traditionally governments in Pakistan try to find a escape goat to blame for any man made calamity. Interim government has blamed al-Qaeda terrorist for the assassination of Benazir Bhutto without gathering complete evidence to prove this claim. Since her return to Pakistan Benazir Bhutto made many statements that were uncomfortable for the establishment. She told foreign correspondence that she will allow interview of Dr. A. Q. Khan by the IAEA. She also suggested that diplomatic relations with Israel will be established if she was elected Prime Minister. She was also seen as a beneficiary of the curtailment of an independent Supreme Court which might have overturned the reconciliation order issued by General Musharraf to pave way for her return to the country.

People of Pakistan have given enough sacrifices for leaders that are driven by their personal desire for power without belief in the democratic principles. Benazir presented herself as a democratic leader but in her will she advised the party to appoint her husband or son as party chairman ignoring services of  all the experienced and respected political leaders of his party.  Asif Ali Zardari might have learned his lesson during his 8 years in jail but it is very difficult for him to control his innate desire for power and riches. He is neither qualified nor respected among the party loyalists.

The riots that ensued after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto have only resulted in the loss for the people itself. All the buses, banks, cars and train engines were wealth of the nation. It is hard to imagine that a family that just lost a son or daughter will start burning their furniture or damage their home. All political leaders have tried to justify the riots as understandable anger of the nation for losing their beloved leader. This is not acceptable as these leaders should condemn the riots resulting in loss of innocent life and property. It is hard to believe that people looting government and private property are loyal to any patriotic party. We have to take ownership of our country and unite for the future. We can not expect others to be as sincere to us as we can be to each other.

(Abdul Quayyum Khan Kundi is a Sr. Vice President Pakistan Chamber of Commerce USA and Chairman Pakistan EXPO Steering Committee)