‘Bhutto was hanged for good work, not for his mistakes’
Panelists pay tribute to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto at a discussion at Szabist on Friday
Panelists pay tribute to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto at a discussion at Szabist on Friday. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
There is little chance of a Pakistani not knowing who Zulfikar Ali Bhutto is when his slogans still echo in society. To pay tribute and appreciate the work the late founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party did for Pakistan, a panel discussion was organised at Szabist on Friday.
"Bhutto's personality had [a sort of] charisma that attracted everyone, especially students. The youth started to believe he was the saviour of the nation after the separation of East Pakistan," said Anis Haroon, former chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women.
Pakistan still suffering from aftermath of Bhutto’s execution: Imran Khan
The panel consisted of people who knew the former prime minister, such as Senator Taj Haider, Dr SM Qureshi, poet Fahmida Riaz and Dr Alia Imam. Haider, who has been associated with the Pakistan People's Party since its inception, said if Bhutto was not hanged, the condition of the nation would be very different. He added that the current turmoil in the Middle East would not have been possible had Bhutto been living today.
While talking about his remarkable work, Haider claimed that uniting all the Muslim countries was one of Bhutto's great achievements. He always believed in serving the common man and although he was mocked for being so informal with the people, he always said taaqat ka sarchashma awaam hai [thepower belongs to the people], recalled Haider.
"Bhutto was hanged because he challenged the Western powers, which is a myth in our society," said Haider.
Although we at that time also criticised him for some of his policies, for example declaring Ahmedis non- Muslims, he did remarkable things for the underprivileged people of the country, said Riaz. She added that Bhutto was never hanged for his mistakes but for his good work.
Dr Qureshi added that, "He had a great vision to expand the field of science and technology in the country." Bhutto believed in promoting education to every corner of the country, he claimed. "Bhutto is the father of Pakistan's nuclear programme, which strengthened not only our defence but also the energy sector," said Dr Qureshi.
I refuse to observe Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s death anniversary
Dr Imam also praised Bhutto for his close connections with Pakistan's labourers and farmers. She added that he is an example for the youngsters and students, as he took a stand for the whole Muslim world, which was never liked by the western powers.
"I would like to say that the powers of darkness never tolerate someone with the light and Bhutto was a light for the less privileged of the country," said Dr Imam about the fall of Bhutto's government and his hanging.
Shahnaz Wazir Ali, the acting president of SZABIST, in her concluding address said that Bhutto's contributions for the nation are remarkable.
He was the master of international diplomacy and it was never liked by the international powers when he strengthened Pakistan's relations with China, according to her. "Projects like CPEC would not have been possible without the efforts Bhutto made during his era," Ali concluded.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 23rd, 2016.
There is little chance of a Pakistani not knowing who Zulfikar Ali Bhutto is when his slogans still echo in society. To pay tribute and appreciate the work the late founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party did for Pakistan, a panel discussion was organised at Szabist on Friday.
"Bhutto's personality had [a sort of] charisma that attracted everyone, especially students. The youth started to believe he was the saviour of the nation after the separation of East Pakistan," said Anis Haroon, former chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women.
Pakistan still suffering from aftermath of Bhutto’s execution: Imran Khan
The panel consisted of people who knew the former prime minister, such as Senator Taj Haider, Dr SM Qureshi, poet Fahmida Riaz and Dr Alia Imam. Haider, who has been associated with the Pakistan People's Party since its inception, said if Bhutto was not hanged, the condition of the nation would be very different. He added that the current turmoil in the Middle East would not have been possible had Bhutto been living today.
While talking about his remarkable work, Haider claimed that uniting all the Muslim countries was one of Bhutto's great achievements. He always believed in serving the common man and although he was mocked for being so informal with the people, he always said taaqat ka sarchashma awaam hai [thepower belongs to the people], recalled Haider.
"Bhutto was hanged because he challenged the Western powers, which is a myth in our society," said Haider.
Although we at that time also criticised him for some of his policies, for example declaring Ahmedis non- Muslims, he did remarkable things for the underprivileged people of the country, said Riaz. She added that Bhutto was never hanged for his mistakes but for his good work.
Dr Qureshi added that, "He had a great vision to expand the field of science and technology in the country." Bhutto believed in promoting education to every corner of the country, he claimed. "Bhutto is the father of Pakistan's nuclear programme, which strengthened not only our defence but also the energy sector," said Dr Qureshi.
I refuse to observe Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s death anniversary
Dr Imam also praised Bhutto for his close connections with Pakistan's labourers and farmers. She added that he is an example for the youngsters and students, as he took a stand for the whole Muslim world, which was never liked by the western powers.
"I would like to say that the powers of darkness never tolerate someone with the light and Bhutto was a light for the less privileged of the country," said Dr Imam about the fall of Bhutto's government and his hanging.
Shahnaz Wazir Ali, the acting president of SZABIST, in her concluding address said that Bhutto's contributions for the nation are remarkable.
He was the master of international diplomacy and it was never liked by the international powers when he strengthened Pakistan's relations with China, according to her. "Projects like CPEC would not have been possible without the efforts Bhutto made during his era," Ali concluded.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 23rd, 2016.