From Pinky to mohtarma — a journey

Pakistan had not witnessed a hero like Zulfikar Ali Bhutto with such daunting magnetism until 1986, when the ‘daughter of the east’ decided to take on the dictator after having spent years in exile. Benazir, at 53 years of age was martyred. The shortcomings of the dead must be consigned to the lowest dungeons of memory and only the positive side should be broadcast. Death is terrifyingly awesome in its finality and only a few are rewarded with the glory of martyrdom — Benazir was one of them when she fell to a coward’s bullet.

At the young age of 26 she was catapulted into politics following the unexpected judicial murder of her father. Pinky, as her father used to address her lovingly, became a mature, intelligent, sagacious and daring leader, earning herself the respect of her followers who addressed her as mohtarma.

In 1988, following the death of General Zia in an air crash, she was elected as prime minister. This was a feat no Muslim woman had achieved earlier. Being a novice, she fell victim to machinations of palace intrigues and was unceremoniously dismissed on trumped up charges of corruption. With a combative personality inherited from her father she again achieved the impossible by being elected as prime minister twice. But she was unable to complete her term and was sent packing by her trusted and handpicked president. The politicians who had appeared to be her close associates tormented her the most, forcing her to go into self-exile for eight long years. Despite being away from the political field, she did not lose an inch of her support from the masses, who continued to adore her for giving them greater political, economic and social emancipation.

Many decades ago her father had written that “A politician must be patient and must also dare. At times it is not patience but risk and daring that are required. But the risk and daring must not smack of adventurism because it is fatal to play with the future of a whole people who repose confidence in their leaders.”

A bold daughter of a brave father, she remained undeterred by the blast on October 18 2007 that welcomed her back. She remained earnest to her grilling election campaign but got carried away with emotion while leaving Liaquat Bagh; her decision to respond to her enthused supporters proved fatal. She forgot her father’s words about the fine line between ‘daring’ and ‘adventurism’.

As true followers of Benazir, her party must remind itself that the best tribute they can pay to her memory is to stay on the course of democracy and give impetus to the formation of a broad-based national reconciliation program. BB was a true upholder of the federation of Pakistan — the only leader who enjoyed popular support from Karachi to Khyber. While mourning her loss, our hearts go out to her three beautiful children who will take a long time to come to terms with this tragedy in their young lives. The nation, to appease its sense of guilt, may build and name parks, roads, hospitals and universities, after her, but history will not forget nor forgive the country for mercilessly plucking taking her when she was poised to lead, better than ever before.

Benazir will continue to live and rule the hearts of millions of her supporters.

June 21 marks the 57th birth anniversary of Benazir Bhutto

Published in The Express Tribune, June 21^st, 2010.