Whether or not he succeeds in commanding the charisma of his slain mother remains to be seen.
The 25-year-old heir to Pakistan’s most famous political dynasty has spoken out against the monster of militancy with the thunder and roar of an accomplished politico. At the sixth death anniversary of his slain mother, Benazir Bhutto, in his ancestral town of Garhi Khuda Baksh on December 27, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was forthright and clear in his bold stance against the architects of death and destruction. “The only way to save Pakistan is to battle terrorism … and the only party standing against terrorism is the PPP,” he told a massive rally assembled to commemorate the huge sacrifice of their beloved leader for the cause of democracy. In a clear departure from the party’s stated position at an All Parties Conference convened by the government in September, the scion of the Bhutto family rejected all possibilities of talks with militants and wondered aloud: “How can we talk to those who shed the nation’s blood?”
At a time when not many in the political landscape appear inclined to dare the forces of militancy, Bilawal’s hard-hitting speech against the foot soldiers of extremism is a much-needed whiff of fresh air. That he cared not a jot about the fact that he may be putting his own life in danger by setting off such a tirade deserves full appreciation. But at the same time, one cannot help recalling that the PPP, of which Bilawal is the patron-in-chief, fritted away an ample opportunity spanning over five years to rein in militancy — through both carrot and stick — and ensure that the nation is rid of its destructive influence. Now that his party has landed in opposition, its detractors may argue that it is easier to prescribe the sitting government its duty while sitting away from command and control and still take the high moral ground. Be that as it may, Bilawal’s speech, laced with innuendo, sarcasm and scorn, also made a short shrift of the PPP’s political foes — giving clear hint that he was priming himself to take the centre stage in the political arena in due course. Whether or not he succeeds in commanding the charisma of his slain mother remains to be seen but we will say that she would have been proud.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 29th, 2013.
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COMMENTS (20)
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Now if only he would speak against corruption, mis-governance and nepotism with the same vigor.
@Mirza:
The next generation of Pakistani political leaders will actually have to offer an account of political action committed against militancy and extremism which has brought Pakistan virtually to its knees. While developing political skills and the speaking against the grain will have its rewards for this young man, putting his life on the line in a climate of fear that pervades current political oratory in Pakistan today. Political leaders who have grappled with Pakistani politics using religion to foster their political goals will be swept aside, when the electorate decides enough is enough. As for those of his critics who put him in the same slot of exploiters, should stop for a moment and think that after having lost two generations of the Bhuttos to perpetuated violence what would prompt a young man to take the risk of his own life other than for a belief of service to Pakistan and the potential of its society.
Sorry he hasnt looted pakistan enough to make them proud.
@Mirza: Your viewpoint and analysis.is good for dining room chitchat. Baby Bhutto is reading scripted speeches by expert handlers. Memorized to look authentic,spontaneous. He had to come back. To make his $ millions. [That's US dollars.] The corrupt machine is already in place. Courtesy Papa & Mama.
Are we still living in Biblical times that we keep looking for Messiahs and Prophets to lead us out of Egypt to the Promised Land??
Bilawal unlike Imran Khan has a 10 feet high, 3 feet thick wall protecting him from TTP.. plus he can hide in Dubai when ever it gets rough.. Where are the guts ?
Anyone once again supporting PPP has to be the dumbest person on this planet! Has everyone forgotten what they did to the country? Increase in Shia killing, worst economy ever, government institution collapsing, Karachi violence hit a whole new level, bomb blast increased significantly and our beloved president was in Europe with his Honorable children.
Wow!! champions of democracy. No democracy in their party though
I don't think he has done anything yet to be proud of. I would not vote for him without knowing what his personal contribution to this country are, which quite honestly are none. Hiding outside country and returning for a speech or two does not give you the right to lead people of Pakistan.
PS: I am not a supporter of Imran or NS.
@Ch. Allah Daad. You will surely appreciate him. Ultimately your party and his party are same!!!!!!!!
Great comment by Mirza above too. Agreed completely.
Bilawal's speech is what you would expect from a true, brave leader. Kudos to him. Imran uncle should take a note out of young Bilawal's book and learn to call a spade a spade too.
Bravo for speaking SO CLEARLY against terrorism and TTP and urging the Govt to take action. Alas that part of the speach should have been made 5 years ago .Ya ya ya , he was still studying but I am talikng to his speach wrirtes and Zardari.Musharraf egged the terorrists to play his double game with a target to keep mainstream parties away from politics. He let them settle in FATA, And what did Zardari do in last b5 years? Oh come child , people memories are not that weak.But bravo nevertheless. And how come ET showers accolades on speach writ large with QABROUN KEE SIYASAT. How long we will live in dark ages?
@Mirza: His only qualification is that he is the son of Benazir. Spend a fraction of the money on a 10th grade debater being spent on Bilawal, you'll get a better ZAB in the making. This democracy is heading us nowhere! Unforunately!
PPP, ANP, MQM, and the people of Pakistan have suffered the most and should be united to fight out the menace of extremism from the country. The Army needs to make up its mind to go all out .... you can do it.
A balanced and pragmatic Op Ed by the editors of ET, thanks for that. The strong negative reaction of all rightwing forces tells the whole story. If Bilawal is what his opponents say then there is no reason to react or even take notice. I find the tone of a young ZAB in Bilawal. He speaks much better Urdu (even though it is not his mother tongue) than Mr. Jinnah or even young ZAB. He has a comparable accent to Gen Ayub when he came into power. Bilawal has every right to come and contest elections from his native land. It is great to see him coming back after his studies and offer himself to the electorate. He could have stayed overseas and enjoyed all the security and luxuries like most rich families but he is another ZAB in the making and that is why so much reaction. Bilawal should go one step further than this speech and visit the old PPP workers and leaders and offer unconditional apology. Just mentioning them in a speech is not enough. Most PPP supporters would give him the benefit of doubt.
Till when we will remain captives of these political dynasties
Anybody speaking against militancy and secular ideas should make us all proid, not only his mother BB. Bilawal can start where his grandfatjher did not succeed. A secular and liberal Pakistan at peacre with itself. Enogh of those who see solution in middle age philosophies. We should all respect other views and not scare others if they have different views and ideas. Well done Bilawal. But be catreful, secular leaders do not have long lives in societies which accept only conservative values.
Egg the poor lad on; he will make a fine martyr and as a fringe benefit, media will have another anniversary to celebrate! A win win situation indeed!!
Bilawal has clearly won first round over Imran Khan.