Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto: Legacy Evaluated

Saleem Raza

Bradford, UK: Balawal Bhutto ‘s political career remains in flux, considered as a work in progress under the political tutelage of his more illustrious father, the President of Pakistan Asif Zirdari.

Undoubtedly, he is the beneficiary of his mother and his grandfather’s legacies. He is yet to make his independent political mark. It is in this context we briefly look at the political legacy of his grandfather, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, perhaps, relatively, the most important reference point for Balawal Bhutto.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s political career began under the shadow of military rule. In the late 1960s, the political vacuum caused by the failure of the government to address the demands of the people left Pakistan vulnerable to military intervention. General Ayub Khan took power in 1958 and ruled with an iron fist.

Bhutto, who was initially seen as an advocate for democratic principles, joined Ayub’s regime in the early 1960s. He became Pakistan’s youngest-ever Foreign Minister in 1963 and was considered one of Ayub Khan’s most trusted political allies.

However, as time went on, Bhutto became disillusioned with Ayub’s autocratic style of governance and began to see an opportunity for himself. His ambition led him to break away from the military regime, as he positioned himself as a potential alternative leader to Ayub Khan.

In 1967, he founded the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) with the slogan “Roti, Kapra, aur Makan” (Food, Clothing, and Shelter), which resonated with the common people, but his main focus was consolidating his own political path.

It is a historical fact that Bhutto’s rise to power is inextricably linked with his cooperation with the establishment . Initially, he worked alongside Ayub Khan, supporting his policies and consolidating his own political standing. Bhutto’s political fortunes were tied to military regimes, and within the political toxic culture of Pakistan with the establishment taking a central position, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto had to make some significant compromises.

Bhutto’s relationship with the military remained a central aspect of his leadership. Even after Ayub Khan’s resignation in 1969 and the imposition of another military dictatorship under General Yahya Khan, Bhutto’s political machinations were designed to gain support from the military establishment. He played a key role in ensuring Yahya Khan’s hold on power and, in turn, secured his own political prominence.

One of the most controversial aspects of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s political career was his role in the tragic events leading to the breakaway of East Pakistan in 1971. In the 1970 general elections, the Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, emerged as the clear winner, securing a majority in the national assembly.

Mujib’s victory was a clear mandate for the political autonomy of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). However, Bhutto, the beneficiary of votes in West Pakistan . This exacerbated the disillusionment and heightened the discontent in East Pakistan thus providing the foundation for eventual establishment of Bangladesh.

In the 1970s, after assuming power, Bhutto’s economic policies, though popular among certain segments of society, had long-term negative effects on Pakistan’s economic development. One of the most significant and controversial aspects of his economic agenda was the nationalization of key industries and banks.

While nationalization was framed as a means to address inequality and improve the living standards of the common people, in reality, it led to economic stagnation and inefficiency.

The nationalisation of industries, under Bhutto’s leadership, resulted in the collapse of the private sector, decreased foreign investment, and widespread inefficiency in state-run enterprises.

The government-controlled economy stifled innovation and enterprise, contributing to Pakistan’s long-term economic decline. The policies also alienated the business community, which further exacerbated the country’s economic challenges.

Bhutto’s leadership, which began with the promise of a better future for the common people, ultimately contributed to Pakistan’s economic troubles and laid the groundwork for the eventual rise of military dictatorships that followed his downfall.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s political career came to an abrupt end in 1977 when he was overthrown by General Zia-ul-Haq in a military coup. Bhutto was arrested, tried, and convicted for the murder of Nawab Mohammad Ahmad Khan Kasuri, a political opponent. Despite widespread criticism of the trial’s fairness and the legitimacy of the charges, Bhutto was sentenced to death and executed by hanging in April 1979.

While Bhutto remains a significant figure in Pakistan’s history, his legacy is marred with controversy. To his political supporters he remains an unquestionable martyr and to his critics he was a politician who sacrificed the unity of the country. His economic policies, while well intentioned, remain disputed as to their true impact. One thing is true that at the height of his political career he was considered as the voice of the people, placing the basic needs of the public on the political radar.

His political slogan “ Roti , Kapra, aur Makaan “ resonated strongly with public lacking in these basic provisions.

All information and facts provided are the sole responsibility of the writer.

The author, a Pakistan-born creative based in Bradford, UK, is a versatile talent celebrated as a designer, artist, and poet. They hold a postgraduate degree in fashion design from London, showcasing their expertise in both artistic and academic pursuits.

All information and facts provided are the sole responsibility of the writer.

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