Even today, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto remains the central theme of Pakistani politics thanks to his millions of ever-increasing followers. Since his era, the world has drastically transformed all over. We have witnessed the collapse of the socialist revolutionary zeal and with it a total change in the dynamics of world politics. Even the relatively stable Arab world has seen historic upheaval and the overthrowing of rulers, left, right, and center. However, the political camps in Pakistan are still divided between the pro-Bhutto and his anti.
I can still vividly recollect that sparkling charismatic face. The memory of the man who used to stride instead of walking and his meteoric rise on the political scene, from 1957 onwards, is all still fresh in my mind. Thirty-five years after his martyrdom, he still is very much alive. His followers still love him and vote for his cause. Long before 9/11, way before the world was confronted with the challenge of extremism and terrorism, and much earlier than today when every nation has embraced enlightenment as a way forward, we had a leader who believed in moderation and mutual co-existence as the only way for us and the world to live and prosper, together. In 1970, he had declared that moderation was the destiny of the third world and extremism and fundamentalism were the biggest threats to the Muslim nation. The number of leaders of the Muslim world who he had gathered at the single table of the Islamic Conference in Lahore have never been seen so together at one place, again. His vision, not just limited to Pakistan, showed the way to the world.
He began his political career as a Federal Minister in 1957 during the tenure of Sikandar Mirza. However, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's love for this nation and this land was evident at every stage. Whatever his role, Minister of Oil and Natural Resources or a Foreign Minister, his vision and acumen were always awe-inspiring. In his speech during a blackout of the 1965 war, his declaration that the nation was ready to fight a thousand-year war for our right and for the sake of the people of Kashmir, earned him the love of millions of Pakistani, especially in the Punjab. In my view, Pakistan People's Party was founded that very night; the establishment of the party on 30th November 1967, was but a formality at a time when General Ayub Khan lost a war on the negotiating table at Tashkent, which this nation had proudly won on the battlefield.
Then the expressions on Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's face were a true reflection of the sadness in the hearts of the nation at the time. History has proved each and every of his word right. I was part of the thousands of youth who had gathered at the Lahore Railway Station to welcome the courageous Foreign Minister who had just resigned. That day has been one of the brightest in our history. His struggle against the dictatorial rule of Ayub Khan is the most significant era of our history. His electoral success within three years of struggle was a testimony to his disciplined movement as well as a reflection of the Pakistani peoples who were now aware and enlightened. This was the dynamic which laid the foundation of a new Pakistan.
In 1971, when the country was facing the gravest challenge to its existence, the responsibility of the nation was entrusted on Bhutto. He kept national interest first. Without any hint of vengeance, he made the institution of the army much more resourceful. With the help of friendly countries, he ensured the freedom of the prisoners of war and the return of 5000 square miles of captured territory from the enemy. He gave the nation a Constitution on which everyone agreed and initiated the national nuclear programme, established friendly relations with Arab nations, sent over hundreds and thousands of workers to help prop up the frail economy with much-needed foreign exchange.
In this way, one visionary man, within a short span, helped addressed multitudes of challenges and problems which had piled up over decades.
4th April is the darkest day in our history when an elected Prime Minister was sent to the gallows. This was a judicial murder which threw the nation into sorrow and despair. Even today, this nation is suffering the consequences of that one fateful day. The world remembers Shaheed Bhutto, those who tried to killed him and his mission have long been forgotten. His grave is thronged by his followers at the Garhi Khuda Bukhsh, every day, at the same place where his beloved daughter and another great leader and martyr of the nation, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto lies, his daughter who did justice to Bhutto's mission and who also laid her life for the betterment of the people.
The sacrifices of the father and a daughter, both the two of the finest leaders this nation has ever had, will never be forgotten. Today, Pakistan People's Party is still the largest political party and the Bhutto's mission is the only solution to this ill-fated nation's crisis and dilemmas.