A charismatic leader

Sureshlasi · #1 Thursday, March 01, 2007

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Pakistan -- 1977

By: Rafi Raza

Publishers: Oxford University Press, Karachi

Pgs: 403

By Mahjabeen Agha

When I tell the truth, it is not for the sake of convincing those who do not know it, but for the sake of defending those that do.

--William Blake

Ironically, we remember our political heroes either on their birthdays or on their death anniversaries. But some people always live in our memories, and the founding leader of Pakistan People's Party, or PPP, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, is one such personality.

I always look for well-researched books particularly highlighting the achievements and failings of renowned political figures. Last year on the death anniversary of Z. A. Bhutto I chanced to go through Stanley Wolpert's Zulfi Bhutto of Pakistan. The book compelled me to read more about Bhutto, and I purchased Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Pakistan 1967-1977, an edifying book by Rafi Raza, to satisfy my curiosity.

Each year on April 4 PPP's leaders and workers pay tributes to one of the charismatic leaders of Pakistan, Z. A. Bhutto, who promised a prosperous future to the people of Pakistan. His slogan of roti, kapra aur makaan won him a huge support among the downtrodden majority.

Do all the educated people know everything about Bhutto, his protagonist character, his foreign policy, or the party that he founded? I suspect the answer would be mainly in negative. Few people related to or interested in Pakistani politics might be knowing about Bhutto's contribution to democracy in Pakistan. I think this was one of the main reasons that compelled Rafi Raza to chronicle Bhutto's political career with honesty and accuracy, so that the reader may himself distinguishes between the myth and reality.

Rafi Raza, one of Bhutto's principle aides, attended Brasenose College, Oxford, and became the constitutional law expert of Bhutto's People's Party. From Mujibur Rehman to Yeyha Khan's military regime and to the United Nations Security Council in 1971, he served in Bhutto's negotiation team. One of the key figures in the constitution making process Raza had been associated with Bhutto in almost all the major political and diplomatic developments of the era. He had served on top official positions during Bhutto's tenure. Besides, he had represented Pakistan at various international meetings and conferences.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Pakistan 1967-1977, the book under review, is a well-researched book wherein the writer gives first hand information about all the political developments of the Bhutto government since he himself participated in most of the decisions taken during the time of Zulfi, as his family and friends lovingly called him.

Each account in the book is narrated with simplicity and lucidity for the convenience of the reader. The contents are divided chronologically, so that the reader could be able to find his/her topic of interest easily. For example domestic affairs and foreign affairs are given separately. A list of illustrations with the names of personalities and historical events is also given for pictorial description. A brief introduction to Z. A. Bhutto's earlier life is also given in the book. Basically, the book is based on the significant events the writer had witnessed himself in the 10-year period from 1967 to 1977 when he was serving the government. While revealing the events occurred during the aforementioned period, the author acted as a narrator, impartially chronicling all major and minor details of the events.

I believe the assessment of Z. A. Bhutto's personality or his political acumen is not an easy task because majority of the people favour Bhutto's foreign or domestic policies. He was a charismatic leader for many, but for some others he was a controversial figure, as Eugene V. Debs states, "When great changes occur in history, when great principles are involved, as a rule the majority are wrong." Therefore, understanding the fragile sensitivity of Bhutto's personality, Raza has considered both groups in mind, and even narrated his personal conversation at various places.

Since the narration of factual events demand extreme impartiality and non-partisan approach, Raza uses a formal style with an artistic touch of his own perception.

From political point of view, it is a chronicle of significant events of Partisan's tumultuous political history, including constitution making, general elections of the 70s and its aftermaths, military coup d'etat, East Pakistan debacle, Gen Ziaul Haq's takeover, and the fall of Bhutto's regime. An in-depth analysis of these events is also given. This book is no doubt a unique first-hand account of the role of the well-educated leader Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in Pakistan's political history.

To lend authenticity to the information in his book, Raza mentions the source books in 'Notes' at the end of each chapter. Besides, the author also gives his personal viewpoint as he had himself been witness to many political developments of the era, which I believe is enough to justify the accuracy of information contained in the book.

In my opinion, Raza's book carries great importance as a source of information. He not only chronicles the political events of the era but also analyses them for the convenience of the reader. For those who want to know about Bhutto this book is a must read.

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