Benazir Bhutto is a figure in Pakistani history who not only made her mark in politics but also established her political identity around the world. Her political journey has been full of ups and downs, including both rise and fall. In her autobiography Daughter of Destiny, also published as Daughter of the East, Benazir Bhutto recounts her life story, starting from her privileged childhood in a wealthy and influential Pakistani family. In her autobiography, she writes about her education at Harvard and Oxford, the execution of her father, former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, and her political awakening. The book also mentions the challenges she faced on her way to becoming the first female elected prime minister of a Muslim-majority country and the subsequent periods of exile.
Stepping into Politics
Benazir Bhutto was born in 1953 into a political family in Sindh. Her father, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, was a former President and Prime Minister of Pakistan. Benazir’s early education was in Pakistan and Iran, after which she went to the United States and the United Kingdom to pursue higher education at Harvard and Oxford universities. After completing her education, she returned to Pakistan but two years after General Zia ul Haq’s martial law in 1977, her father was hanged. This tragedy shook Benazir Bhutto’s life.
Formation of MRD
Entering politics in 1979, Benazir Bhutto played a key role in the formation of the “Movement for the Restoration of Democracy” (MRD) along with her mother Begum Nusrat Bhutto. It was a political alliance in which various political parties in Pakistan raised their voices against General Zia ul Haq’s martial law. Begum Nusrat Bhutto, the widow of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and a prominent political figure, played a key role in founding the MRD. She was also imprisoned for organizing rallies and demonstrations against martial law across the country, but she remained steadfast in her purpose. She was a seasoned woman politician and had recognized the rare political gem hidden in her daughter, so she kept Benazir Bhutto by her side in the political struggle.
Under the leadership of MRD and the guidance of her mother Begum Nusrat Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto fought against martial law and for the restoration of democracy. Her fiery speeches and bold style began to gain popularity among the masses. When Nusrat Bhutto was arrested and imprisoned in 1983, Benazir Bhutto led a campaign for her mother’s release and put pressure on the international community. Eventually, Nusrat Bhutto was released in 1984.
Since Benazir Bhutto was highly educated, had strong ties abroad, and was also a high-level administrator, these skills began to add to the MRD movement. She gained support for the MRD protest movement from abroad and not only helped recruit volunteers for the movement within the MRD but also played a full role in paving the way for funding for the MRD movement at the national and international level. Due to her full potential and struggle within the MRD, she became the Vice President of MRD in 1986.
Victories in the 1988 and 1993 Elections
After the plane crash of General Zia ul Haq in 1988, general elections were held in Pakistan. In these, Benazir Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) won a clear majority and formed the government. Thus, Benazir Bhutto became the first female elected Prime Minister of Pakistan. She became Prime Minister twice, and her second government was formed in 1993. During her first term, her government made efforts to eradicate poverty, promote education, and women’s rights, but there were also allegations of corruption during her tenure. Critics alleged that Benazir Bhutto awarded government contracts to close associates and misappropriated public funds. These allegations, although never conclusively proven, damaged public trust in her leadership at the time.
Benazir Bhutto also faced a decline in foreign investment and rising debt levels during her tenure. While she implemented policies to promote privatization and economic growth, the results were mixed. The public grew increasingly frustrated with the slow pace of improvement.
During this time, Benazir Bhutto’s relationship with the then-establishment and President Ghulam Ishaq Khan also became increasingly strained. Accusations of interference and the power struggle between the two led to political instability. The President eventually used his constitutional powers to dissolve Benazir Bhutto’s government in 1990, resulting in fresh elections.
Exile
After her defeat in the 1990 elections, corruption cases continued against Benazir Bhutto. Fresh elections were held in1993, in which her party won again, and she was elected Prime Minister for the second time. However, this time her government could not achieve much stability and faced various political crises. Corruption charges were also leveled against her husband, Asif Ali Zardari.
This time, it was not someone else but her own chosen President, Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari, who played a role in dissolving her government. After the dismissal of Benazir Bhutto’s government in 1996, new elections were held in which her party faced defeat. Following this defeat, to avoid corruption charges against her, Benazir Bhutto went into self-imposed exile in Dubai and London until 1999. During this time, General Pervez Musharraf seized power in Pakistan in a coup d’état. While in exile, Benazir Bhutto remained busy trying to organize her political party.
Benazir Bhutto’s Return to Pakistan
To consolidate his power, Pervez Musharaf introduced the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) to allow political activities to flourish and grant freedom to political leaders, especially Benazir Bhutto, to participate in politics in Pakistan. Critics heavily criticized the NRO, calling it a deal between Pervez Musharaf and allegedly corrupt politicians. However, this move also paved the way for Benazir Bhutto’s return to Pakistan.
After eight years of self-imposed exile, Benazir Bhutto’s return to Pakistan in 2007 was marked by a tumultuous welcome in Karachi. There were emotional scenes, and Benazir Bhutto herself couldn’t control her emotions, thanking her God with tearful eyes as she stepped on Pakistani soil.
On the way from Karachi Airport to Bilawal House, there was a huge crowd of people eager to catch a glimpse of their beloved leader, even willing to risk their lives. And then came what was feared. A powerful suicide blast occurred near Benazir Bhutto’s motorcade near Karsaz Flyover, in which she narrowly escaped, but 180 people lost their lives.
The very next day, she went to the hospital to visit the wounded, where the public went crazy with admiration for her. The fearless Benazir Bhutto campaigned vigorously for her political comeback. The former Prime Minister’s aim was to regain lost public popularity and lead the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to victory in the upcoming elections. However, her path was fraught with challenges from the military and political rivals.
Tragically, Benazir Bhutto’s passion and dedication to serving the people came to an end in December 2007. She was assassinated in another suicide attack during an election rally in Rawalpindi. Her sudden demise plunged Pakistan into a deep political crisis. Benazir Bhutto’s return had ignited a spark of hope in the nation, but her death left an indelible mark on Pakistani politics, one that will likely remain for generations to come.
(This article is written by Arman Sabir, who is senior journalist and former Secretary of the Karachi Press Club and the Karachi Union of Journalists. He has served Daily Dawn, BBC, AP and ARY News. He is on YouTube as Arman Sabir Vlogs, Twitter @armansabir)