PUKHTUNKHWA TIMES

SALUTE TO Z A BHUTTO - April 4, 1979 - Long Live Bhuttoism

2024-04-04T07:42:00.002-04:00

By M.Waqar

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was executed on April 4, 1979, a darkest day in the history of Pakistan. Bhutto

wrote a book from his death cell, Titled "If I am assassinated," its last pages contained a quote from Russian author Nikolai Dostoevsky: "Man's dearest possession is his life, and since it is given to him to live but once, he must so live as not to be scared with the shame of a cowardly and trivial past, so as not to be tortured for years without purpose, that dying he can say, 'All my life and my strength were given to the first cause in the world - the liberation of mankind.' " As death stared the Z.A Bhutto in the face, he stared back. His past has no shame of cowardice. His daughter, too, gave her life in courage. "If India builds the bomb we will eat grass or leaves, we will go hungry. But we will get one of our own." This statement by Zulfiar Ali Bhutto should open up our eyes and bring back the passion of patriotism, unity and love for each others for the sake of Pakistan. I would like to express that this man is and was hero of Pakistan.

Historians, Retired Judges of the Superior Courts and eminent lawyers have now unanimously admitted that Mr. Z.A Bhutto was hanged by a military dictator General Zia-Ul Haq by orchestrating a judicial trial to get rid of a popular leader. He gave Pakistan its first constitution, nuclear programme, held peace talks with India and brought 90,000 POW who were in Indian prison and were going to face war crimes. He liberated the small farmers and peasants from the repression and cruelty of big landlords and banished the jagirdari and sardari system declaring that all citizens are born equal and must live with equal rights.

Z.A Bhutto was a Legend, who lived and died like a hero with courage, determination and devotion to his principles, when cruel dictator Zia was going to kill him, Z.A Bhutto could sign few papers and could live in exile but he was a real man, he was not a coward. He too could have made a deal and lived to fight another day; but only great men with principles sacrifice their life for their cause. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto earned everlasting fame in the pantheon of leaders from the Third World in the struggle against colonialism and imperialism. He had the privilege of interacting with many of those leaders who played a great role in the epic struggle for national independence in the 20th Century including Mao Tse Tung, Soekarno, Chou-en Lai, and Gamal Abdel Nasser. He belonged to a category of anti-imperialist leaders who included Jamal Nasir of Egypt and Jawahir Lal Nehru of India. He was a brilliant Diplomat who negotiated some of Pakistan's most enduring diplomatic policies as well as bargaining from a position of weakness against Indira Gandhi in Simla. He was a great diplomat; there is a story that the American President John F. Kennedy was much impressed with then Foreign Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. When they met, Kennedy walked with him in the Rose Garden and said, "Bhutto, if you were an American, you would be in my Cabinet". To which Zulfikar Ali Bhutto smilingly replied, "No, Mr. President. If I were an American, you would be in my cabinet". A Pan Islamic socialist who weakened the Feudal and tribal system.. He also pushed through Pakistan's nuclear programme despite enormous International pressure. He was also a brilliant politician whose popularity and powerful speeches impressed even his worst opponents. It took a great man to get Pakistan out of the 71 trauma. A dynamic leader, who stood up against imperialism and looked to China and other progressive countries for an alliance. When he was Prime Minister, the country prospered and was set on a course of industrial and agricultural development. He gained popularity in villages and poor industrial areas.

Bhutto was the only true leader in our history who gave us constitution, identity in international relations. You will be surprised to know when Bhutto became as Foreign Minister, at that time; we did not have ambassador level relations with so many big countries of the world like Indonesia etc. He empowers the poor of his country.

Such people like Z.A BHUTTO are born rarely, who will forget his capabilities as an extempore speaker, as an writer, as an diplomat, as an leader and above all as lover of poor. On the day of his martyrdom his opponents called him as a culprit but same are now calling him as an innocent. The simple reason for this is that Zia tried his best to create divisions among people in order to finish the popularity of Bhutto. The irony is all those who hatched conspiracy against him are no more in this mortal world, all of them died a horrible death. Bhutto was the greatest leader we can think in the modern history. In his book "If I Am Assassinated", Bhutto clearly mentions his fear of 120 million Pakistanis under a defenseless sky in comparison to a nuclear India. What a vision! India could have swallowed Pakistan long ago if thanks to Bhutto we were not an atomic power. On the economic front Bhutto vision for nationalization was that Pakistanis will work hard like Chinese, but here Pakistanis failed him. The labor and the management of nationalized industry had no interest to take advantage of this opportunity. Using this as a golden opportunity, the industrialists, bureaucrats, and above all corrupt army declared him as an unsuccessful leader. Bhutto loved poor and poor loved Bhutto. This relationship is ever lasting. The first leader who legislated labor laws and enforced in Pakistan and nobody could do it till now. This is the reason of his popularity among labors. He tried to unite the Islamic world. The Pakistan is still under developing country because Bhutto is not alive.

Z.A Bhutto is the first person in Pakistan who has given the voice to the common people. Z.A Bhutto was great charismatic leader, man of masses, top class negotiator, excellent communicator, a visionary, known for mercurial brilliance, wit and a highly well read person. He attracted mammoth crowds where ever he addressed public meetings even in remote regions of the country. He was a man of masses because of his personal charm and charisma and the one who spoke in the language of workers, laborers, peasants and the people in the streets. He would make the people feel that he was one of them, understood them, had solutions to their problems and give them roti, kapra aur makan. He might have given all these things to them if his government had not become target of the establishment's conspiracies.

ZA Bhutto's Powerful Political Legacy Cannot be eliminated. In no time Bhutto had made a tremendous impact all around. As Minister for Fuel and Power, he had diverse explorers tapping into Pakistan's underground hidden energy resources. For the first time Russians were involved in oil and gas exploration. His time as Minister for Science and Technology was well spent. He could measure the advancements made by India in the atomic field. I can't help grieving the tragic death of a Hero who paid with his life to set an ultimate example of principled politics. I hope we honor Shaheed Bhutto by giving to the weak and less fortunate people of Pakistan the gift of unconditional empowerment through democracy and moral governance and not trade his dream for our illusions. Bourgeois battled Bhutto's populist economic and political enforcement, the bourgeois and the petty-bourgeois became ready instruments in carrying out their social propaganda against Bhutto. He was the man behind introducing democracy in the country by kicking out the dictatorial rule and finally gave a consensus constitution of 1973 with guarantees to basic human rights under the supremacy of parliament. Cruel dictators like Zia and Musharraf are responsible for bringing fundamentalists into the corridor of power, Mush, who is now trumping against them just an eye wash. Political Leaders must posses' qualities of power, vision, ethics, courage, knowledge, decision making, integrity, enthusiasms and devotion and should have principles, Z.A BHUTTO had all those qualities.

Mr. Bhutto lived consciously to make history and to leave a legacy in the form of the development of his nation. He is right credited with saving Pakistan at the darkest moment of its history, as French President Giscardd' Estaing said he was the man,'' who incarnated Pakistan at a dramatic hour of its history''.

Z A BHUTTO was indeed a great leader, a leader we must salute today; who gave voice to the voiceless and helped them shape their own destiny. It was under his leadership that every Pakistani given the right to passport. Education was nationalized and made available to every child. Scores of Universities were built to turn the children of the discriminated and downtrodden into lawyers, doctors and engineers liberating them from a destiny of backwardness. Bhutto pushed politics out of the posh drawing rooms into real Pakistan-into the muddy lanes and villages of the poor. The ever-lasting contribution of Bhutto was to raise the consciousness of the people for democracy. He awakened the masses, making them realize they were the legitimate fountainhead of political power. He enlightened the peasants, the industrial workers, the students, the women and the rest of the common people of their importance and of their right of franchise, which is the definite means of bringing changes and improvement in the lives of the common people. He deeply cherished democracy and democratic values and in the end gave his life for the cause of freedom. In the case of Pakistan, he viewed military rule as a negation of the very genesis of the country that came into being as a result of a democratic process and a vote. Today as the Nation pays tribute to one of its greatest sons; it is destined to move forward in the spirit of Federalism, Democracy, Autonomy and Egalitarianism which he lit through his example of courage in the defense of principles and ideals. Z.A BHUTTO was a people leader, a legend and a poet and he remained so till the last breath in his body. He was a true revolutionary; his revolution was against imperialism, against bourgeois. He was a charismatic leader and his charisma still rules the nation.

Z.A Bhutto ruled the hearts of people when he was alive and till date he rules their hearts.

Z.A Bhutto was a principled friend to the poor, downtrodden and oppressed. He was fearless in his beliefs and refused to bow before any man or power other than the Almighty. His contributions to an impregnable Pakistan are seen in the Kamra Aeronautical factory, Heavy Mechanical Complex at Taxila, modernization of Karachi Shipyard, creation of precision engineering works, Pakistan Steel Mills, Port Qasim, Pakistan Automobile Corporation to name a few. By signing the Simla Accord of 1972 he negotiated longest peace between India and Pakistan. His social reforms laid the foundation of an egalitarian society, his non-aligned foreign policy earned Pakistan respect in the comity of nations. He lifted the nation drowning in a sea of despair to Himalayan heights. The death cell in which his killers kept him failed to break his will or his determination to challenge military rule and stand up as the leader of the people. Bhutto was a modernizer and saw nationalism as the key to unity. He rejected fanaticism. He gave pride to the poor.

As leader of the Third World he spoke boldly against racism, colonialism and imperialism. He fearlessly defended the right of nations to independence. When the 1973 Ramadan War broke out, he sent Pakistan's military to defend the borders of the Muslim countries including the Golan Heights of Syria. Bhutto's short life of fifty years was spent in the service of many international, regional and national causes. Today Pakistan is at the crossroads. Its policies relating to Nuclear, Taliban, India, Militancy, Religious Parties, Democracy and Economy are in shambles. Shaheed Bhutto believed that the army could protect its institutional competence by keeping out of politics. He said, "Those soldiers who leave the barracks to move into Government mansions lose wars and become prisoners of war as happened in 1971; his words reverberate as a warning and a guide to the country to save its honor, respect, pride and position by reverting to the golden principles that gave it birth.

Z.A Bhutto was born in 1928. He was martyred in 1979. Yet he lives in the hearts and minds of the people still shining like a star that brightens the sky motivating those caught in the prisons of oppression. No doubt, the age of Bhutto was an age of revolution. At the time of his over throw; Bhutto was emerging as a spokesman of the world of Islam and the leader of the third world. Although his life and political career were cruelly terminated, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto will always be remembered as one of the great leaders who took part in the liberation of the third world from the yoke of Imperialism and Neo Colonialism during the twentieth century.

"It is better to live like a lion for one day than to live like a jackal for a thousand." Z.A.BHUTTO''. Long Live Bhuttoism!

کل بھی بھٹو زندہ تھا آج بھی بھٹو زندہ ہے..

2024-04-04T06:55:00.000-04:00

کل بھی بھٹو زندہ تھا آج بھی بھٹو زندہ ہے..

2023-12-30T14:29:00.002-05:00

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Population Growth and Pakistan's Demographic Challenge: Navigating the Societal Imperatives

2023-08-05T15:16:00.001-04:00

By M Waqar

Pakistan, a nation grappling with multifaceted challenges, confronts a critical concern that demands meticulous scrutiny and strategic resolution: population growth. This essay explores the intricate interplay between population growth and Pakistan's socio-cultural landscape, emphasizing the significance of comprehensive sex education and the cultivation of critical thinking as indispensable cornerstones for the country's progress.

Comprehensive Sex Education: A Broader Horizon:

Sex education, often misconstrued as solely pertaining to intimate relationships, transcends its narrow connotation within the Pakistani societal discourse. The broader purview encompasses pivotal aspects like disease prevention and effective birth control strategies. However, regrettably, this nuanced understanding remains elusive in the prevailing discussions. A recalibration of this discourse is essential. By channeling attention towards fostering healthy relationships and empowering informed decision-making to avert health risks, sex education becomes an instrumental catalyst for equipping individuals with the knowledge imperative for healthier lives.

Confronting Misconceptions and Cultivating Responsibility:

Within the tapestry of Pakistani society, a distinctive concern manifests: certain segments, particularly men ensnared by sexual frustration, display a hesitance towards contemplating solutions such as vasectomy. This surgical measure presents a pragmatic avenue to curtail the escalating menace of unbridled population expansion. However, entrenched societal norms and perceptions act as deterrents, underscoring the urgency for broader awareness campaigns and destigmatization efforts. Facilitating candid dialogues that dismantle misapprehensions is essential to facilitate a well-informed populace capable of embracing responsible family planning.

Elite Influence and Educational Paradigms:

An introspective lens also exposes the role of Pakistani elites and institutional dynamics. Delegating educational oversight to external entities, exemplified by Saudi Arabia's imprint through a plethora of madrassas, reverberates in the contours of the nation's intellectual evolution. Striking a harmonious equilibrium between religious instruction and a holistic, evidence-driven educational framework emerges as a critical mandate. This balance is pivotal in nurturing the cognitive acumen of Pakistan's burgeoning youth and cultivating the seeds of critical thinking in their intellectual soil.

Unweaving the Fabric of Unexamined Beliefs:

A noteworthy paradox emerges from the fusion of religion with daily life, where spirituality, while offering moral guidance, risks impeding the nation's advancement. A recalibration of religious practices is imperative, one that amalgamates modern knowledge and scientific progress. This recalibration fosters a nuanced, discerning approach to spirituality, pivotal for engendering a society adaptable and resilient in the face of a swiftly evolving world.

The challenges posed by limited sex education and the deficit in critical thinking emerge as pivotal crossroads in Pakistan's voyage towards societal development. The recalibration of sex education to encompass health protection and prudent family planning, coupled with a candid reexamination of prevailing norms regarding measures like vasectomy, are integral steps towards steering the nation onto a trajectory of progress. Moreover, a holistic educational approach, bolstered by critical thinking cultivation and a judicious fusion of religious tenets with modernity, promises to be the lodestar guiding Pakistan toward a future marked by enlightenment and advancement.

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#Pakistan- FM Bilawal to reach #Iraq on three-day visit

2023-06-04T17:16:00.002-04:00

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will reach Iraq on a three-day visit on Monday, ARY News reported.

During his visit, FM Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will meet his Iraqi counterpart. The foreign minister will also visit the holy sites along with the party leaders.

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) central and provincial leaders have also reached Najaf – Iraq. The leaders include Faisal Karim Kundi, Sharjeel Memon, Nasir Hussain Shah, Nadeem Afzal Chan, Mukesh Chawla, Qasim Naveed Qamar.

Earlier, the Foreign Office (FO) said that FM Bilawal will meet with Iraqi leadership and hold a detailed meeting with his counterpart during the visit. Important agreements will also be signed during the visit.

FM Bilawal is undertaking this visit at the invitation of the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Iraq, Dr. Fuad Hussein.

Pakistan: 57 Blasphemy Cases Reported In 2023; Two Christian Teenagers Charged, Jailed In Lahore – OpEd

2023-06-04T16:27:00.003-04:00

By Kashif Nawab

Two Christian teenagers identified as Adil Baber and Simon Masih have been accused of blasphemy in Lahore, Pakistan. The allegations were leveled against them by the Police constable Zahid Sohail, soon after he had indulged in an altercation with the young accusers on the May 28.

According to the registered First Information Report (FIR) No 902/23, Sohail alleged that the boys uttered blasphemous remarks against the Holy Name of the Prophet Muhammad while he was walking to a mosque for prayer. Adil Baber is eighteen years old, and Simon Masih is fourteen years old.

The families of the accused vehemently deny the allegations, asserting that this is the result of a personal dispute between the two boys and Sohail, as they had a previous altercation. Moreover, the families argue that during the initial confrontation, witnesses present at the scene demanded evidence to substantiate the claims, but none was reportedly provided at the time of the arrest.

While demanding a free trial, the family is urging authorities to address their concerns about the fairness and objectivity of the investigation process, with questions surrounding the potential bias given that the accuser is also a police officer.

As per the statistics shared by the Center for Social Justice (CSJ) and Peoples’ Commission for Minorities Rights (PCMR), at least 57 cases of alleged blasphemy have been registered in Pakistan from January to May 2023. The highest number of blasphemy cases, 28 in total, were reported in Punjab. Sindh followed with 16 cases, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded eight cases, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir reported five.

Human Rights activist Joseph Jansen and chairperson of Voice for Justice, condemned the incident, adding that the increase in the misuse of the blasphemy laws and its use as a retaliation act to settle personal disputes must be stopped, as numerous people languish in prisons for years until the courts finally realize the miscarriage of justice and set them free.

A fair trial is the right of every citizen guaranteed in the constitution of Pakistan, and the protection of accusers until proven guilty is the responsibility of the state. Jansen further asked for a proactive response from the authorities to safeguard the young boys and their families during and after the legal proceedings, as such fabricated accusations often lead to the climate of mob violence and vigilante justice targeting religious minorities.

Suggesting the government and authorities, Jansen stressed the need for the engagement of all-important stakeholders to set up a platform for the generation of collective wisdom, which can preempt further incidents of this nature.

The Head of Voice of Justice Pakistan also expressed that the authorities should take serious action against individuals making baseless allegations for personal gains over personal vendettas, as the blasphemy laws have a significant impact on religious faith communities, particularly curbing their right to speech, life, and freedom of religion.

Jansen called upon the government to uphold the rule of law and ensure the safety and protection of all individuals, regardless of their religious beliefs.

The 2023 annual report of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom underscores the increasing helplessness of the religious minorities towards the prosecution and violence that is based on the incorrect blasphemy allegations in Pakistan and reported it as a major contributor to the intolerance for the religious diversity in the country. Blasphemy cases continue to pose a significant threat to religious freedom, often accompanied by mob violence, stated the report

The Commission report also underlines the weaponization of blasphemy laws in Pakistan by the mainstream politicians to gain political mileage against each other’s rivals. The report noted that the new government under Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif also leveled the blasphemy allegations against former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his cabinet members, to make them a target.

Pointing to the vulnerability of the religious minorities, the report cited the case of Notan Lal as an example, who was the owner and Principal of a school in Ghotki, Sindh, and who was sentenced to life imprisonment for allegedly committing blasphemy. The report also highlights the case of Muhammad Mushtaq, a mentally ill man accused of burning the Holy Quran, who was stoned to death by an angry mob in the Punjab Province. These incidents quoted in the report illustrate the ongoing challenges faced by religious minorities last year and stressed the need for the greater protection of religious freedom in Pakistan.

Human Rights Defender Zara Amoon Gill, noted the increase in the misapplication and inappropriate use of this law as a tool to suppress marginalized sections of the society by radicals clearly reflects upon the rising extremism in the country.

Responding to the documentation and reporting of such cases by the global Human Rights watchdogs, she urged the authorities to wisely respond to this pressing issue with considerable and proactive measures, by using both of ideological and repressive state apparatuses to further develop a softer image of the country on global fronts.

In addition, Gill suggested that a collective effort is required to overcome the challenges that are erupting due to the raging extremism in the nation. We all as citizens share equal responsibility to play our individual role for social change, she said.

“As a responsible and tolerant citizen, we must discourage the social injustice rooted in radicalism and leading to anarchism”, Gill said.

According to data collected by the Center for Social Justice, since 1994, at least 92 individuals have lost their lives in incidents related to religious offenses. Among the victims, 50 were Muslims, 23 were Christians, 14 were Ahmadis, two were Hindus, one was Buddhist, and the religious affiliation of two other individuals could not be determined. These statistics shed light on the ongoing prevalence of blasphemy accusations and the grave consequences that they can have on individuals in Pakistan.

https://www.eurasiareview.com/04062023-pakistan-57-blasphemy-cases-reported-in-2023-two-christian-teenagers-charged-jailed-in-lahore-oped/

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