The tale of Nusrat Bhutto’s historic voyage

[Neo]

The tale of Nusrat Bhutto’s historic voyage

By Raja Riaz

LAHORE: Let’s know the detail of Begum Nusrat Bhutto’s travel from Karachi to Punjab capital in 1981, a date when she announced to form Movement for Restoration of Democracy (MRD), the first political alliance against the dictator, Ziaul Haq, to get the country back on the track of constitution and rule of law.

The story of her arrival at the meeting place - the house of the late Mian Mehmood Ali Kasuri at Fane Road, in a ‘burqa’, but only a few know how and who made possible her arrival in Lahore from Karachi.

Advocate Zahid Chaudhry, who not only planned, materialised and accompanied the ‘first lady’ throughout the voyage, tells the story.

The PPP leadership decided to form an anti-martial law alliance and start struggle for the restoration of democracy and woo other political parties to join. The meeting was held secretly at the House of Dr Mubashar Hassan that was attended by political figures and representatives of different entities.

Dr Mubashar Hassan, Asghar Khan, Mian Mehmood Ali Kasuri, Khawaja Khairud Din, Malik Qasim, Begum Naseem Wali Khan, Maulana Fazlur Rahman and some others were there with the view that the alliance could not get worth until Begum Nusrat Bhutto announced it but the major obstacle was that she was under house arrest at 70-Clifton, Karachi, and her arrival in Lahore was next to impossible. “I told them that I have a plan to bring Begum Sahiba to Lahore. There was a big laughter but I insisted that I can do the job.”

Participants of the meeting dispersed when Dr Mubashar Hasan called me and asked for the plan that I told him. Dr Mubashar Hasan allowed me to make a try but not to tell anybody, even the leader of any political party,” recalls Advocate Zahid Chaudhry.

“On 25 February, 1981, I went to Karachi and a message was sent to Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s first wife, Ameeri Begum, consisting of details of the plan. Ameeri Begum was a highly respected lady and always wore ‘burqa’ and never came out of the house with open face.

She went to meet Nusrat Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto in her traditional outlook in her car. The gates were opened by the authorities and she went in. “After some hours ‘she’ came out and the car went to the hospital of Dr Abdul Ghaffar Jatoi, the brother of close aide of Bhutto, Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi,” tells Advocate Chaudhry. In fact, the burqa-clad lady who went into the sub-jail, 70 Clifton, was Ameeri Begum but the lady who came out in the ‘burqa’ was Begum Nusrat Bhutto.

She had only one servant with him of the age of hardly 15. Begum Sahiba changed burqa there. Now she wore a shuttlecock veil (burqa), took two boxes and her two teenaged sons Zahid and the servant and reached the railway station, bought AC Parlor tickets of Shalimar Train and got boarded. The train left the platform at 10:30 am.

“No body except guard of the train, a very sincere worker of the party and fan of Bhutto, had knowledge that Begum Sahiba was travelling in the train.

“Begum Sahiba did not take even a glass of water on the way. We were sitting next to her and everybody got an impression that a village lady clad in traditional dress was going to Lahore with her two children,” recalls Advocate Chaudhry. Benazir Bhutto passed on a message on to Dr Mubashar Hassan—“I am sending fruit for you by air. Please receive it at the airport.” It was a coded message and the word ‘fruit’ was for Begum Bhutto while ‘by air’ stood for train.

The train arrived at Lahore station’s platform in the middle of the night –12:30, and five people - Chaudhry Ghulam Qadir, then PPP city chapter president, NPT Chairman Sheikh Hamid Mehmood, his wife Dr Razia Mehmood, Manzoor Malik Advocate and Mian Ehsanul Haq reached at the station to receive her.

Begum Sahiba disliked Ehsanul Haq’s presence. Wearing same ‘shuttlecock veil’, Begum Sahiba rode in the car with Dr Razia Mehmood that took her to a place somewhere in Cavalry Ground. She was asked to have rest but she refused and asked for a typewriter. Advocate Zahid arranged a small typewriter and she started typing without having any thing expect a cup of tea.

She completed her work at around 3:00am. The message of her arrival had been conveyed to the MRD leaders who had gathered at Scotch Corner, Upper Mall.

At 3:30am, she was taken to that place and the meeting decided to launch the MRD in the morning. All the leaders signed the MRD declaration that had been typed by Begum Sahiba on a small type-writer about two hours ago and the alliance came into being. She was shifted again to some place in Cavalry Ground area.

The MRD leaders decided to launch the alliance formally and the venue set for the launching was the house of Mehmood Ali Kasuri at Fane Road. The leaders announced a press conference at 4:00 pm. Now was the stage of bringing her at that place. *

It was decided that none from the political parties will go with her. *

Begum Sahiba took the servant, Zahid and Dr Razia Mehmood with her, hired a private taxi and started moving to the venue. The taxi travelled through GOR, Lawrence Road, Chowk Safanwala and Mozang Adda to reach the destination. She reached at the place and the press conference was about to start when Inspector Ikramullah Khan Niazi reached at Mehmood Kasuri’s house.

He said we have reports that Begum Nusrat Bhutto is here and would address the press conference. The press conference was about to start when heavy contingents of police headed by DIG Jehanzeb Burki reached there. Begum Bhutto came out and started media talk. The police tried to get Begum Sahiba into a truck but she resisted. Then the DIG took her in his own vehicle. “Begum Sahiba was a very kind lady and took care of her workers. Even at that time she said to journalists please send my servant back to Karachi,” Advocate Zahid remembers that day.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

[Neo]

Begum Nusrat Bhutto — We salute you

By Farahnaz Ispahani

The political history of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has been one of relentless and unyielding struggle to restore democracy in Pakistan in the face of overwhelming resistance by the forces of tyranny and dictatorship.

Though this history is rich with the stories of strong and courageous individuals, any history of the PPP, or that of democracy in Pakistan more broadly, would be incomplete without recognizing the pivotal role played by Begum Nusrat Bhutto.

Begum Bhutto was not of the usual mould. She was a highly determined woman who refused to give up her mission to lead her nation towards democracy in spite of the brutal oppression suffered not only by her, her children and her larger family of the PPP, but, indeed, by all of Pakistan. She played a vital role in the empowerment of Pakistani women, both as first lady during the government of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Shaheed, and later as a senior member of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s cabinet.

Born Nusrat Ispahani, the young woman from an Iranian Pakistani family who grew to love her adopted country, rests today in the soil of Sindh.

Begum Nusrat Bhutto’s political role does not start with Ziaul Haq, but it was during his rule that her determination was forged of an unbreakable iron. With her eldest daughter, Benazir, Begum Bhutto fought fearlessly to save her husband, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, whose life was stolen by the most vicious military dictator in our nation’s history; a dictator who denounced democracy, abrogated the constitution, cynically toyed with religion, and denied the basic rights of the people.

Too strong to be easily intimidated, Begum Nusrat Bhutto was motivated by the depth of Zia’s tyranny, and she put her heart and soul into the fight for the restoration of democracy, the Constitution and basic human rights. She stood steadfast against a usurper and dictator not out of any desire for personal gain, but out of an unwavering dedication to her principles.

Many were intimidated by Gen Ziaul Haq and quickly acquiesced in his rule; but for Begum Nusrat Bhutto there was never a moment of doubt. The fundamental rights of the Pakistani people could not be sacrificed at the altar of dictatorship.

Dubbed “the Iron Lady of Pakistan”, Begum Bhutto was the backbone of the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy (MRD) – a coalition comprising PPP and other democratic political parties determined to restore the democratic order on which Pakistan was founded.

Today, Begum Nusrat Bhutto serves as a role model for Pakistan’s democratic political leaders.

For women, too, both in Pakistan and around the world, Begum Nusrat Bhutto is a role model.

We recall the time when many men surrendered before the threat of a dictator’s military strength. And we recall too that at this critical juncture in our nation’s history, it was a woman, Nusrat Bhutto, who refused to remain silent. We watched closely as she and her daughter, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, demonstrated a rare strength of character and dedication to principles.

Our hearts broke as these strong women courageously bore the pain of losing their husband and father, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, and their son and brother, Shahnawaz Bhutto, during Zia’s tyrannical rule.

Having already sacrificed more than any mother should be asked to, Begum Bhutto soon lost her elder son Mir Murtaza Bhutto as well, followed by the martyrdom of her daughter Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. She is survived by her daughter Sanam Bhutto and her grandchildren.

We must also remember that, prior to the government of Z A Bhutto Shaheed, women had very restricted rights in Pakistan. The Bhuttos helped change this by raising the status of women in Pakistan – progress that could not have been achieved without Begum Nusrat Bhutto’s exceptional interest in women’s empowerment.

Demanding recognition of the worth of women, Begum Bhutto once said, “Women here (in Pakistan) are treated like pieces of furniture...[but] we are human beings, and we should be heard.” She believed women should play a decisive role in the affairs of their country, helping to make Pakistan a stronger and more progressive state.

Begum Nusrat Bhutto proved to Pakistan’s women that a woman was capable of much more than what our society defines and teaches them, or perhaps even expects of them. She inspired and helped to guide Pakistan’s women out of the darkness of ignorance towards the light of emancipation.

As a mother she gave the nation brave and well-educated children who knew the virtues of sacrificing for principles and of giving a voice to the poor and oppressed.

With her husband and her children, she chose a life of sacrifice and discomfort over luxurious living so as not to betray her nation by bowing before tyrants and surrendering democracy. She watched with pride as her children led the nation in the fight for democracy, even sacrificing their lives for Pakistan and its people.

As a political role model, she not only kept the mission of Z. A. Bhutto Shaheed alive but also consolidated the PPP for the cause of democracy. As a woman, she set an example that a woman in Pakistan is not a piece of furniture, but can be a motivated champion of democracy and human rights.

Today, people from all over Pakistan, the region and the world honour her life and remember her services and sacrifices in the cause of democracy.

She has left behind orphans in the millions of Pakistanis who, from the far flung tribal area of Parachinar to the mountainous areas of Gilgit Baltistan and Skardu, to the seashore of Karachi, call her “Mother”. Her life serves as a guide for how to stand up for the principles of democracy and human rights.

Begum Nusrat Bhutto will always be remembered as the “Mother of Democracy” who taught us that when the cause of your country so demands, we must be willing to sacrifice wealth, comfort, and even our lives.

One of the most elegant women I have ever had the privilege to know, Begum Nusrat Bhutto was the embodiment of courage, beauty and grace.

May her soul rest in peace.

The writer is a Member of the National Assembly and Media Advisor to the Co-chairman PPP

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

[Neo]

Nusrat Bhutto: a symbol of struggle for democracy

By Farzana Raja

A remarkable chapter of country’s political history and the struggle for a democratic Pakistan has ended with the sudden and sad demise of late Mohtarma Nusrat Bhutto. The legendary Mohtarma Nusrat Bhutto was not only the wife of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the first elected prime minister of Pakistan and the mother of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, first women prime minister of Islamic World, but she was and is a symbol of struggle against the most brutal tyranny and revival of democracy to safeguard the rights of the people of Pakistan. After Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, she cared the nation as a mother. Mohtarma Nusrat Bhutto fought against the dictator for the sake of the democracy and people of Pakistan.

Being the first lady of Pakistan, Mohtarma Nusrat Bhutto always remained on forefront in serving the poor and destitute of the country. As a matter of the fact, she remained a driving force behind the launching of various pro-people and pro-poor policies during the democratic government of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. After the ouster the democratic government of ‘Quaid-e-Awam’ by a military dictator, Mohtarma Nusrat Bhutto faced all sort of sufferings with a tremendous courage and epic spirit. At one hand, she had to struggle for the life of her great husband and at other; she had to confront with the brute force of martial law regime.

Earlier, during the democratic era of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, it was the visionary Mohtarma Nusrat Bhutto who organised the PPP’s Women’s Wing as a powerful political force as well as the voice of the women. Very few are aware of her dynamic role in organising the 1974 Islamic Summit Conference in Lahore. She did not stop playing her active role in the politics despite the various oppressive tools used by martial law regime to break her spirit. After the Shahdat of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1979, it was Mohtarma Nusrat Bhutto who reinforced the spirit of the party workers by assuming the leadership as the Chairperson of Pakistan Peoples Party.

It was the time when a military dictator was hell bent to eliminate Pakistan Peoples Party, the party of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto but Begum Sahiba stood like a rock to foil these evil designs of the tyrant. She initiated a phenomenal struggle for the restoration of democracy in Pakistan and remained on the forefront while establishing and running the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy (MRD). The oppression and cruelty committed on people by martial law regime knew no bounds. The regime took Mohtarma Nustrat Bhutto as a big threat so she was imprisoned to stifle her struggle for democracy. These were the testing hours for the loyal and committed workers of Pakistan Peoples Party and many of them were lashed while some were even hanged publicly. In the face of this ruthless autocracy and unjust sentences like flogging and torture, many so-called big leaders resorted to seek asylum abroad. The military regime could have been succeeded in its design to crush and eliminate Pakistan Peoples Party had it not been Mohtarma Nusrat Bhutto to keep the flag of democratic struggle flying high.

During this marathon struggle for the revival of democracy and to end the brutal martial law regime, Mohtarma Nusrat Bhutto was not only imprisoned but also beaten up harshly by the goons of the regime but she carried on with this historic struggle accompanied by her brave daughter, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. In 1982, she was diagnosed with cancer but this severe illness could not weaken her resolve and she continued her political work from abroad while providing full moral support and guidance to her daughter, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. In 1985, it was Begum Bhutto again who decided to boycott the elections under Gen Zia-ul-Haq and manage to gather the support of other major political forces of the time. Hence, the so-called elections were left with no credibility.

Begum Sahiba had to face unprecedented grief even after bearing the Shahdat of her husband. During her battle with martial law regime, she had to battle with cancer and then she lost her dearest and youngest son Shahnawaz. She was imprisoned and exiled but still carried out the mission of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. No one can even comprehend the intensity of the pain she would have been suffered as she had to face the loss of her other son when the forces of darkness killed Mir Murtaza Bhutto. Her health deteriorated rapidly after the death of Mir Murtaza Bhutto and she was never been able to recover again till the fateful day of October 23, 2011, when she breathed her last.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

[KayShah]

Brave women generated Brave family..!