THEN CAME BHUTTO'S DAUGHTER: THE DEATH OF BENAZIR AND CONSPIRACY THEORIES SURROUNDING HER HUSBAND
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| Benazir Bhutto |
December 27, 2007 CE was the second blackest day in the history of Pakistan's People's Party - second of the two traditional political corporations in Islamic Republic of Pakistan - after the hanging of the party's founder Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto on April 4, 1979 CE. On December 27, Benazir Bhutto, Zulfiqar Ali's daughter and successor, and the chairperson of PPP, was shot dead by a terrorist seconds before his suicide attack on her convoy at Rawalpindi (Pakistan) took multiple lives. Both Zulfiqar and Benazir died during the reigns of dictators; first dictator was General Zia, the man who usurped the country and replaced democracy with military-imposed Islamic fanaticism, while the second dictator was General (R) Musharraf, the man who ousted Benazir's ex-rival Nawaz Sharif and replaced democracy with military-imposed Islamic liberalism.
But this blog is not an eulogy in remembrance of Shaheed Bibi (Lady Martyr). This blog is a criticism of the (world's fourth and) only female Prime Minister in the history of Pakistan who, not unlike her father, was a narcissistic and charismatic leader who knew how to control people and manipulate their emotions for personal advantage. Moreover, she was a corrupt politician. Just because she died tragically (and possibly as the result of a plot conspired by those close to her), doesn't mean we can't bring out some arguments against her on political basis. Doubtlessly, had she lived to become the Prime Minister of Pakistan (again) instead of Zardari's boot-licker Gilani, she would've created a better image of our country. But her previous two governments were terminated on corruption charges (and the second one was dismissed because of her brother's murder as well). How do we know she wouldn't have committed the same crimes again had she become PM for the third time?
But this blog is not an eulogy in remembrance of Shaheed Bibi (Lady Martyr). This blog is a criticism of the (world's fourth and) only female Prime Minister in the history of Pakistan who, not unlike her father, was a narcissistic and charismatic leader who knew how to control people and manipulate their emotions for personal advantage. Moreover, she was a corrupt politician. Just because she died tragically (and possibly as the result of a plot conspired by those close to her), doesn't mean we can't bring out some arguments against her on political basis. Doubtlessly, had she lived to become the Prime Minister of Pakistan (again) instead of Zardari's boot-licker Gilani, she would've created a better image of our country. But her previous two governments were terminated on corruption charges (and the second one was dismissed because of her brother's murder as well). How do we know she wouldn't have committed the same crimes again had she become PM for the third time?
Let us first discuss some briefs about Benazir. After the hanging of her father (Bhutto was executed for orchestrating the assassination of a rival politician), she returned from her banishment during Zia's final years. Her brothers Shahnawaz and Murtuza sought a militant way to counter Zia's oppressions. They founded Al-Zulfiqar to operate terrorism against Pakistan. But Shahnawaz died in Paris and Bhutto accused her wife of organizing the murder. She became the third Prime Minister of Pakistan under President Ghulam Ishaq Khan after President Zia's C-137 mysteriously crashed at Bahawalpur on August 18, 1988 CE. Khan dissolved the assemblies and terminated her government on corruption charges. Nawaz Sharif, Zia's successor, became the Prime Minister for the first time. After his government was dissolved too, Benazir emerged again as the most popular Pakistani leader for the second time. She served her second term as the PM.
During her first tenure, the relations between Bhutto and her mother Nusrat Ispahani became strained when she removed her from the position of PPP's honorary chairperson. During her second term, her brother Murtaza became aggressive towards Zardari whom he held responsible for mass corruption by misusing his status as the PM's husband. It is reported that Murtaza had hung Zardari's portrait inside his guest toilet room. He once invited the wretched husband at his house and forcibly shaved his mustache as a sign of dishonor among Sindhi-Baloch tribes. Murtuza was ambushed and killed. His supporters and even his mother Nusrat held Bhutto's government of assassinating Murtaza. Whether she did it or not, she had to pay a huge fine for the killing of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's last male child.
During her first tenure, the relations between Bhutto and her mother Nusrat Ispahani became strained when she removed her from the position of PPP's honorary chairperson. During her second term, her brother Murtaza became aggressive towards Zardari whom he held responsible for mass corruption by misusing his status as the PM's husband. It is reported that Murtaza had hung Zardari's portrait inside his guest toilet room. He once invited the wretched husband at his house and forcibly shaved his mustache as a sign of dishonor among Sindhi-Baloch tribes. Murtuza was ambushed and killed. His supporters and even his mother Nusrat held Bhutto's government of assassinating Murtaza. Whether she did it or not, she had to pay a huge fine for the killing of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's last male child.
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| Zardari is sitting on the right (as you can obviously see, duh!) |
Benazir's own President Sardar Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari dissolved the assemblies on the charges of corruption and Murtaza's murder. Zardari was prosecuted for money laundering and sent to jail where he remaind until Musharraf, as a gesture of friendship, released him in 2004 CE. Benazir was also sentenced to serve in gaol but she fled to Emirates where the King was friendly towards the Bhutto corporation. She resided in Dubai with her three children: Bilawal, Bakhtawar and Asifah. In 2004 CE, Zardari joined her too. But he was barred from being active in the politics.
After Benazir regime's second dismissal, Nawaz became the PM for the second time. But he tried to take over the army (by imposing Zia Butt his own Army Chief). The army, enraged, deposed Sharif while the actual Army Chief Pervez Musharraf was sitting inside an airplane. Musharraf became the CE of Pakistan and later the President (in 2002 CE).
Musharraf had a strict policy regarding the three most famous democratic leaders of Pakistan. Benazir Bhutto of PPP, Nawaz Sharif of PML(N) and Altaf Hussain of MQM was left exiled. Bhutto and Sharif actually had to leave Pakistan - former had to leave because he didn't want to face prison and the latter had to leave because Musharraf wanted to never to enter Pakistani politics again - while Altaf was already in London since 1992 CE military operation in Karachi against MQM. It was once jokingly said that Musharraf had created NAB (National Accountability Bureau) to limit the political activities of Nawaz, Altaf and Benazir.
After Benazir regime's second dismissal, Nawaz became the PM for the second time. But he tried to take over the army (by imposing Zia Butt his own Army Chief). The army, enraged, deposed Sharif while the actual Army Chief Pervez Musharraf was sitting inside an airplane. Musharraf became the CE of Pakistan and later the President (in 2002 CE).
Musharraf had a strict policy regarding the three most famous democratic leaders of Pakistan. Benazir Bhutto of PPP, Nawaz Sharif of PML(N) and Altaf Hussain of MQM was left exiled. Bhutto and Sharif actually had to leave Pakistan - former had to leave because he didn't want to face prison and the latter had to leave because Musharraf wanted to never to enter Pakistani politics again - while Altaf was already in London since 1992 CE military operation in Karachi against MQM. It was once jokingly said that Musharraf had created NAB (National Accountability Bureau) to limit the political activities of Nawaz, Altaf and Benazir.
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| Bhutto in a press conference with Sharif |
Musharraf's regime witnessed the 9/11 Twin Tower attacks after which United States asked (forced, actually) Pakistan for military alliance in their War on Terror. Musharraf had to offer them limited support. Taliban rose against Pakistan and began their series of suicide attacks and bomb blasts in our cities, towns and villages. Pakistani people thought Taliban were performing jihad against United States. They supported Mullah Omar's regime in Afghanistan, calling it an Islamic State. They strongly rejected Pakistani opposition to Taliban. They believed that Pakistan was involved in killing of Muslims. They didn't support the War on Terror because they thought it was a conspiracy to eliminate Islam. Musharraf badly needed to get his subjects on one page on the issue of terrorism. So, he decided to ask Benazir to return to her country and lend him her large following.
In 2006 CE, Benazir and Nawaz signed of the Charter of Democracy in which they agreed never to let their mutual disagreements cause another military takeover of Pakistan. In 2007 CE, Musharraf met Benazir and asked her for her political support.
Musharraf had the future of Pakistan and the threat Taliban's fanaticism posed to Pakistan in his mind. Benazir was more concerned with her personal agenda. She wanted Musharraf to accept her three conditions:
⦁ Resign from the army and rule as a civilian President.
⦁ Remove the ban on third-time Prime Ministry.
⦁ Close all the cases against politicians (NRO)
Musharraf later stated that he had reservations with the third condition because he didn't want to just close all the books and let every politician who was being accused of corruption walk away free with a general amnesty. But his main political ally (and ex-PM) Shujaat (pronounced: Shu-ja-at) Hussain advised him to give everyone a NRO. PPP and PML(N) made the largest beneficiaries of this National Reconciliation Order. MQM declined the President's generous offer. But the NRO was given by Pakistan and received by its politicians.
In 2006 CE, Benazir and Nawaz signed of the Charter of Democracy in which they agreed never to let their mutual disagreements cause another military takeover of Pakistan. In 2007 CE, Musharraf met Benazir and asked her for her political support.
Musharraf had the future of Pakistan and the threat Taliban's fanaticism posed to Pakistan in his mind. Benazir was more concerned with her personal agenda. She wanted Musharraf to accept her three conditions:
⦁ Resign from the army and rule as a civilian President.
⦁ Remove the ban on third-time Prime Ministry.
⦁ Close all the cases against politicians (NRO)
Musharraf later stated that he had reservations with the third condition because he didn't want to just close all the books and let every politician who was being accused of corruption walk away free with a general amnesty. But his main political ally (and ex-PM) Shujaat (pronounced: Shu-ja-at) Hussain advised him to give everyone a NRO. PPP and PML(N) made the largest beneficiaries of this National Reconciliation Order. MQM declined the President's generous offer. But the NRO was given by Pakistan and received by its politicians.
In October of 2007 CE, Bhutto's daughter returned to Pakistan and was welcomed by a blast which claimed 250 lives. Then she planned to lead a rally at Liaquat Bagh (Rawalpindi) where the first PM of Pakistan, Liaquat Ali Khan, was shot on October 16, 1951 CE. Musharraf advised her against another public appearance for he was informed through UAE intelligence that a dangerous conspiracy was being planned against Bhutto's life. But Benazir was no coward (for she had her own bullet-proof car!). Nawaz Sharif also got back for his Musharraf-imposed exile which was actually due to end ten years after it was signed. In November, Musharraf imposed emergency and annulled the constitution. Bhutto and Sharif joined their political weight and forced the ex-military President to revoke the emergency. The world was ready for the elections that were to held in January 2008 CE.
On the wretched day of December 27 (because 150 faithful jiyalas died on that day!), Benazir made her speed at Liaquat Bagh. She was sitting in her bulletproof and bombproof car (constructed on the orders of Zulfiqar Mirza). Amazingly, the car had a sky-roof (or an escape hatch, I'm not sure)! On her way back, the car was surrounded by her own security composed of the party workers. The circle of personal security was further surrounded by police personnel. The people who accompanied her on her death journey testify that, just before her murder, she received a phone-call from (supposedly her husband). While still on phone and engaged with a conversation with the person who'd called her, she pulled her head out of the escape hatch to wave at her supporters. Then a murderer shot her and then blasted himself with the help of his suicide jacket containing ball-bearings. It is also speculated how the assassin made his way through two security circles! The people riding inside the car further relate how Benazir simply fell down after getting shot in the head. All other passengers remained unharmed. No record of that call could be revealed because the Blackberry she possessed went missing. It was found six months after her death (from Bilawal House where Zardari resided) when it'd become impossible to extract caller information from that phone. Her autopsy was also not permitted by Zardari and later he also refused to exhume the corpse. Conspiracy theorists maintain that it was her husband who had called him and, luring her into waving at her daughter Bakhtawar who was watching Benazir on television, fooled her out into the open so the assassin could do his job.
On the wretched day of December 27 (because 150 faithful jiyalas died on that day!), Benazir made her speed at Liaquat Bagh. She was sitting in her bulletproof and bombproof car (constructed on the orders of Zulfiqar Mirza). Amazingly, the car had a sky-roof (or an escape hatch, I'm not sure)! On her way back, the car was surrounded by her own security composed of the party workers. The circle of personal security was further surrounded by police personnel. The people who accompanied her on her death journey testify that, just before her murder, she received a phone-call from (supposedly her husband). While still on phone and engaged with a conversation with the person who'd called her, she pulled her head out of the escape hatch to wave at her supporters. Then a murderer shot her and then blasted himself with the help of his suicide jacket containing ball-bearings. It is also speculated how the assassin made his way through two security circles! The people riding inside the car further relate how Benazir simply fell down after getting shot in the head. All other passengers remained unharmed. No record of that call could be revealed because the Blackberry she possessed went missing. It was found six months after her death (from Bilawal House where Zardari resided) when it'd become impossible to extract caller information from that phone. Her autopsy was also not permitted by Zardari and later he also refused to exhume the corpse. Conspiracy theorists maintain that it was her husband who had called him and, luring her into waving at her daughter Bakhtawar who was watching Benazir on television, fooled her out into the open so the assassin could do his job.
Zardari served as the President for five years but no complete investigation on Benazir's murder could be held. Both Musharraf and Zardari asked international bodies (Scotland Yard and United Nations respectively) but the reports always ended up hinting at mysterious and unsolved dilemmas. The UN report shall be discussed later. PPP holds Musharraf responsible for her murder because the police had washed the crime scene on his explicit orders. Musharraf, on the other hand, excuses that the crime scene was inciting people to create insurgency. It is a fact that, after Bhutto's murder was confirmed on television (it took several hours), her rioting supporters began to wander in streets, breaking into shops, damaging private property, looting others and use her assassination as an excuse to create chaos.
Zardari further claimed that Baitullah Mehsud, the leader of the Pakistani Taliban, was the leader who had planned Benazir's murder. After his death in a drone attack, Zardari expressed his satisfaction. But he and his son Bilawal (Benazir's successor as PPP's chairperson) still blame Musharraf for being the prime suspect in Benazir's murder case.
The UN commission that arrived especially on the behest of Zardari's government to investigate the murder of Benazir consisted of three members. They accused Mehsud of assassinating Benazir and blamed Musharraf regime for being careless and not providing enough security to the President's assassinated wife. However, as we have seen, it were her Bhutto's own followers who had refused to let police create the first security circle around the woman. The UN commission also accused the police of carelessly spoiling the crime scene just two hours after Benazir's death and collecting only 23 evidences when there were thousands to be found. The second allegation is correct and displays the lack of professional skills and intelligence in our police. The first argument is baseless as the crime scene was showered deliberately on the orders of Musharraf who was afraid the crime scene would keep inciting violence among already-aggreviated-and-infuriated PPP jiyalas. Thus, I think the court's decison incriminating Khurram Shahzad and Saud Aziz needs to be revoked. They are the only two people who are punished for their alleged involvement in Bhutto's murder but they had strong arguments in their defense. The weakest allegation is that they opposed the autopsy of Benazir when it was obviously prevented in order to avoid her family's displeasure. What message her autopsy had transmitted to her jiyalas? The message that their leader is being denuded now and hacked into pieces by the very government who's failed to provide her with enough security!
Zardari further claimed that Baitullah Mehsud, the leader of the Pakistani Taliban, was the leader who had planned Benazir's murder. After his death in a drone attack, Zardari expressed his satisfaction. But he and his son Bilawal (Benazir's successor as PPP's chairperson) still blame Musharraf for being the prime suspect in Benazir's murder case.
The UN commission that arrived especially on the behest of Zardari's government to investigate the murder of Benazir consisted of three members. They accused Mehsud of assassinating Benazir and blamed Musharraf regime for being careless and not providing enough security to the President's assassinated wife. However, as we have seen, it were her Bhutto's own followers who had refused to let police create the first security circle around the woman. The UN commission also accused the police of carelessly spoiling the crime scene just two hours after Benazir's death and collecting only 23 evidences when there were thousands to be found. The second allegation is correct and displays the lack of professional skills and intelligence in our police. The first argument is baseless as the crime scene was showered deliberately on the orders of Musharraf who was afraid the crime scene would keep inciting violence among already-aggreviated-and-infuriated PPP jiyalas. Thus, I think the court's decison incriminating Khurram Shahzad and Saud Aziz needs to be revoked. They are the only two people who are punished for their alleged involvement in Bhutto's murder but they had strong arguments in their defense. The weakest allegation is that they opposed the autopsy of Benazir when it was obviously prevented in order to avoid her family's displeasure. What message her autopsy had transmitted to her jiyalas? The message that their leader is being denuded now and hacked into pieces by the very government who's failed to provide her with enough security!
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| Zulfiqar Mirza |
PPP sources often claim that Musharraf, before Bhutto's arrival, called and threatened her from ever returning to her country. In fact, it is claimed that Pak government was against Bhutto's arrival before General Elections 2008. They were afraid that Taliban would attempt to assassinate her. But Benazir, without paying attention towards genuine threats to her life, returned to Pakistan and caused the death of several innocent jiyalas. Then, again, she was warned - as I've mentioned above - not to expose her life to anymore threats. But she refused to listen again and died as a result of her own carelessness.
The murder of Khalid Shahenshah is also a quite mysterious factor in Benazir assassination investigation. He was gunned down in 2008 CE. A conspiracy theory states that Zardari paid to murder him because Shahenshah had decided to expose him as the actual conspirator behind Bhutto's assassination. Even Uzair Baloch has accused Zardari of plotting Bhutto's killing.
The murder of Khalid Shahenshah is also a quite mysterious factor in Benazir assassination investigation. He was gunned down in 2008 CE. A conspiracy theory states that Zardari paid to murder him because Shahenshah had decided to expose him as the actual conspirator behind Bhutto's assassination. Even Uzair Baloch has accused Zardari of plotting Bhutto's killing.
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| Uzair Balock in the custody of Sindh Rangers |
We are not 100% sure whether Zardari or Musharraf sponsored the assassination of Bhutto but we are certain that Zardari was the actual beneficiary of her death instead of Musharraf who had to resign in 2008 CE.
Just as Bhutto's murder was politically manipulated by PPP in favor of his daughter, Benazir's killing was also manipulated by PPP in favor of Zardari. Zardari is supported by the Sindhi nation in the name of the Bhutto family. The genuine successor of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto is his grandson Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Jr. who currently lives aloof from the Pakistani politics.
Just as Bhutto's murder was politically manipulated by PPP in favor of his daughter, Benazir's killing was also manipulated by PPP in favor of Zardari. Zardari is supported by the Sindhi nation in the name of the Bhutto family. The genuine successor of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto is his grandson Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Jr. who currently lives aloof from the Pakistani politics.
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| A political poster depicting Benazir Bhutto |
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