Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (5 January 1928 – 4 April 1979), the bravest and the most popular leader of Pakistan, was the symbol of democracy and voice against dictatorship. His political stature is matchless; his political sagacity and pragmatism gave Pakistan a political party-system (earlier, Ayub had crashed political parties), socio economic development, nuclear deterrence, economic independence, constitution of 1973, land reforms and a parliamentary system.

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was the 9th prime minister of Pakistan (1973 to 1977), and prior to that, the 4th president of Pakistan (1971 to 1973). Bhutto was the founder of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) — the largest and the most influential political party in Pakistan— and served as its chairman until his shahaadat in 1979. His daughter, Benazir Bhutto, also served as prime minister later on. He was the youngest parliamentarian elected in 1957. He was one of the youngest foreign ministers, in Ayub Khan’s cabinet. Later on, he resigned and agitated against Ayub regime because Bhutto believed that Ayub’s rule was sowing the seeds of agitation, discontentment and deprivation amongst the general masses. He struggled for democracy and for the rule of people. Bhutto also agitated against Yayha Khan’s martial law and strived for the restoration of democracy in Pakistan with the support of masses. He was the leader of the masses. He founded Pakistan People’s Party which turned to be the most popular party of Pakistan and won general elections in 70s. He believed in the agenda which aimed at the issues pertaining to common man and offered tangible solutions to these problems. He raised the slogan of “Roti, Kapra aur Makan”(food, clothing and shelter for the masses) which attracted millions of common people from all corners of the country.

Bhutto was noted for his progressive economic initiatives, industrialisation, education, foreign policy, and his intellectualism. In addition to national security issues, Bhutto promoted his policies on the nationalization, healthcare, and social reforms. Under his premiership, Pakistan’s parliament gave approval of and passed unanimously the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan, a landmark in the political and constitutional history that provided a parliamentary system to Pakistan. During his regime, he strived for strengthening the relations among the Third World nations. Hosting the second summit of Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in 1974, where he invited leaders from the Muslim world to Lahore, was one of the most remarkable and brave initiatives he took for the formation of a united Muslim Ummah. In July 1972, Bhutto successfully negotiated the Shimla treaty, signed with Indira Gandhi of India, brought 93,000 prisoners of war back to Pakistan, and secured 5,000 sq mi held by India. On January 20, 1972, weeks after the Indo-Pakistani 1971 war, Bhutto orchestrated, authorised, and administrated the scientific research on nuclear weapons; for this, he is known in the world as “Father of the Pakistan’s nuclear deterrence programme”. Bhutto selected Munir Ahmad Khan and Abdus Salam as the first and main basis of the programme.

Being a true believer in the supremacy of people’s rule, he relentlessly struggled for democracy in the country. He was the most acceptable popular leader of Pakistan, very popular man within the country and also in the international community. Bhutto staunchly supported Beijing in the UN, and in the UNSC, while Bhutto continued to keep building bridges with the United States. Bhutto was a strong advocate of developing ties with China. It will not be out of place to mention one of his speeches, which he made while addressing the nation in the backdrop of the separation of East Pakistan: “My dear countrymen, my dear friends, my dear students, labourers, peasants... those who fought for Pakistan... We are facing the worst crisis in our country’s life, a deadly crisis. We have to pick up the pieces, very small pieces, but we will make a new Pakistan, a prosperous and progressive Pakistan, a Pakistan free of exploitation, a Pakistan envisaged by the Quaid-e-Azam.”

Bhutto is considered the main architect of the 1973 Constitution. One of the major achievements in Bhutto’s life was the drafting of Pakistan’s first ever consensus constitution. The present regime of PPP has rightly claimed the credit for restoring the 1973 Constitution in its true spirit, after passage of the 18th Amendement.

Bhutto was a strong advocate of Afro-Asian solidarity and cemented ties with Afro-Asian and Islamic countries, and by 1976 had emerged as the leader of the Third World. Bhutto sought to improve Pakistan’s ties with the Arab world, and sided with them during the Arab-Israeli conflict. He also strengthened relations with the western world, US and Russia.

General Ziaul Haq abrogated the 1973 Constitution and arrested ZA Bhutto and initiated a fake case against him. On April 4, 1979, the day when Bhutto was executed, The New York Times published its final report on chronological events surrounding Bhutto’s trial. “The way they did it, (Bhutto) is going to grow into a legend that will some day backfire,” The New York Times quoted.

Bhutto had the pain for his masses in his heart and he struggled for their welfare and betterment. His political philosophy has survived through despite the agony and anguish of dictators. He still remains in the hearts of a great number of masses in all parts of the country. His legacy of democratic struggle and vision is being forwarded now by his grandchildren, and by the President of Pakistan, his son-in-law. Bhutto once said that “If things do not change, there will be nothing left to change. Either power must pass to the people or everything will perish.”

Bhutto was, undoubtedly, the champion of democracy and the rights of the poor in Pakistan. He ignited the beacon of democracy and kept it on with the sacrifice of his life. He did not bow in front of dictatorship. He still lives and will continue to live in the hearts and minds of the public. His ideas would be cherished by them forever. The need of the hour, however, is to understand and follow the political philosophy of the most charismatic leader after the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The nation has rightly given him the title of Quaid-e-Awam.