Right from the ‘judicial murder’ of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto down to the last day, Benazir Bhutto had incredible family concerns which disturbed her till the last day of her life; before she was assassinated on 27th December 2007.
Judicial Murder of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (Father - Benazir Bhutto):
General Zia’s coup came as a shock for Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (1928-1979) and his family. A Chief of Arm Staff, who had created an image of being a bending willow before his lord and master, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, crossed the boundaries to seize power by putting his mentor under ‘house arrest’.
After seizing power, Zia promoted his own image of humbleness as well as of being religious which was very different from his predecessor who realized how religion was exploited in Pakistan by the vested interests. Being an artful individual, Zia realized pretty early that Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto would not let him live in peace.
Benazir and the Bhutto family were shocked to see Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto arrested by the FIA in a strange fashion from his Clifton residence on a fabricated charge of the murder of Kasuri’s father, a PPP protester. The dismal way in which the-then CJ sided with Zia for conviction of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto would remain a shackle for the institution as well as the people.
Murder of Murtaza Bhutto in Karachi (Brother - Benazir Bhutto)
Murtaza Bhutto (1954 – 1996) was not happy with the ways of Benazir's husband Asif Ali Zardari and wanted him to be removed from influence in the PPP. When Benazir decided to take a side with her husband, Murtaza Bhutto became a strong critic of the PPP government and the ongoing corruption. Asif Zardari, and his protégé Abdullah Shah Lakiyari (then Chief Minister of Sindh), tried to obstruct Murtaza's political campaign.
Murtaza Bhutto invited Zardari to talk in private and settle the problems within the family. However, the meeting ended in confrontation. It is believed that Murtaza Bhutto humiliated Asif Zardari abd shaved off half of his moustache. It is widely believed in Pakistan that this incident drove Zardari to rage and he used help from Lakiyari's police machinery to assassinate Murtaza Bhutto. Benazir became highly unpopular after this incident and her limo was stoned by PPP workers when she tried to visit Murtaza's funeral ceremonies. After Benazir's government was dismissed in 1996, Zardari was detained for having a part in Murtaza's assassination. However, no charges were ever proven due to lack of evidence.
Assassination of Shahnawaz Bhutto in France (Brother - Benazir Bhutto)
The death of Shahnawaz Bhutto (1958 – 1985) in France had been quite mysterious. It was believed by the media to have been the outcome of a conspiracy. However, even after assuming power Benazir Bhutto did not have the time to pursue the case due the prevailing political conspiracies and PPP’s fragile position.
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