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Nusrat Bhutto's unmatched struggle for the cause of democracy
KARACHI: Begum Nusrat Bhutto waged almost a decade long political struggle for revival of democracy, restoration of Constitution and upholding of fundamental rights of Pakistani people in the face of brutal dictatorship.
Begum Nusrat Bhutto was born on September 21, 1929, former first lady of Pakistan, widow of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and mother of Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
Nusrat Ispahani was an Iranian from Kurdistan Province, by heritage and daughter of a wealthy Iranian businessman who settled in Karachi, then British India before partition. Nusrat met Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in Karachi where they got married, which was Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's 2nd marriage.
As First Lady from 1973-77, Nusrat Bhutto functioned as apolitical leader and accompanied her husband on a number of overseas visits.
In 1979, after the trial and execution of her husband, she and her daughters were imprisoned and placed under house arrest by the then regime of late dictator Zia-ul-Haq. However, due to health concerns she was later permitted to leave the country for London, where she was later joined by her daughters Benazir and Sanam. She became leader of the PPP during her London exile and although she was chairperson of the party for life, her daughter Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto later replaced her.
After returning to Pakistan in the late 1980s, she served several terms as an MP to the National Assembly from the family constituency of Larkana in Sindh.
Also, during the administrations of her daughter Benazir, she became a cabinet minister.
She then used to live with her daughter's family in Dubai and suffered from the effects of a stroke and Alzheimer's Disease.
An Iranian Kurd by origin tracing her ancestry to the legendary Islamic hero, statesman and a great soldier Salahuddin Ayubi, Nusrat Bhutto was surfeit with compassion, grit, dauntless determination and courage from the days of her childhood. And her dynamism, love and care for humanity blossomed her into a young lady who would strive, seek and not yield at a challenging time when loads and loads of trains packed with refugees from India were pouring intoKarachi in the aftermath of partition of the sub-continent.
As a self-less member of the Women's National Guard, she rendered herself day and night into the relief operation of the millions of the uprooted refugees, feeding them, providing them shelter and succour.
Her marriage to Shaheed Zulifikar Ali Bhutto was also a great turning point in her life. Despite the fact that as the wife of Pakistan's most dynamic foreign minister, she had to travel with him far and wide, but she did not allow any strain on her responsibilities as a perfect mother. Her total devotion in bringing up their children is perhaps the reason that all of their children were highly educated.
Twice Begum Bhutto was elected member of the National Assembly, remained a senior minister and also a constant source of inspiration for her daughter former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, masses and PPP workers especially.
She had been proud of Pakistanis by representing her country at various international forums and her contribution as the chairperson of the Red Crescent had gone a long way in improving the country's image. She has also received various international awards for her immense contribution to the greatest good of the largest number especially workers, women and children.
Begum Nusrat Bhutto had always been a fighter. She fought the battle for the empowerment of the people in the streets against dictatorship.
Courtesy www.thenews.com.pk