BEGUM NUSRAT BHUTTO
First Lady
The wife of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Begum Nusrat Bhutto suffered immense personal loss as her husband was murdered in cold blood by a dictator. She had four children to look after and an entire country to console. She had seen first-hand her husband’s passion and dedication for the people of Pakistan. It fell on her to honor his legacy by continuing his work for the cause of democracy in Pakistan.
The beautiful Iranian-born matriarch became the leader of PPP supporters and Party workers during Quaid-e-Awam’s trial and after.
After Begum Bhutto took charge of the Party, she became the beacon of hope, and they found solace in the bravery of the former First Lady, who fought valiantly against dictatorship.
Begum Nusrat Bhutto braved unspeakable torture, lived through solitary confinement and continued to uphold the ideologies of her late husband, and refused to give up on the journey towards a progressive Pakistan.
Madar-e-Jamhooriat Begum Nusrat Bhutto was leading protestors, as country-wide demonstrations were held against the tyrannical rule of the time.
Suffering
Her suffering is clearly evident in the multiple injuries she received at the hands of dictator’s cronies. Zia’s police beat the protestors with lathis (long heavy sticks) during an uproar at Lahore’s Gaddafi stadium on 16 December 1977. The dictator couldn’t stand the popularity of the democratic fervor of Pakistan Peoples Party. When the spectators spotted Begum Nusrat Bhutto, the whole stadium broke out in cries of “Long live Bhutto!”. The police officers received their orders and Madar-e-Jamhooriat (Mother of Democracy) Begum Nusrat Bhutto was again front-line, at the receiving end of their fury and frustration. Her head injury required 12 stitches, and she was arrested from her hospital bed, even before her wound could be dressed. Finally, as her efforts came to fruition and elections were called again,
Politics
Begum Bhutto was elected Member of Assembly for Larkana in 1988, and she represented the same seat from 1993-96 again. She had the honor to organize first Women Wing of any political party in Pakistan and made the PPP Women Wing into a vibrant sister organization within a short period.
The way she led the democratic forces following the martyrdom of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto by the dictatorial regime, Begum Nusrat Bhutto shall always remain an icon of leadership, courage, and gallantry and shall continue to inspire the democratic people of Pakistan in the future.
Her children and her late husband’s causes remained her foremost responsibilities. Her losses were irreparable as she buried not only her husband but also 3 of her 4 children, a loss no mother should ever have to bear.
Her Death
Madar-e-Jamhooriat Begum Nusrat Bhutto passed away on 23rd October 2011 at her home.
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