By Habib R. Sulemani
“THE federal cabinet has given the go-ahead to the ministry of law and justice to file a reference in the Supreme Court to reopen former premier Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s case, which, the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) believes, culminated in his ‘judicial murder.’
"President Asif Ali Zardari will take party leaders into confidence before filing a judicial reference in the Z.A. Bhutto case on April 4 (the leader's death anniversary) in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh (ancestral graveyard), according to Federal Information Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan, who briefed the media after the cabinet meeting on Monday.” (The Express Tribune; March 29, 2011)
Okay. That is a good omen! The symbolic trial of every military dictator is a must to make democracy stronger in the militarized Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Mr. Bhutto (1928–1979) was hanged by General Zia-ul-Haq (1924–1988), who, as Army Chief, had snatched power from the former Prime Minister during a bloodless coup d'état. Almost all of the characters involved in this case have gone to their final abode—except an elderly former judge, Justice Nasim Hassan Shah. It was no-one but this judge who after retirement had confessed that due to pressure from the military dictator, they, judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, had given Mr. Bhutto a death sentence.
So, now, there is a common sense question. Why the current government is not focusing on the assassination of Mr. Bhutto’s daughter and also a former Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto (1953–2007)?
Ms. Bhutto was killed about three years ago. And the characters allegedly involved in this assassination are still alive and active. This is a question Mr. Bhutto’s son-in-law and Ms. Bhutto’s widower, Asif Ali Zardari, has to answer the 118 million people as President of Pakistan!
Moreover, two months ago, PPP leader and Governor Punjab, Salman Taseer, was brutally killed in Islamabad after allegations of blasphemy. This murder, allegedly committed by one of his bodyguards, was used by the secret agencies, through the media, to terrorize those who are known as liberals in the country. It shocked the whole nation. In the meanwhile, last month, another party leader and Minorities Minister, Shahbaz Bhatti, was assassinated in broad daylight on road in Islamabad. Why the government is not focusing on these recent tragedies?
People ask: is there something fishy about the recent incidents, or the culprits are more powerful than the elected government?
Before the next general elections, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilini has to answer these questions practically. Otherwise, there is no future for this so-called anti-establishment ruling party anymore. Hollow political slogans don't work for anybody anymore in the second decade of the 21st century. Believe you me, Mr. Prime Minister!
(Photos via Google)
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