"...Bhutto had been warned by none other than the Soviet that an attempt on his life would be made by the Americans and their allies, and that they had “a plan for August and November..."
Influence of Nightmares: Bhutto Zia (Part II)
QUEST FOR DEMOCRACY OR POWER? Zahra Belal Tuesday, April 21, 2009
After the tragic and disastrous events of early 70’s and the consequent break-up of Pakistan, a very charismatic man, popularly known as Quid-e-Awaam, became the prime minister. This man was Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. Bhutto won unanimously from the present day Pakistan, which shows his popularity and support from the masses. To date, many have failed to understand and esteem what Bhutto stood for. Bhutto envisioned Islamic Socialism. He was rapidly building diplomatic ties with all the Muslim Countries, particularly Arab countries, in order to create a Muslim block, on the pattern of EU. Hence, where Ayub had strove to show full support for the US by joining SEATO and CENTO which were defense to curb communism expansion, Bhutto showed slight restrain, inclining also towards Soviet Union. This intensified when he learnt that America had a great hand in funding the opposition party PNA, which was causing immense instability in the country. Moreover, American government had turned back on its promise of providing Pakistan with A-7 fighter bombers while also pressurizing the French Government to delay or scrap the shipment of Nuclear Reprocessing Plant to Pakistan, thereby going against the agreement. While the American Media had gone to the extent of saying “Prime Minister must resign” and “free elections” must be held because of the unrest among the opposition, whose strategies and funds were handled by the Americans themselves.
It was an eye-opener for Bhutto, and he decided to quit CENTO and instead approached Soviet Union, making his intention clear and reassuring that if Soviet Union would extend “Solid and concrete assurances for military and economic assistance for Pakistan,” he would “shed CENTO to teach the US a lesson.” This did not settle well with the Americans. Not only this, Bhutto went on an Islamic Summit tour and from all Muslim World leaders except Shah of Iran, he was promised “full support.” Thus, having his morale boosted, he was determined to negotiate with the Opposition. A “final accord” was reached and only face saving formalities were left. It was two days after, that martial law was imposed by Gen Zia, thus commenced one of the biggest nightmare, (pun intended) which was to terrorize people for a decade.
Now, no appreciable reason was given to explain the martial law. Zia claimed in his speech to the nation that it was an “inexcusable sin” for the armed forces “to sit as silent spectators” while “political leaders failed” to reach an agreement. This, however, didn’t make sense as Bhutto had acceded to opposition’s demands. Hence, it proves the point that the coup was brought about by forces outside of Pakistan who desperately wanted Bhutto removed. There is not much doubt about the American government feeling threatened by Bhutto. They knew well that if there was one person who could ditch CENTO and join hands with Commies, it was Bhutto. They knew about the not-so-clandestine correspondence between the two. Furthermore, Bhutto had been warned by none other than the Soviet that an attempt on his life would be made by the Americans and their allies, and that they had “a plan for August and November.”
A democratic government headed by a man who had a mind of his own, who wanted to teach the US a lesson and propagate anti- American feeling among masses in his campaign, did not suit the Americans at all. And what with Bhutto envisioning a nuclear Pakistan which was to be the archangel of the Muslim Ummah (which is laden with oil countries and hence a potential threat), while also having a strong Palestine Policy and plainly refusing to give in an inch in Kashmir. It was apparent that the Americans did not want to displease India by aiding Pakistan militarily as they were still trying to win India from the Soviet. Their attempt at causing insurgency and opposition against Bhutto had also failed in the end. But more than anything, they wanted a government which would act as mere players in their game. Why and what game? The Soviet Union was rapidly expanding and its direction, as the Americans were well-aware, was towards Afghanistan, then sub-continent and eventually the Indian Ocean. And America needed to curtail it in time. Pakistan with its well trained and handsome numbered army was and is a perfect buffer state between Afghanistan and India, the latter being a staunch Soviet ally, with Soviet “sponsored” army. Pakistan has a long border with Afghanistan and, in addition to that, a sea port from where logistics could be transported. Hence, Americans set about creating the stage.
In General Zia was the perfect solution and the Americans could not have asked for more. Not only was he a dictator but he also had personal interests in having Bhutto removed forever. Gen Zia was not only contemptuous of Bhutto’s ridiculing and sneering attitude towards him, but he knew that it’s either him or Bhutto who could…live. And not surprisingly, it was himself that the General chose. He went about creating this halo of devoutness and piety around himself, trying to win confidence of the people, quoting verses from the Quran; all to popularize his self. He, however, failed miserably and was appalled to see the number of people who came out in streets, in spite of the martial law and thus endangering their lives, just to greet and support Bhutto after his temporary release. Swiftly changing tactic, now Gen Zia aimed at terrorizing people with Bhutto’s infidelity, corruption, nepotism, alcoholism etc and how Bhutto was endangering Islam. So Gen Zia had Bhutto re-arrested and later, also charged the latter for a murder case. Such was the power of this nightmare, that people started believing that Bhutto was a threat to Islam and would have supported the commies to invade Muslim brothers in Afghanistan. People also thought Zia was a simple and devout man who claimed himself the “soldier of Islam,” and who will be the harbinger of justice and honesty in this country, on the basis of Islam.
Ironically, the champions of the “free world” and democracy were silent as a grave. Therefore, by doing that they had shown tacit approval for Gen Zia. Bhutto’s trial was stretch and allegations against him were made public. The rural masses were still die-hard Bhutto supporters, and though his popularity may have diminished but still he would have easily won the elections. It was the urban masses that had been fed with Bhutto-phobia that readily believed it. Hence, eventually, in spite of immense popularity, Bhutto was hanged and America was at peace. To hat it off, billions of dollars flowed in from America as Commies erupted in Afghanistan. The nightmare, now, took another dimension. The religious fervor and the dormant feeling of jihad among the Pakistanis and Muslims world over, was made to surge. Zia’s Islamization coincidently came in handy for the Americans. The unpaid soldiers of Pakistan from the tribal areas of North-West frontier, who had liberated Azad Kashmir from the clutches of the Indian Army, now travelled to Afghanistan. This was a war of saving Islam, of fighting for our Muslim brothers and if we don’t, they, the commies are going to blow up Kaaba. So were told all the Pakistanis and the world. The Mujahedeen’s were armed to teeth, Pak army also indulged in it and there was no stopping the Americans dollars, which were now in Pakistan’s treasury in abundance. Suddenly, Gen Zia was the most publicized man in US media. The posters of Zia and the Mujahedeen bore the caption “Upholders of the free world.” Thus, Pakistan had fully immersed itself in this proxy war.
Hence, this nightmare had far reaching impact. First and foremost is cruel and unjustified elimination of the popular leader. Secondly, a proxy war that Pakistan indulged itself in to in exchange of billions of dollars, thus keeping afloat dictatorship in Pakistan. Quite ironically, history would repeat itself. Martial law would be imposed yet again, a decade later, and it would be as coincidently convenient for the Americans. It would also survive under the umbrella of American AID. The tables, however, will turn and there will be new rules of the game. Another nightmare will be created, the heroes turned zero, Freedom fighter now the “terrorists” who again are standing in the way of the “peaceful World.” A full fledge war will initiate in the name of “war on terror” against the Freedom fighters of Afghanistan. Pakistan will again plunge in to proxy war and henceforth, will ensue the worst nightmare Pakistan has ever had to face. Those who do not, as they say, learn from history should repeat it. Its time we stopped doing it.
