The post showcased archival footage of Bhutto’s poignant final speech in the Bangladeshi Parliament, highlighting his commanding presence and fervent rhetoric
By Uzma Ehtasham
KARACHI: Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Jr., the grandson of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister and founder of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), marked the 46th anniversary of his grandfather’s death with a moving tribute and a rare historical video. In a deeply personal post shared on Instagram, Bhutto Jr. reflected on the legacy of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, calling April 4th a sorrowful day etched into the nation’s political memory.
The post featured archival footage of Bhutto’s final speech—delivered in the Bangladeshi Parliament—capturing the former prime minister’s commanding presence and impassioned rhetoric. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who was executed on April 4, 1979, after a controversial trial widely seen as politically motivated, remains one of Pakistan’s most iconic and polarising political figures. The clip, now circulating widely online, offered younger generations a glimpse into the oratory strength and conviction that defined Bhutto’s career.
Bhutto Jr., son of the late Mir Murtaza Bhutto, used the occasion to highlight his grandfather’s impact on Pakistan’s democracy, judicial reform, and state-building policies. In his caption, he described the elder Bhutto as a leader who gave ordinary Pakistanis the courage to speak up, to hope, and to believe in a more just society. “He made the common man believe in his power, in his voice,” Bhutto Jr. wrote, underlining a legacy that continues to shape the PPP’s political narrative to this day.
April 4 continues to serve as a day of mourning and reflection for PPP loyalists across the country. From Garhi Khuda Bakhsh to the corridors of power in Islamabad, tributes pour in annually for the man who authored Pakistan’s 1973 Constitution and gave the country its first coherent democratic structure after years of military rule.
While the political space in Pakistan has evolved significantly since Bhutto’s time, his legacy remains foundational to the identity of the PPP, currently led by his grandson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. For many, especially in Sindh, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s image still evokes memories of defiance against authoritarianism, a visionary commitment to the working class, and the ultimate price paid for challenging the status quo. With Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Jr.’s tribute, the Bhutto family’s generational torch of remembrance remains lit—rooted not just in the political achievements of a bygone era, but in a shared memory of struggle, sacrifice, and enduring hope for Pakistan’s democratic future.
