Why I'm Returning To Pakistan

Read more reactions from HuffPost bloggers on Benazir Bhutto's assassination

I was looking forward to a quiet family holiday in New York this summer with my three children, our dog Maxmillian and my husband, who is being treated for a heart condition that developed while he was a political prisoner in Pakistan from 1996 to 2004. I thought we would go to the theatre and spend time walking in Central Park, as well meeting up with friends for nice, long chatty dinners. But in this surprisingly momentous summer of 2007, our quiet family vacation disappeared as we found ourselves caught up in the media attention on my country Pakistan, and its fast changing political situation.

It is clear to those following events in South Asia that Pakistan is truly at a turning point. Almost a decade of military dictatorship has devastated the basic infrastructure of democracy. Political parties have been assaulted, political leaders arrested, and the judicial system manipulated to force party leaders into exile. NGOs have been under constant attack, especially those that deal with human rights, democratic values and women's rights. The press has been intimidated, with some reporters -- even those that work for papers like the New York Times -- arrested, beaten or made to disappear. Student and labor unions have not been allowed to function. The electoral institutions of the nation have been manipulated by an Election Commission that could not stop rigging and fraud. And in the battle against terrorism, we look on with dismay as the government of Pakistan ceded sections of our nation that previously had been governed by the rule of law to Taliban sympathizers and to Al Qaeda, making Pakistan the Petri dish of the international terrorist movement.

But the most dangerous manifestation of this retreat from democracy has been a growing sense of hopelessness of the people of Pakistan, and a total disillusionment with the political system's ability to address their daily problems. The social sector has festered -- underfinanced and relegated to the back burner of national policy. All the indicators of quality of life have spiraled down, from employment to education to housing to health care. And as people's sense of disillusionment has grown, there has been a corresponding growth in the spread of religious and political extremism. The failure of the regime has made our citizens open to extra-governmental experimentation with fanaticism. This has clearly been manifest in the spread of politicized madrassas, schools in which the curriculum incorporates xenophobia, bigotry and often para-military terrorist training. But poor parents who cannot feed or clothe their children entrust them to these kinds of schools, so their children may be fed and housed.

The growth of the madrassas is but one important signal that extremism has been making inroads against moderation amongst the Pakistani polity. I have always believed that the battle between extremism and moderation is the underlying battle for the very soul of Pakistan. Yet moderation can prevail against the extremists only if democracy flourishes and the social sector improves the quality of life of the people. In 2007, I sensed that the decade of dictatorship was threatening to undermine the moderate majority of Pakistan, those people committed to pluralism, to education, to technology -- in other words, those committed to Pakistan taking its place among the community of civilized nations as a leader in the 21st century. Under democracy, the extremists had been marginalized in the past, never receiving more than 11% of the vote in an election. But under dictatorship, Pakistan was edging toward extremism, chaos, and sliding towards a failed state.

My party [the Pakistan Peoples Party] was engaged in a dialogue with the regime of General Musharraf, but discussions didn't move the regime concretely toward democratic reform. In the summer of 2007, after the reinstatement of the Chief Justice of Pakistan and the birth of judicial activism, the dialogue with General Musharraf took a more substantive turn. It seemed now that the country had an opportunity to peacefully transition to democracy, which is critical for the other war -- the war of moderation against extremism -- to succeed. I had a choice. Engage in dialogue, or turn toward the streets. I knew that street protests against the Musharraf dictatorship could lead to the deaths of hundreds. I thought about the choice before me very carefully. I chose dialogue; I chose negotiation; I chose to find a common ground that would unite all the moderate elements of Pakistan for a peaceful transfer to a workable political system that was responsive to the needs of the 160 million people of Pakistan whose empowerment is critical to the success of both governing and the fight against terrorism.

I know that some in Pakistan, including those in political parties were so embittered with the military regime that they wanted the door of dialogue shut. But from the very beginning my goal was and remains to guarantee a free and open electoral process that would provide for a legitimate Parliament and provincial assemblies that would then select, in a constitutional process, a civilian President who understands that in a parliamentary democracy, the parliament is supreme. I wasn't negotiating for a guaranteed outcome, I was negotiating for a guaranteed process. That was the goal at the beginning. That is the goal now. Are we making progress towards that goal? I still am unable to say. There are many elements, in particular those sympathisers in the ruling Party and Government who enabled the extremists and militants to expand their influence in my country who are fearful of the return of the PPP and a rollback of the terrorist forces that have gained strength since my government was overthrown in 1996. They want to scuttle a process that could see the emergence of a moderate Pakistan. So it has been a roller coaster ride. Some times the dialogue moves forward with General Musharaf . But then he consults his colleagues in the ruling alliance and retracts from confidence building measures promised for a fair electoral process.

As the presidential and parliamentary elections approach, I am making plans with my supporters to return to Pakistan. I know that it is critical for Pakistan to return to a democratic way of life so that the people's problems can be addressed. When people are partners with government, they stand up to defend their communities against terrorists, criminals and negative forces.

My stay in New York wasn't exactly the family vacation I had planned, but it was a critical period of weeks that could very well determine the future of Pakistan. I long ago realized that my personal life was to be subjugated to my political responsibilities. When my democratically elected father, Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was arrested in 1977 and subsequently murdered, the mantle of leadership of the Pakistan Peoples Party, our nation's largest, nationwide grassroots political structure, was suddenly thrust upon me. It was not the life I planned, but it is the life I have. My husband and children accept and understand that my political responsibilities to the people of Pakistan come first, as painful as that personally is to all of us. I would like to be planning my son's move to his first year at college later this month, but instead I am planning my return to Pakistan and my party's parliamentary election campaign.

I didn't choose this life. It chose me.

Read more reactions from HuffPost bloggers on Benazir Bhutto's assassination

Comments

[HypocrisyAlarm]

Ms. Bhutto,

I've been a fan of yours since I first saw you in an interview years ago. I had, then, a Pakistani friend, and that acquaintance led to an interest in the history and culture of Pakistan. That lead to hearing you speak.

You are one of precious few political figures that I hear speaking reason. It is such a pleasure to hear you factually laying out a given problem and then explaining the solution options -- complete with pro and cons for each. We need people like you in many countries in the West (particularly in the US, I'm afraid), but Asia needs you desperately, as well.

Please keep up the good work.

[AfzaalKhan]

hmmmmmmz cnesor atlast, and i thought this blog was a just one, all my comments which were critical of Ms. Bhutto and detailed the atrocities & crime she has comitted are not being published. Lemme see with west pushing Ms. Bhutto upon Pakistan, and western media going gagga over her I wonder if this is not a conpsiracy regarding my cmments (time to get back under my tinfoil;))

[unfoxworthy]

Benazir,
I applaud you. When I see folks like you and Manmohan Singh of India possibly being at the helms of two [presently] adversarial countries, I envision a bridge being built already!
When I measure PM Singh's words and yours against what we now have in our country...I'd like to ask one favor.
After you make peace and build your people the country that they rightly deserve...
...would you come back and do it for us??

[joebaggadonuts]

Benazir,

You will bring hope to your nation. God speed and best luck.

[Alethia]

I wish democracy success in Pakistan! Whether its leader is Benazir Bhutto, Pervez Musharraf, Nawaz Sharif, a mix of the three or someone else is for the Pakistani people to decide.

I visited Pakistan twice many years ago and still have dear friends who live there. Pakistan is beautiful country with wonderful and friendly people!

Americans make the mistake of having a love affair with India so much that they sometimes treat Pakistan as India's "evil twin". That's very unfair! Yes, it's O.K. to have a love affair with India, but Pakistan is also part of the "Historical India" that Americans have come to know and love: Rudyard Kipling was based in the city of Lahore (now in Pakistan) and the setting for the adventure novel "Kim". Many of his books were written about Northwestern India of the 19th century which is essentially the area of Pakistan today. The Shalimar Gardens are in Pakistan, some of Alexander the Great's soldiers settled in present-day Pakistan leaving a lasting Greek influence and the Shirley Temple classic, "Wee Winnie Winkle" was set in the Northwest Frontier Province of present-day Pakistan of the then-British India, the plot of which continues to this day - a Turbaned Pushtun (Afghan) Chief doesn't want to be ruled by any outsiders, especially the British-Indian Army, so he kidnaps the British General's niece, but she steals his heart! Watch the movie-1935 is almost the same as what's happening in that part of the world today.
Yes, people, Pakistan, as Benazir Bhutto exemplifies, is a country to be noticed. Give it a chance!

[stlrfan]

Ms. Bhutto, Godspeed in your quest to turn back from military dictatorship. A voice of reason and comprimise is much needed the world of sectarian strife.

[LaFilleEnRose]

Not knowing enough about you, I can only applaud what you wrote, and hope there is real sincerity behind it. Truly, beginning with education -- particularly the madrasses -- and all the other changes you suggest, if indeed corrected, would be remarkable and need accomplishments. Some commenters to your blog mention the power of your country's army and we pray that your previous experience in bringing about peace does not make you shy of trying for the same thing again should you get back in power.

I'm sure I join everyone in saying God speed to you and your countrymen in these difficult times.

[godlessclif]

It was not Taliban who attacked the US on 9/11
If the prime minister can get the Taliban back on our side that would be a good thing. I bet the Taliban could find Bin Laden.

[AbstractImp]

Does America have anyone with half the soul and social conscientiousness as this woman?

Pakistan should be proud to have produced such a leader as Benazir Bhutto.

My own nation should watch and pay attention, so that we might learn those things for which we were formerly the world's first example.

[OhPlease2007]

Ms. Bhutto, thank you for speaking up for "human rights, democratic values, and women's rights."

I hope that you will also be a democratic voice for the need for nuclear disarmament in the world.

Kudos to The Huffington Post in working with Ms. Bhutto to give her a forum for her social & political views regarding her homeland.

Ms. Bhutto, I am not familiar with your family's political history & views, but I hope that you will continue to post all of your important views on this blog site for us all to read.

I hope your husband is feeling better; good luck to your campaign in Pakistan.

:)

[tangerinesong]

Ms. Bhutto,

Thank you for your cogent, lucid, eloquent and realistic description of how ones life can change on a dime through the forces of historical calling.

History needs your specific performance at this critical time. Out of 6 billion people on this planet, there are an infinitesimal few that have that opportunity to be chosen to answer such a calling and you are one of those very few who have chosen to answer.

The enormity of just the thought of being chosen to answer this calling is staggering and your acceptance even more so. Ms. Bhutto, you are in that rare atmosphere of the very few that have made and will continue to make history.

I’m humbled at the mere act of writing this.

God Speed Ms. Bhutto and know that you have our support; you are in our thoughts and prayers.

tangerinesong

[Erdgeist]

We all know that the American government created the madrassas. In fact, the American government created Muslim extremism which is antithetical to Islam.

The U.S. is the 'evil empire', at least that is what its foreign policy promotes, i.e., the radical overthrow of freedom.

The founding fathers would be ashamed of this country if they could see it now. It stands for every form of evil a Hitler might devise were he alive. It has the largest prison population in the world--and the most mentally ill people in the world. This country needs a huge reformation so we don't keep creating military dictatorships and evil.

[jfrankesq]

I hope this lady lives 175 years.... I think the reason she wrote this, is because she doesn't expect to....as the old ads used to say, "My life insurance company? Why, New England Life, of course... why?"

Too bad... she seems quite sensible.

[JacktheBlogger]

In my August 22, 2007 blog post, "The Pakistani Paradox," I wrote the following:

"It turns out that Pakistan has been 'a steadfast American ally' whenever it happened to be under military rule as was true with Gen. Mohammad Ayub Khan in the 1960s, Gen. Muhammad Zia ul-Haq in the 1980s, and Gen. Pervez Musharraf in the 2000s."

"...military dictators have never ever been as good for Pakistan as they have been for the United States. In keeping with this tradition, General Musharraf has had his illicit turn but now his time is up. The purported power-sharing agreement that he has been trying to finalize with ex-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto would be bad for both Pakistan and the United States – ipso facto, the idea having emanated out of the Bush Administration, it would surely be unpalatable to the larger Pakistani population."

So I am glad that this deal with the dictator has collapsed. I concluded my blog with the following:

"Herein lies the Pakistani paradox, which appears to be a dilemma that actually confronts most Muslim nations – how to reconcile the requirements for a functioning liberal democracy against the seemingly conflicting demands of an orthodox Muslim theology? Democracy did not seem to be the perfect solution for India in 1947, but both democracy and a secular India have managed to survive and prosper through some tumultuous times. Pakistan could yet become a shining example of a Muslim democracy, provided its military stops stepping in every time it foresees or fakes a 'crisis.' And, more importantly, the next time a military officer dares to overthrow an elected government in Pakistan, the United States should use whatever means necessary to force him back into his barracks."

I hope both, Ms. Bhutto and Mr. Sharif have learned from their past mistakes and do better by their country.

[negogato]

Thanks JacktheBlogger,

This exchange in 1999 one month after General Musharraf seized power in a military coup deserves reposting.

This is an interview with then candidate Bush regarding the name of the leader of Pakistan.

"Can you name the general who is in charge of Pakistan?" asked Hiller, inquiring about Gen. Pervaiz Musharraf, who took over last month in a military coup.

"Wait, wait, is this 50 questions?" replied Bush.

Hiller replied: "No, it's four questions of four leaders in four hot spots."

Bush said: "The new Pakistani general, he's just been elected – not elected, this guy took over office. It appears this guy is going to bring stability to the country and I think that's good news for the subcontinent."

Hiller persisted, saying "Can you name him?"

Bush said: "General. I can name the general. General."

"And the prime minister of India?" asked Hiller, inquiring about a man who was recently re-elected and who last year tested a nuclear bomb.

Bush said: "The new prime minister of India is – no."

At that point, Bush responded in kind to Hiller.

"Can you name the foreign minister of Mexico?" asked the governor, whose home state borders the Central American nation.

The reporter replied, "No sir, but I would say to that, I'm not running for president."

Bush said: "What I'm suggesting to you is, if you can't name the foreign minister of Mexico, therefore, you know, you're not capable about what you do. But the truth of the matter is you are, whether you can or not."

And Bush was running whether he could or not. Oh he was vague about the name but he was sure in his no longer drinking heart that "the general" was good for the sub-continent.

Either you are for Democracy....

[cliveohclive]

The despair likely felt by many in Pakistan over the systematic dismantling of democratic safeguards and the rise of fundamentalist religious factions echos what is happening in the United States.

I trust that we have long ago abandoned the notion the we are better than the rest of the world and that our experiment in democracy is safer than in any other part of the world.

The machinations of the regime currently in power in the United States are no different than those in any country where the few believe that they know what is best for the many.