Mir Murtaza Bhutto: The Story of a Political Martyr
Imran
Early Life and Education
Mir Murtaza Bhutto was born on September 18, 1954, in Karachi. He was the son of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Begum Nusrat Bhutto. He studied at Harvard University and Christ Church, Oxford, where he specialized in politics and philosophy.
Exile and Al-Zulfiqar
After the execution of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Murtaza Bhutto chose the path of armed resistance against General Zia-ul-Haq’s dictatorship. He founded the organization “Al-Zulfiqar,” aimed at fighting military rule. Due to its activities, he lived in exile in Afghanistan, Syria, and Libya. A Pakistani military court sentenced him to death in absentia.
Differences with Benazir Bhutto
Murtaza Bhutto and his sister Benazir Bhutto had clear ideological differences. Benazir believed in democratic struggle, while Murtaza supported armed resistance. In 1996, when Benazir was Prime Minister, Murtaza launched his own political party “PPP (Shaheed Bhutto)” in Sindh and began openly criticizing the government. His speeches directly targeted Asif Ali Zardari and government policies.
The Night of the Murder: September 20, 1996
Murtaza Bhutto was killed on September 20, 1996, near his residence at 70 Clifton in Karachi during a police encounter. At the time, his sister Benazir Bhutto was the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Six of his companions were also killed. The incident occurred just two days after his birthday, while he was actively engaged in political activities.
Reasons Behind the Murder: Conspiracy or State Repression?
Several theories surround his assassination:
- Political Rivalry: His rising popularity and criticism of the government made him a threat.
- Family Tensions: His strained relationship with Asif Zardari is cited by some as a motive.
- State Involvement: Analysts suggest the police encounter was a staged operation to eliminate him.
The Bhutto Family: A Legacy of Sacrifice
| Person | Relation | Incident |
|----------------------|--------------|-----------------------------------|
| Zulfikar Ali Bhutto | Father | Executed in 1979 |
| Nusrat Bhutto | Mother | Political struggle, illness |
| Shahnawaz Bhutto | Brother | Mysterious death in France, 1985 |
| Benazir Bhutto | Sister | Assassinated in Rawalpindi, 2007 |
| Murtaza Bhutto | Brother | Killed in Karachi, 1996 |
The New Generation: Fatima Bhutto and Zulfikar Jr.
Fatima Bhutto, Murtaza’s daughter, is a renowned author and political analyst. She works on human rights and freedom of expression. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Jr., his son, uses art and culture to raise political awareness. Both are now actively working to redefine the Bhutto legacy.
Reflections from Senior Politicians
- Bashir Riaz (Former Advisor): “Benazir sent cake and flowers to Murtaza on his birthday. He was happy, but by evening, he was gone forever.”
- Najam Sethi: “Murtaza Bhutto was a political enigma, consumed by state repression and family politics.”
Sindh or Ideology?
The question still lingers: Was the Bhutto family punished for being from Sindh or for their ideology? The truth is, the Bhuttos always stood for public rights, democracy, and resistance—values that threatened powerful circles.
Was Murtaza Bhutto’s Death a Political Assassination?
Murtaza Bhutto’s death was not just a police encounter—it was a complex political conspiracy involving family tensions, state interference, and ideological conflict. His murder added another bloody chapter to the Bhutto family’s turbulent history
