Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday paid a rich tribute to Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) founder and former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto stating that his visionary leadership, independent foreign policy and commitment to empowering the common folks continued to shape Pakistan’s direction even today.
Addressing a conference, titled ‘Zulfikar Ali Bhutto: Global Vision and Contemporary Conflicts’, organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP), the CM said Bhutto laid the foundation of a foreign policy based on strategic autonomy, refusing to align Pakistan with any global bloc.
“Zulfikar Ali Bhutto believed in an independent foreign policy that safeguarded Pakistan’s national interests. He chose principles over power and even resigned from office for the sake of the country,” he said.
Shah noted that Bhutto was among the first global leaders to recognise the strategic importance of China and laid the foundation of Pak-China friendship in as early as 1966. “Today, we talk about CPEC, but Mr Bhutto had envisioned this partnership decades ago. The strength of Pak-China relations today is rooted in his foresight,” he added.
He remarked that Bhutto introduced the concept of the ‘Global South’ and worked to unite developing nations on a common platform. He also recalled that Bhutto played a historic role in uniting the Muslim world during the 1974 Islamic Summit and gave a strong voice to the Palestinian cause. “Bhutto Shaheed was one of the strongest voices for Palestine in the world. Today’s injustices are a reflection of the absence of that kind of leadership,” he remarked, expressing concern over the current situation in the Middle East.
Shah said that if Bhutto were alive today, the Muslim Ummah would not have faced such challenges. The CM also credited the PPP founder with laying the foundation of Pakistan’s nuclear programme and strengthening its defence after the 1971 war.
“Despite losing half the country and facing immense challenges, Zulfikar Bhutto restored the nation’s confidence and set Pakistan on the path to becoming a nuclear power,” he said. He also highlighted Bhutto’s firm stance on Kashmir, calling it an unfinished agenda of Partition, and added that Bhutto’s speeches at the United Nations remained a source of guidance.
Praising Bhutto’s political philosophy, the CM said he transformed Pakistan’s politics by empowering ordinary citizens. “Before Shaheed Bhutto, politics was dominated by elites. He brought the common man to the centre of power and taught dignity, equality and political awareness,” he remarked.
Shah shared anecdotes reflecting Bhutto’s simplicity, recalling how he would sit with farmers breaking traditional class barriers. “He changed the culture of governance by making leaders accessible to the people,” he pointed out.
The CM said Pakistan’s current foreign policy successes were deeply rooted in Bhutto’s vision, adding that the government continued to draw guidance from his principles. “Today’s world order is moving towards the same ideas that Shaheed Bhutto advocated decades ago,” he asserted.
Shah announced that the 47th death anniversary of Bhutto would be observed with respect and solemnity across Sindh today (Saturday). “In view of the current national situation, the anniversary will be marked at district level with Quran Khawani and prayers, in line with the guidance of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari,” he said.
He also thanked the ACP and its leadership for organising a dignified event to honour Bhutto’s legacy. “Bhutto Shaheed’s sacrifices are a guarantee of Pakistan’s strength and survival. Leaders like him are born once in a century,” he concluded.
