Smokers’ Corner: Know your Bhuttos
In the last few months I’ve been receiving a number of emails from some young Pakistanis asking me to define ‘Bhuttoism’. Interestingly, most of them seem to be Imran Khan supporters.
An ‘ism’ is a noun-forming suffix denoting a specific doctrine or theory — Marxism, Leninism, fundamentalism, monarchism, communism, capitalism, Zionism, Islamism. These are only a handful among hundreds out there that have been used by politicians, ideologues and historians. Sometimes elements from a well known ‘ism’ are fused with confined political conditions to generate localised versions of that ‘ism’.
For example, when Russian revolutionary, Vladimir Lenin, added his own thoughts to Marxism to adjust classical Marxist theory to the on-ground realities of Russia, his manoeuvre became known as Marxist-Leninism. The same way, when Chinese revolutionary Mao Tse Tung did the same in Chinese settings, his move came to be known as Maoism.
Over the decades there has been further fragmentation in the variety of political thought, and here lie ‘isms’ associated with the policies of individuals who (unlike Marx, Lenin or Mao), were not necessarily political philosophers. Nasserism (associated with Egypt’s Gamal Nasser), Khomeini-ism (Iran’s revolutionary and spiritual leader, Imam Khomeini), Reaganism (former right-wing US president) and Thatcherism (famous conservative prime minister of the UK), are a few examples.
Such ‘isms’ also exist in Pakistan. One of the most used in this country is ‘Bhuttoism’. Interestingly, according to some leading former members of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) who were associated with the outfit in the late 1960s and 1970s, the term ‘Bhuttoism’ did not appear during the PPP’s first government headed by Z A Bhutto (1972-77). Instead, they suggest that this term was first coined by members of the student-wing of the PPP, the People’s Students Federation (PSF) in 1978 in Karachi.
It began to appear as political graffiti on the walls of the universities and colleges in Karachi mainly during the beginning of the tussle between the Ziaul Haq dictatorship and the PPP. General Zia had toppled the elected government of the PPP chairman Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in a military coup in July 1977 and then sent him to jail on charges of murder. In 1979 Bhutto was sentenced to death through a sham trial.
Initially the main opposition to the Zia dictatorship came from progressive student groups before mainstream political parties led by the PPP formed the first major anti-Zia alliance, the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy (MRD) in 1981. As the Zia regime began to patronise and allow the arming of right-wing organisations, especially the Jamat-i-Islami backed IJT, PSF responded by becoming the first anti-Zia student group to begin arming itself as well.
In 1979 IJT introduced the Russian automatic rifle, Kalashnikov, in the growlingly violent battlefield of student politics in Pakistan and consequently, in the late 1970s, PSF’s Karachi president, Salamullah Tipu, formed a tight knit armed militant wing within the PSF to challenge IJT’s rise. This was also the group whose members (including Tipu) escaped to Afghanistan that was then under the control of a Soviet-backed communist regime.
Tipu joined the Pakistani left-wing guerrilla, terrorist outfit, Al-Zulfikar Organisation (AZO) that was based in Kabul. As a frontline AZO operative, Tipu used some of his closest associates in PSF to hijack a PIA plane from Karachi (March, 1981) and force it to first land in Kabul and then fly to Damascus in Syria. Tipu’s demand of getting more than 50 political prisoners released from Zia’s jails was met and the hijackers got asylum in Syria, Libya and Afghanistan.
As Tipu and his group of hijackers were descending from the plane in Damascus, TV cameras (of western media outlets) focussed on Tipu who began shouting, ‘We want Bhuttoism!’ This was the first time the term ‘Bhuttoism’ appeared in mainstream media, in spite of the fact that the PPP’s young co-chairperson and Z A Bhutto’s daughter, Benazir Bhutto, (who was a political prisoner in Pakistan at the time), denounced the hijacking and publicly castigated the AZO which was being headed by her brother, Murtaza Bhutto.
PPP leaders avoided using the term ‘Bhuttoism’ in the 1980s, mainly because, thanks to the AZO, it had become synonymous with terrorism. To men like Tipu and the radical youth of his generation, ‘Bhuttoism’ had meant a socialist revolution (in the context of Pakistan) and ‘awami raj’ (people’s rule) as promised by former prime minister, Z A Bhutto.
However, in the 1990s ‘Bhuttoism’ came to be understood as a call to maintain a democratic struggle against military intervention and upholding the supremacy of democracy. After Benazir Bhutto’s tragic assassination in December 2007, the term ‘Bhuttoism’ (now openly used by mainstream PPP leadership), has become associated more with the ideas of Benazir Bhutto rather than of her father.
Thus, today ‘Bhuttoism’ may mean a left-liberal political philosophy that advocates the elimination of Islamic extremism and poverty through sustained social democracy. Its core thought, rather ideological manifestation, has shifted from meaning a struggle to bring about a ‘democratic-socialist revolution’ (and avenge the ‘judicial murder’ of Z A Bhutto), to suggesting that ‘democracy is the best revenge’ — a slogan first used by Benazir Bhutto shortly before her assassination in 2007.
Legacy of ZAB & his Bhuttoism – Dynastic & inherited leadership in the person of BB & now Zardari. It has no place for grass root leadership.
Bhuttoism – ZAB was product of feudalism,worked under military dictator Ayub Khan. ZAB was not a Castro or Che Guevara. He was a feudal and remained so till the end.I don't need to know his 'ism'.
All compromises to bring this country to stone age is what Bhuttoism is.
As far as I am concerned Bhuttoism means divide Pakistan into two and if possible more than two,go to the highest level of corruption,collapse all the institutions of this country,eliminate poverty by eliminating poor people and the list is endless.
Bhuttoism was born and died with ZAB.
Paracha writes: "Marxism, Leninism, fundamentalism, monarchism, communism, capitalism, Zionism, Islamism."
It is simply shameful and unacceptable that Islam is stated as an "ism". This is what Bhuttoism stands for: to insult Islam.
The editor who allowed this should resign or at least apologize. "Liberals" like NFP usually betray their real outlook toward Islam.
Try and read the article again. NFP never said that the religion ISLAM was Islamism.
@ Pro Bono.
History's only consistently successful virus is vested interest, that ate every ism from within and Islam is no exception. The Post Bono of all man-made ideologies, including the one which initiated with altruistic intentions is anything but altruistic. I have faith that Islam would eventually defeat this virus because it is an ideology made by god for humans.
NFP! Please wake up. It's 2012, not 1970s; Zardarism, not Bhuttoism. Perhaps you can write something about dinosaurs as they're also extinct.
I have been reading you since matric,now i am a graduate.I belong from the province where after every two days either a student is abducted or a new mutilated body of a student or an educated person is dumped.
Are we Balochs worse than animals that no one raises voice against this genocide of innocent Balochs who just demand their basic rights??
Can you please explain to us whats going on and who is responsible for genocide in Balochistan???
If it is india, then why we have given MFN status to india? If you have any proof that Balochs are indian agents then bring them before court and hang them after proving them traitors…..
will desperately wait for your answers.
I have seen a map which was being circulated on net 4 years b4, with a devide of pakistan as balochistan with afghanistan & so on….
Today is the day! CONGRESS HAS SET IT finally.
NFP, you are right on the money. "Bhuttoism" may be a relatively loose term that may not represent a well-documented political philosophy, but it is the best alternate available that captures the history of struggle of the progressive forces in Pakistan against extremism and anti-democratic elements in the Pakistani society, over the last 35 years. The term "Bhuttoism" provides an ideal symbolism to the Pakistani people who badly need to bring some clarity through the ongoing retrogressive chaos.
Bhutto's party with name like PPP was bound to have some traction.It was n't what it sounded.Instead of grass root, progressive party, it has become a dynastic party.End of Bhuttoism if there was any.
And how would our dear friend NFP describe the the expression of Bhuttoism through the term "Bilawal Bhutto Zardari" . To a political novice like me it appears as zardarism being a legacy of bhuttoism.
This is long time ago. In 1978-79 I was the President of SPSF Liaquat Medical college Jamshoro. I never remember using the term "Bhuttoism".
Rewriting history and blaming Bhutto for dismemberment of pakistan is silly.
Prior to Bhuttoism, right after 1965 war, Bhutto left the Martial Law government of Ayub Khan and with his famous lie: Roti, Kapra aur Makan, he propagated ISLAMIC SOCIALISM. Our media helped him in its propagation…. the rest if history.
Fully agree with most of the article other then the last paragraph. Not sure how author concluded that bhuttoism is for elimination of Islamic extremism. Bhuttoism is simply a name used by wadera to come and stay in power.
ZAB started his mission rightly as it was a need but latter backtracked to his feudal background,compromised on several issues and brought known feudal figures in to politics who are still with us.SHAME.
Hey NFP, I have serious reservations about your last paragraph, especially the part about elimination of poverty through democracy. I believe (by observation over the last 3 PPP tenures) Bhuttoism is the use of the name of Bhutto to further the family wealth. If you want to take about fantasy of elimination of poverty, you don't have to look any further than Nodero, Larkana. NONE of the last 3 PPP governments have done anything for the poor … and have only served the Jialias.
On a side note, you mentioned elimination of Islamic extremism in the same paragraph. How would a person like yourself, who has a keen eye on the country's history, comment about the fact that the actual Taliban Movement in Afghanistan was started under the BB government by Gen Naseerullah Babar (if I am not mistaken)
i agree..not only that but the sikh separatists in india were all the result of the bhutto era…elimination of poverty was a facade not by virtue of hard work but through violence..'grab what you can to hell with who owns what'' except for larkana..if the message was against feudalism why didnt they let go of their own landholdings
it was double standards and street violence, it is good to see them evolve into more more sophisticated and peaceful versions of corruption.
Someone, with a rational mind, please tell what have Bhuttos or Zardaris achieved for the nation. Those who wish to respond please only do so with hard facts. None of this stuff on how great leaders were/are Bhuttos. One is made great due to ones achievements. So please focus on hard achievements, such as; Agricultural reform, tax, police, judiciary, legal, education, economic reforms, standard of living, etc. Unless we can back up Bhutooism with these hard facts, the sad reality is that Bhuttos, as nice people as they may be, do not have or have not demonstrated or implemented any ideology… beyond power for power sake… sorry to have offended Bhutto supporters…
Bhuttoism is the name of a continuous struggle againt tyranny and oppressive power, to establish the will of people and rule of law and justice, and during the course give sacrifices to whatever extreme, without getting bogged down. That is what exactly Z.A. Bhutto and Benazir and scores of PPP workers did. Asif Zardari also languished on jails for 11 years without a compromise or conviction. Once basic objectives fully achieved, Bhuttoism is the name of a struggle against poverty and extremism.
It is because of Bhuttoism that leaders like Nawaz Sharif who ran away after signing 10 year agreement with Musharraf is now free to live in Pakistan without any fear. Imran Khan who often used to go underground during lawyers movement due to fear of being beaten or jailed by Musharaf, now claims to be the most popular leader and says whatever he likes without any fear of again going underground.
My friend I can write a book on achievements of Bhuttoism which is yet to achieve its ultimate objective.
I think we should send the entire current, completely inept and corrupt government to jail to make sure the struggle continues.
My dear Irfan, There is something called brain washing which should be credited to Bhuttoism. It is nothing but a slogan to gain power and loot people's money. Roti Kapra and Makan is a sham. How many persons have roti,kapra and makan as a result of ppp. Even the money earmarked for flood victims has not reached them. Many are still languishing in the camps and they will continue to do so until the next floods.
hi can you pls check history and tell me that who made the steel mill , kamra complex, atomic bomb and islamic bank. Who started friday as holiday, who gave us constitution , and who banned alcohol sales, and who termed qadianiz as nonmuslims. Guys pls check the facts before taking about mr bhutto and his family. Thanks
Again I see no hard facts. 'Bhuttoism is the name of a continuous struggle against changing the status quo, to establish the will of its leader under the name of 'democracy' and define its own rule of law and justice, and during the course give sacrifices to whatever extreme to maintain feudalism, poverty and slavery as well as nepotism and illiteracy, without getting bogged down'. How is that for definition. If the population like to be hoodwinked with dodgy slogans, they deserve what they get.
Irfan, did not BB and Zardari made the deal with dictator and got all of their corruption charges removed through NRO? Is this call struggle against poverty and extremism
The phrase "Bhutto-ism" prevalence stems from the random web graffitti of internet comment board. And it would be so, because many young people became aware of it, as the author notes, only in recent years, and likely through the internet. The discussion about Bhuttoism, when it references Benazir, seems more relevant, in an emotionally painful way. Benazir was only the most famous of the 35,000 or so Pakistanis killed in the last four years.
Benazir was the only multi-billionare among the 35000 victims of terror in our land.
Bhuttos ka peecha choro. bus kardo bhai ab.
Why should we leave Bhutto's path? Should we follow Zia or forces who backed sham rule of Zia? Should we invite military to run the government and break Pakistan into pieces as they did before? Bhuttoism is the guiding principle for us. He is our mentor. Those who claim to bring a change in Pakistan are hypocrites. They call themselves liberals and endorse the agenda of Difa e Pakistan Council (a consortium of terrorist organisations)
Who cares?
Bhutto-ism is not complete without mentioning the fact that it was ZAB who was behind the 1965 and 1971 conflicts that left Pakistan in a none too happy situation.
It was ZAB who convinced Ayub Khan to attack India in 1965.
He mistakenly assumed that the 1962 war with China had proven that India was weak and the death of Nehru had left India even weaker. Operation Gibraltar and Operation Grandslam did not end in victory for Pakistan and Ayub Khan had to step down.
In 1971, he refused to step aside after losing the election fair and square against Mujibur Rehman. Instead he egged Yahya Khan to step up military action resulting in the deaths of "many" Bangladeshis and led to the secession of the majority of the country's population.
Skipping these accomplishments, makes articles about Bhutto seem biased and one sided.
@Mr. Rehman,
Bhuttoism does not encompass every act of Mr. Bhutto. NFP's definition is only restricted to what it means for people who support democracy against military rule. He could have written more !
Your criticism about Operation Gibralter is fair but the final decision to go to war with India rested with the Field Marshall. Similarly one can not blame the VP Cheany & Defense Sec. Donald Rumsfeld for advising Bush to go & invade Iraq. The mess in Iraq and the decision rested with George Bush & he has to take the blame for it.
As far as 1970 elections, Yahya should have transferred power to Mujib but the W. Pak establishment never wanted a Bengali Prime Minister with his six points to frame a new constitution. How can you blame an opposition leader of W. Pakistan? Again the resposibility was of the military rulers.
Yahya Khan was the CMLA during the 1971. Who could have stopped him from transferring power to Mujib? if he really wanted to do that. The process of break-up of Pakistan started much before the events of 1971.
ZAB could share some blame in providing a political cover to the military operation. The western based military/bureaucratic and corporate interests did not want to share power with Bengalis right from day one.
I agree 100 % with Mr U Hussain and Mr Sarpat Khan.
It was the ruler of the time and not any opposition leader who
had the authority to transfer power to the legitimate winner.
It is a fact that we treated the Bengalis as we are treating the Balochis. You need brain not bullet to resolve political issues.
Reply to Mr. Rehman's comments: Zafar Jafri had already said it best. If we are not going to learn from our history, history will forget us too. Stop blaming ZAB for all the Military rulers mistakes. ZAB made some of his own mistakes like all powerful politicians do, but none were this damaging as Ayub, Yahya, Zia.