Benazir Bhutto

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Lore & Background

Benazir Bhutto was born into the Bhutto family of Sindh. Her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, was a barrister and statesman who served as the fourth president of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973 and as the ninth prime minister from 1973 until his overthrow in 1977. He was controversially tried and executed in 1979, a trial later declared 'unfair' by the Supreme Court of Pakistan. After his execution, Benazir and her mother Nusrat took control of the PPP. Benazir served twice as prime minister, and her husband, Asif Ali Zardari, later served twice as president. Her father's legacy remains contentious, praised for nationalist and secular internationalist agenda, yet criticized for economic challenges, political repression and human rights abuses. He is often referred to as the Quaid-e-Awām ('the People's Leader') by his supporters.

Reader's Guide

Benazir Bhutto's significance lies in her role as the first woman to lead a democratic government in a Muslim-majority country, a milestone that made her a global symbol of women's political empowerment. Her career was marked by a struggle between her liberal, secularist agenda and conservative and Islamist forces, including the military and presidency. Her two terms were cut short by dismissals on corruption and nepotism charges, and her later years were overshadowed by corruption inquiries and self-exile. Opinions on her remain deeply divided: critics saw her as inexperienced and corrupt, while supporters praised her as a champion of democracy. Posthumously, she came to be regarded as an icon for women's rights due to her political success in a male-dominated society.

Did You Know?

• Benazir Bhutto was the daughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who founded the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) in 1967 and served as both president and prime minister of Pakistan.
• Her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, was controversially tried and executed in 1979, a trial later declared 'unfair' by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
• Her husband, Asif Ali Zardari, served twice as president of Pakistan.
• Zulfikar Ali Bhutto is often referred to as the Quaid-e-Awām ('the People's Leader') by his supporters.