Who is this Messiah You Have Killed?” – A Tribute to Benazir Bhutto

*Written By : Samira Gul*

The 17th death anniversary of the martyred leader, Benazir Bhutto, is being observed across the country with deep respect and reverence. I vividly remember that day in October 2007 when Bibi Shahid* returned after a long exile. Overwhelmed with excitement, we had rushed to Karachi to welcome her. We were five women from Rawalpindi, including two members of the Punjab Assembly. We were graciously hosted by the president of the Defense Housing Authority in Karachi. Indeed, hospitality is deeply ingrained in Sindhi culture. People from all corners of the country, ardent admirers of Shaheed Bhutto and Bibi Shahid, would warmly welcome fellow “Jiyalos” (loyalists) into their homes, extending hospitality according to their means.

We stayed at the president’s residence for two days. On October 18th, our host provided vehicles, and after breakfast, we set off for the airport. The scene on Shahrah-e-Faisal was extraordinary – a sea of people, more pedestrians than vehicles, stretched as far as the eye could see. Loyalists from across the nation had converged on the city. I had not witnessed the historic welcome of 1986 firsthand, only heard the legendary tales of how Ms. Bhutto had been greeted upon her return. The global media had also borne witness to this momentous occasion. Today, as I observed the multitude of people and the fluttering flags, I could vividly imagine the scale and fervor of that earlier welcome.

We traversed the route slowly, the convoy moving at a snail’s pace, finally reaching the airport after two to four hours. Tight security measures were in place. The country was under the rule of General Musharraf and his PML-Q government. Entry was strictly restricted, but I managed to navigate my way through the security cordon and reach the main gate. Police officers were only allowing entry to members of the assembly, and even then, only with the permission of MNA Fauzia Wahab. I managed to contact Fauzia Habib, another MNA, through my phone, and she secured my entry.

After a few hours of anticipation, Bibi Shahid emerged from the VIP lounge like a princess. She graciously met with us. Our group included Bibi Bilm Husnain, Rubina Qaim Khani, Bibi Uzra Bano, Sabiha Syed, and two MNAs from Sindh. We had the privilege of seeing our leader up close. She was escorted in a bulletproof vehicle, seated in the shade of the Quran with an amulet tied around her. We followed in our own vehicles, joining her convoy.

The journey, which should have taken minutes, felt like hours. At 11:30 pm, a devastating bomb blast erupted. Hundreds of workers were martyred. Bibi’s loyalists sacrificed their lives. Thousands were injured. Miraculously, Bibi Shahid survived the attack. She was advised to retreat to the safety of her home, but this was Benazir Bhutto, a woman of unparalleled strength and courage. Fear was alien to her character. That very day, she visited the injured workers and the families of the martyrs, offering solace and support. She addressed the public in a press conference, sending a clear message to the authorities: she would not be intimidated, she would not be deterred.

For the next 62 days, until December 27th, she tirelessly continued her political activities across all four provinces, never once retreating to the safety of her home. The election campaign commenced, forcing General Musharraf to relinquish his uniform. Despite the imposition of emergency following her departure from the country, she returned with unwavering determination to confront the oppressive regime. She fearlessly traveled to Balochistan to offer condolences to the Bugti leader, narrowly escaping another assassination attempt.

Then came the fateful evening of December 27th. A large public gathering was organized in Liaquat Bagh for the candidates of the Rawalpindi division. As the General Secretary of the Women’s Wing of Rawalpindi City, I was instructed to ensure maximum female participation in the rally. A few days prior, I had been honored with a direct meeting with our leader, Benazir Bhutto, at the residence of Zamurd Khan. During the meeting, Bibi graciously acknowledged me, addressing me by name and affectionately kissing the picture of my son that I held in my hand. She remarked, “You too are struggling, carrying the weight of your child just as I did with Bilawal,” a poignant reminder of our shared struggles. Tears welled up in my eyes. Here I was, a common worker, while she was the princess leader, the heir apparent, our leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. But she was Benazir, a woman of extraordinary character. She assured me, “Don’t worry, I will take care of you.” That single meeting was enough to mend any grievances I may have harbored regarding the local leadership.

I led a procession of all the women workers from my city, joined by my three sisters and my father. We arrived at Liaquat Bagh at 3 pm. The venue was overflowing with supporters, and the roads were teeming with people. Our early arrival allowed us to secure prime positions in the front row. Our leader graced the stage, accompanied by the local leadership. Qazi Mahmood Sultan presented her with a prepared speech, which she read with a smile, though it did not become the focal point of her address. Malik Sher Ahmed and Malik Hakim presented her with a garland, and Zamurd Khan offered her a cup of coffee. After taking a sip, our princess leader discreetly applied lipstick from her purse, shielding the action from the public gaze by positioning Farzana Raja in front of her. She then delicately dabbed her lips with a tissue to soften the color, but the flush of martyrdom on her cheeks, a testament to her unwavering courage, could not be concealed.

Following the speeches of the local leadership, it was Bibi’s turn to address the crowd. She delivered a powerful and moving speech, her words resonating with passion and conviction. She pledged to bring peace to Swat and vowed to sacrifice her life to uphold democracy. She also promised to work towards economic stability for the unemployed youth, workers, and farmers of the country. In conclusion, she raised the hands of all the candidates from the Rawalpindi division and implored them, “If you succeed, remember the workers sitting on the cold ground, remember the impoverished people of this city. Work for their betterment, for the progress of this city. Address their concerns and alleviate their suffering.” The crowd responded with resounding cheers, pledging their allegiance to their leader.

Then, she descended from the stage and boarded her vehicle. Suddenly, the unexpected occurred. Her vehicle veered off course, and an unknown crowd materialized. In a desperate attempt to acknowledge them, our courageous leader leaned out of the car window and fell victim to an unseen bullet. A deafening explosion followed, and our leader, Bibi Shahid, was martyred. Many workers shared her fate. The heart cries out, “O tyrant, who is this Messiah you have killed?” Every drop of her blood, instead of staining the earth, seems to have seeped into the hearts of her followers, forever etched in their memories. Even after 17 years, her workers continue to illuminate her path with their unwavering devotion, paying homage to the martyred queen.