Bhuttoo's Murder & probe questions by Amjad Malik, MA, LLM

Pakistani nation amongst a few in the history of modern times who witnesses helplessly the political and physical  assassination of any potential  rising leader at the hands of mighty  clan of few in last 60 years.  After the death of Barrister Jinnah, the nation felt that Liaqat Ali khan will take the mission forward but unfortunately he was shot in front of his own people at Municipal Graden Rawalpindi in a daylight and shooter was shot dead at the spot.  Another popular leader emerged within a martial law of Gen Ayub Khan and we saw the fate of Zulfiqar Ali Bhuttoo whom western world called "˜zulfi' a man with a vision and passion for his country who not only inaugurated the idea of making this nation an atomic power but also signed to bring infrastructure as well as the man with know how. He successfully advanced the country on the route to progress front nationally as well as on foreign front but when his wisdom and skills came nearer to serve Pakistan at the highest level he was sent to gallows and "˜was made an example' as he himself warned. His death was a fatal blow to the state of Pakistan.  Even Gen Zia on 17 August 1987 was removed by a plane crash the reasons of which is yet to be probed fairly. Then came a businessman who aspired to translate this declining economy a vibrant, powerful and  progressive market and bridge in between hot waters and states of Asia and his first reign was called a way to turning this country a "˜tiger of Asia' as said by a top magazine of its time. However his rule was toppled yet again by a powerful military dictator and he was exiled in 2000 for the 7 years slot. And  last on 27 December 2007, at the surroundings of Liaqat Bagh stadium twice Premier Be Nazir Bhuttoo was killed in mysterious circumstances and was removed from the scene thus signalling that any leader will have to work with establishment or else face the unfortunate fate.

Now the million dollar question is who will probe this tragedy. If the victim party is serious to probe their leader's death then they will have to come up with the demand of probe first and power later and if they wish to gain political advantage or sympathy vote then they will have to move forward, I feel trying to achieve both may result in getting none. If they are truly after the mystery killing  a serious concerted effort may be carried out to probe the facts, cause of death and perpetrators behind this attack and may reach nearer to a stage where the hand behind it seems a little obvious but may not know exactly who was it. We have seen in the case of Princess Diana of England and Wales who was queen of hearts was killed in a car accident in Paris and years on we are still wrangling questions about her death. John F Kennedy United States President was shot dead in a day light akin to Benazir Bhutto like situation and we are yet to know the truth. US, UK or Pakistan political murders are a mystery maze  and unless local establishment is honestly desirous to know the truth, its seldom found.

Now the question  is who will probe, I think national investigative agencies under a high powered judicial commission which is powerful enough to commission reports from all quarters consisting of a top non controversial SC judge ideally form Sindh, top military official (at least current or former Chief of Army Staff)  and top doctor (international renowned or credible) which may take assistance and rely on foreign as well as national forensic and technical support may probe the few obvious questions as to cause of death and people who physically did it and who are behind it and it can be done locally as long as Pakistani administration is serious to assist and cooperate with that high powered commission. That is only possible if the govt have not made up their mind already as to who has killed and what has caused her death and looking at interior Ministry's negligent press statements after the death supports the latter. In any event, if the consensus is achieved in establishing that Commission, it may find the answers to obvious questions as to the cause of death, and who did it like they did in the case of assassination attempt on then Chief of Army Staff cum President General Pervez Mushrraf. Finding truth now after 4 serious top level killings in only 60 years is a matter of national importance, public interest and nation's pride internationally which affects our status in the community of nations. If they are not serious then UN Commission or other Western countries may not be effective as well if not seriously and honestly aided locally and they too will come to a standstill at some point on the issue of who is behind it or they may find answers to easy questions and at a stage to find the last question as to who did it, the guess work may be used to aid the national interest of their countries if nothing clear and not the interest of Pakistan as a state .Pakistan which is strategically placed at a hot pot and centre of media frenzy due to being an atomic power does not deserve this treatment so giving the country in foreign hands s to play about on that serious question at a volatile time is not an ideal and practical way of reaching to the answers of the question which has become a national demand in unanimity. Whilst we must all call for justice with Be Nazir Bhuttoo still we must ask that the justice must be seen to be done. Musharraf regime will also be considering now after loosing the non controversial judges who could have handled this probe which could have given credibility even if they do not reach to the heart of questions but the damage has already been done by his own hands by nipping his own top judiciary and free media, the support he needed in this time of serious crisis of credibility.

Its time to change the course of our country and gem the crowd of people into a nation of 160 million towards building the country a strong and powerful developing  tolerant Pakistan which has a role in community of Western and Islamic nations and  realise too the danger the country is facing and  that is not possible if from today we do not initiate the process of self accountability and march towards justice for all in our society. Establishment should look towards detained judges, incarcerated lawyers, martyred political leaders like Liaqat Ali, Bhuttoo's, and confined heroes like Qadeer khan and disappointed Imran Khan and out of race Nawaz Sharif and  ask a very simple question what was the main objective in obtaining Pakistan from the colonial powers and are we truly serving the state as was envisaged and chartered by its founder Mr. Jinnah, and why our popular political leadership meets the similar fate in their late 50's when they are needed the most and are removed from power and scene mysteriously and is it not the time to stop at any price if we are to progress further . Shall we not call an accountability on that very question first.

Amjad Malik is a Solicitor-Advocate of the Supreme Court (England) and a life member of Supreme Court Bar Association as well as Vice Chair of Association of Pakistani Lawyers (UK).

4 January 2008