Leaders Highlight Bhutto’s Global Vision at Arts Council Seminar

By: Aziz Khatri

 Karachi: The Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi organized a special ceremony at Auditorium One to mark the 47th death anniversary of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, under the title “Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (Global Vision & Contemporary Conflicts)”.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah attended as the chief guest. Prominent speakers included Muhammad Ahmed Shah, Mushahid Hussain Syed, Raza Rabbani, Sohail Warraich, Saeed Ghani, Huma Baqai, Dr Jaffar Ahmed, and Mazhar Abbas. The session was moderated by Dr Ayub Sheikh.

The ceremony was also attended by senior leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party, including Nisar Khuhro, Waqar Mehdi, Salman Abdullah Murad, and Farhan Ghani, among others.

The event commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran followed by the national anthem. In his address, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said that the life and achievements of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto require no introduction, as his legacy remains deeply embedded in Pakistan’s history. He highlighted Bhutto’s vision of strengthening ties with China, which later became a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and economic strategy.

He further noted that Bhutto emphasized unity among Muslim countries and possessed a deep understanding of global geopolitics. Referring to current tensions in the Middle East, he remarked that Bhutto’s leadership might have helped prevent such crises. He also underscored Bhutto’s historic decision to initiate Pakistan’s nuclear program, which laid the foundation for the country’s strategic defense capabilities.

President Arts Council Muhammad Ahmed Shah said that Bhutto recognized the importance of culture and was instrumental in establishing cultural institutions in Pakistan. He recalled Bhutto’s association with the Arts Council and described the Shimla Agreement as one of his major diplomatic achievements. He added that despite serving only four and a half years in power, Bhutto empowered workers and marginalized communities, giving them a sense of dignity and confidence.

Speakers also discussed global conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, linking many wars to competition over natural resources such as oil, gas, and water. Raza Rabbani observed that global powers continue to compete for control of these resources and recalled Bhutto’s warning to Arab countries in the 1970s about the need for unity.

Mushahid Hussain Syed remarked that Bhutto lives on through his achievements, including making Pakistan the first nuclear power in the Muslim world and establishing strategic international relationships. Sohail Warraich noted that societies often fail to recognize great leaders in their lifetime and termed Bhutto’s execution a major setback for democratic evolution in Pakistan.

Saeed Ghani described Bhutto as a visionary leader who founded the Pakistan Peoples Party at a young age and achieved remarkable milestones in a short period. Senior journalist Mazhar Abbas highlighted Bhutto’s intellectual depth, noting that even during imprisonment, he continued to write insightful analyses on global affairs.

Academic Huma Baqai shared that studying Bhutto’s contributions fosters a sense of pride, while Dr Jaffar Ahmed concluded that Bhutto played a pivotal role in placing Pakistan on a democratic path as its first elected Prime Minister.

The speakers collectively emphasized that the vision, policies, and legacy of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto continue to influence Pakistan’s political thought, foreign policy, and democratic aspirations even decades after his passing.