Fatima pooh-poohs birthright politics
by Nilma Dole
There is more to Fatima Bhutto
than just her pretty face. Bubbling with charismatic appeal, she is a
beautiful woman with intelligence that exudes when she speaks in her
American accent.
It was a rare treat when she came to Sri Lanka for the first time to
participate in a discussion held by the Galle Literary Festival
organising committee, chaired by Geoffrey Dobbs.
Speaking everything about her famous grandfather, former Pakistan PM
and President, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto to her even famous aunt the late
Benazir Bhutto, Fatima proved that she still believed in the cause of
saving Pakistan for future generations despite the crisis that prevails
there.
“My advice to all Pakistanis around the world is that it’s not too
late to come back and save Pakistan. Anyone can contribute in any way to
bring hope to Pakistan so please come and contribute to a peaceful and
corrupt-free Pakistan;” she said with a heart of hope.
Fatima Bhutto was born on 29 May 1982 in Kabul Afghanistan while her
father Murtaza Bhutto was in exile during General Zia ul Haq’s military
regime. Growing up quite in fear and running from country to country,
Fatima said that she started understanding more about Pakistani politics
when her father was planning to get revenge from the General for
executing her grandfather.
“I remember my father would ask for my advice on something he’d
written like I was an adult. I certainly had strong views about what he
would write and he would kindly consider them instead of getting mad for
my bluntness” she said about Murtaza Bhutto, who eventually died in a
police encounter in 1996 since he was strongly against Benazir’s
government as she sided with her husband Asif Ali Zardari rather than
her brother.
Today, Fatima is a Pakistani poetess, writer and journalist who
contributes to various publications like ‘The Daily Beast’ and the ‘New
Statesman’. She gained instant recognition when she published her first
book, a collection of poems, titled ‘Whispers of the Desert’ at the age
of 15 which she dedicated to her father, “To my darling Papa, with all
the love in the world…this is our story.”
Her second book ‘8.50 a.m. 8 October 2005’ highlights the moment in
Pakistan’s north when thousands perished as a major earthquake jolted
the region from Islamabad to the valleys of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Fatima Bhutto saw the devastation in the affected areas to record and
compile the inspiring stories of the victims and volunteers as a tribute
to their hope, courage and resilience in the face of calamity.
Fatima is active in Pakistan’s socio-political arena also helping
with a women’s charity in Pakistan where she is also addressing honour
killing issues.
Fatima has also been an icon in certain respects when some gossip
columns hinted she was romantically involved with George Clooney for
which she says, “Everyone wants to make a story when you’ve got a
certain name” she commented.
Murtaza Bhutto, was son of former Pakistan’s President and Prime
Minister, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, and her mother is Fauzia Fasihudin
Bhutto, daughter of Afghanistan’s former Foreign Affair official. Her
uncle Shahwananaz married her mother’s sister Rehana but when he died at
27 years and the reason had been poisoning, Murtaza divorced his wife
since Rehana was still considered a suspect. Fauzia even tried to gain
parental control of Fatima to no avail. Meanwhile, Rehana was acquitted
and she went to the U.S. where she
lives with their child Sassi Bhutto. Both Fatima and Sassi have paid
their respects to their Benazir after coming back to Pakistan.
Eventually Murtaza married Ghinwa Bhutto, of Syrian-Lebanese descent
who became her stepmother in 1989 and Fatima is quite close to her.
Bhutto graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Middle Eastern studies from
the Barnard College, Columbia University, after receiving her secondary
education at the Karachi American School.
She then obtained a Master’s degree in South Asian Studies from the
School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London (SOAS).
She lives with her stepmother Ghinwa Bhutto, and her half-brother
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Jr. They live at the famous residence 70, Clifton
Road in Old Clifton, Karachi which is known as “Karachi’s oldest and
plushest suburb.” |
