The Bhutto Dynasty : The Struggle for Power in Pakistan

A major new investigation into the Bhutto family, examining their influence in Pakistan from the colonial era to the present day "Students of geopolitics and South Asia will find this a valuable book."— Kirkus Reviews “Fluently written, impeccably researched and never short of extraordinary insights, this is a landmark publication.”—Farzana Shaikh, Literary Review The Bhutto family has long been one of the most ambitious and powerful in Pakistan. But politics has cost the Bhuttos dear. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, widely regarded as the most talented politician in the country’s history, was removed from power in 1977 and executed two years later, at the age of 51. Of his four children, three met unnatural deaths: Shahnawaz was poisoned in 1985 at the age of 27; Murtaza was shot by the police outside his home in 1996, aged 42; and Benazir Bhutto, who led the Pakistan Peoples Party and became Prime Minister twice, was killed by a suicide bomber in Rawalpindi in 2007, aged 54. Drawing on original research and unpublished documents gathered over twenty years, Owen Bennett-Jones explores the turbulent existence of this extraordinary family, including their volatile relationship with British colonialists, the Pakistani armed forces, and the United States. A major new investigation into the Bhutto family, examining their influence in Pakistan from the colonial era to the present day "Students of geopolitics and South Asia will find this a valuable book."— Kirkus Reviews "Fluently written, impeccably researched and never short of extraordinary insights, this is a landmark publication."—Farzana Shaikh, Literary Review The Bhutto family has long been one of the most ambitious and powerful in Pakistan. But politics has cost the Bhuttos dear. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, widely regarded as the most talented politician in the country's history, was removed from power in 1977 and executed two years later, at the age of 51. Of his four children, three met unnatural deaths: Shahnawaz was poisoned in 1985 at the age of 27; Murtaza was shot by the police outside his home in 1996, aged 42; and Benazir Bhutto, who led the Pakistan Peoples Party and became Prime Minister twice, was killed by a suicide bomber in Rawalpindi in 2007, aged 54. Drawing on original research and unpublished documents gathered over twenty years, Owen Bennett-Jones explores the turbulent existence of this extraordinary family, including their volatile relationship with British colonialists, the Pakistani armed forces, and the United States. A major new investigation into the Bhutto family, examiningtheir influence in Pakistan from the colonial era to the presentday The Bhutto family has long been one of the mostambitious and powerful in Pakistan. But politics has cost theBhuttos dear. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, widely regarded as the mosttalented politician in the country's history, was removed frompower in 1977 and executed two years later, at the age of 51. Ofhis four children, three met unnatural deaths: Shahnawaz waspoisoned in 1985 at the age of 27; Murtaza was shot by the policeoutside his home in 1996, aged 42; and Benazir Bhutto, who led thePakistan Peoples Party and became Prime Minister twice, was killedby a suicide bomber in Rawalpindi in 2007, aged 54. Drawing onoriginal research and unpublished documents gathered over twentyyears, Owen Bennett-Jones explores the turbulent existence of thisextraordinary family, including their volatile relationship withBritish colonialists, the Pakistani armed forces, and the UnitedStates Contents Illustrations Acknowledgements Introduction 1 The Bhuttos and the Colonialists 2 Zulfikar’s Ascent 3 Zulfikar in Power 4 Zulfikar’s Downfall 5 The Bhuttos Resist 6 Benazir Triumphs 7 Benazir: Power and Exile 8 Assassination 9 the Dynasty’s Future A Note on Sources Notes Further Reading Index