BhuttoSahib and Benazir Bhutto were both firm believers that intricate issues such asKashmir cannot be left in the hands of generals, says Ambassador Shamsul Hassanin his book, "Life with the Bhuttos."
Hassansays Bhutto often quoted famous French statesman Georges Clemenceau that war istoo important to be left to the generals.
"BhuttoSahib had a foresight at some time Benazir Bhutto would be the one who wouldhave to preside over the affairs of the Pakistani state", he adds.
"However,I can share with you that her late father martyred Zulfikar Ali Bhutto,described as an icon of a statesman by Dr. Henry Kissinger in the century,selected Bibi to be his political heir when he had seen blossom in her a leaderbeyond ordinary comprehensions. He did not take her to Simla to see thepicturesque Hill Station that had served as Raj's summer capital in India buthe wanted her to meet Prime Minister Indira Gandhi with whom later she wouldhave to sort out relations with India including settling the Kashmirissue," he adds.
Hassanadds that had Benazir Bhutto been alive along with Indira Gandhi or RajivGandhiethey would have both garnered the Simla spirit into action.
Asa close relation of the Bhutto family, Ambassador Wajid Shamsul Hasan, writes amuch-awaited book aptly titled "Life with the Bhuttos."
In1997, Hasan underwent various legal battles and period of third-degree torturedue to his long association with the Bhutto family. Always an unapologeticproponent of democracy and freedom of media, Hasan was a close aide of PMBenazir Bhutto during her term.
Thebook will cover the real-life experiences of Wajid Shamsul Hasan and attempt todisprove and correct some of the "truths" about the Bhutto family.
AmbassadorWajid Shamsul Hassan is the former High Commissioner of Pakistan to UK. He wasthe longest-serving Pakistani High Commissioner to UK. Along with being adiplomat, he is also a political activist and a veteran journalist. AmbassadorWajid Shamsul Hassan was long associated with the Bhutto family. He has spentmany years with martyred PM Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, Asif Zardari and PMZulfikar Ali Bhutto.
Hasanwas tortured and prosecuted for many years by anti-Bhutto elements in Pakistan,particularly Senator Saifur Rehman to turn against the Bhutto family andtestify against Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
Aman of many talents, he was also a special advisor to Benazir Bhutto. The book"Life with the Bhuttos" covers his extensive history with the Bhuttofamily. He is a beacon of morality and a source of emulation among the youngjournalists now facing Gestapo-like victimisation by the current Pakistaniregime.
Excerptsfrom an interview:
QWajid Sahab you have written a book which everyone would like to read. Tell usabout this book.
AThank you for your questions about my book e covering a period of over 50years-- My life with the Bhuttos. I have not minced any words in expressingmyself candidly as much as possible, in answering you.
QI'm going to ask a straight question: anything you wanted to write in this bookbut decided not to write?
AIndeed, I have not avoided writing anything since the book has come at a timewhen I have entered my 80th year and I am racing against time. If I were toavoid anything it would be no use to posterity. It will go down wastefully inmy chest. Rest assured that I have neither avoided writing anything nor have Ikept any secrets. However, one word I am fully aware of the predicaments facedby former DG ISI General Asad Durrani who has written three professional booksin collaboration with former Indian RAW chief Dulat. Durrani is beingunnecessarily put to hassle by his former colleagues out of sheer jealousy.Ultimately, I am sure his critics will have the flak on their faces. Myresponse to your 'straight question' about not writing anything that I wantedto write is settled. Everything is here for you and your readers to discern.
QI know this fact from almost twenty years about your proximity to Benazir andeven Bilawal also said this: She trusted you always. Tell us about yourrelationship with Benazir?
AWhat a question! Indeed, you have asked me to put together millions of words,articles and hours spent together with our "Beloved Bibi" from 1972until her assassination in 2007. Indeed, a Himalayan task.
However,I can share with you that her late father martyred Zulfikar Ali Bhutto,described as an icon of a statesman by Dr. Henry Kissinger in the century,selected Bibi to be his political heir when he had seen blossom in her a leaderbeyond ordinary comprehensions. He did not take her to Simla to see the picturesqueHill Station that had served as Raj's summer capital in India but he wanted herto meet Prime Minister Indira Gandhi with whom later she would have to sort outrelations with India including settling the Kashmir issue.
BhuttoSahib and Benazir Bhutto both were firm believers that intricate issues such asKashmir cannot be left in the hands of the generals. He often quoted famousFrench statesman Georges Clemenceau that "war is too important to be leftto the generals". Bhutto Sahib had a foresight at some time Benazir Bhuttowould be the one who would have to preside over the affairs of the Pakistanistate.
QDo you think Benazir would have solved the Kashmir problem?
A.My answer to your question is positive. Had she been alive along with Mrs.Indira Gandhi or Rajiv Gandhi e they would have both garnered the Simla spiritinto action. I remember Bhutto Sahib's historic meeting with Mrs. Indira Gandhiin his farewell call on her at Simla when the talks between the two negotiatingteams had collapsed and we were told to pack up to leave for home the nextmorning.
BhuttoSahib clicked with Mrs. Gandhi in his farewell call, what would remain forevera landmark development between the two countries. Later in Pakistan when Iasked him what transpired between him and Indiraji in the farewell. "Isincerely collected all my wits and beseeched Mrs. Gandhi that, that perhaps itwas the last opportunity for the two nations to bury the hatchet permanentlyand bury the acrimonies of the past. I sincerely meant what I had told her,touched the bottom core of her heart against the wishes of her advisers likeHaskars who had stuck to hawkish postures throughout the negotiations. We wereconfident that the new foundation of Indo-Pakistan relations on a sound footingof the sincerity of our purpose would turn the historic tide for the good ofthe people of the two countries."
QHow do you see the future of the Indo-Pakistan relationship? Today there iscomplete silence from both ends.
AI am a born optimist. Indeed, I have also been very eto some extent -- close tothe leadership of Pakistan. However, there has always been a difference ofopinion in my thinking and their thinking. I have been a devoted follower ofthe Bhuttos, notwithstanding the rhetoric of the 1000-year war e I have heardit from both the Bhuttos about their sincerity for peace in the region, greaterco-operation, economic understanding, and assisting each other in alleviationof the economic and poverty-related sufferings of their people.
QYou have been very close to the top leadership of Pakistan. Tell us frankly ina single word whether so much army interference is helping Pakistan or hasdamaged the very basic fabric of democracy?
A.My being close to the top leadership of Pakistan would not mean that they woulddo whatever I would tell them to. My answer to you in a single word is ---thatarmy's interference in politics has been on account of the demographic compositionof the partition and the failure of political leadership after the demise ofJinnah Sahib and the assassination of Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan toreassert itself as the sole arbiter of civilian power. Praetorian Establishmentplus the civil, judicial bureaucracy as established and later recognised aspower troika monopolising West Pakistani Punjabi feudal class backed byJamaat-e-Islami and Ahraris---all combined damaged the very basic fabric ofdemocracy in Pakistan.
QHow do you see the Bajwa-Imran combo? Bajwa is talking positively here andthere. But nothing deliverable. Do you think he can be instrumental in regionalpeace?
AI can only give you an answer. General Bajwa, I will give him the benefit ofdoubt. I have not known him much but whatever his famous Bajwa Doctrine is e itdid cause a lot of ripples and inspired food for thought among various circlesincluding the military.