Nusrat Bhutto laid to rest at her family graveyard

Nisar Ahmed Thokar

Islamabad, Oct 24: Thousands of PPP workers and Bhutto loyalists from across the country thronged Garhi Khuda Baksh to participate in the funeral-ceremony of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s widow Bugum Nusrat Bhutto who breather her last in Dubai on Sunday after a protracted illness.

Besides President Asif Ali Zardari the funeral ceremonial was attended by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, federal ministers, legislators, leaders of political parties and a large number of people. PaK president Sardar Yaqoob Khan, Former premier Barrsiter Sultan Mehmood and other PPP leaders rushed to Nowdero to attend the funeral.

Earlier, the dead-body of Begum Nusrat Bhutto was brought from Dubai to Sukhar airport where she was presented guard of honour and later flown to the home town (Nowdero) via helicopter for burial. Pertinently Nusrat Bhutto was under treatment in Dubai for last several years. During her 82-year life she had gone through torments and tribulations despite witnessing some high moments as the country’s first-lady. However, following the ouster of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s government by General Zia, Begum Nusrat Bhutto witnessed a dreaded-fall of Bhutto Dynasty. She saw her husband walking to the gallows and buried her son Shahnawz Bhutto just at the age of 27. She could not bear the loss of his elder son Mir Murtaza Bhutto who was callously murdered in Karachi when her daughter Benazir Bhutto was the prime minister of Pakistan. The iron lady was shocked and shocked to the core as a result she lost her memory. Owing to her years-long relentless struggle against Zia regime, the incumbent regime had decided to confer the prestigious civil award on Begum Nusrat Bhutto.

It may be recalled here that on the sad demise of former first lady, Prime Minister Gilani announced 10-day mourning across the country while on the other PPP would observe 40-day mourning.  National Public holiday was observed through out the country, education institutions, banks and government offices remain closed on the day. Stringent security arrangements were made as heavy contingents of police and army personnel were deployed in Khadi Khuda Baksh and Nowdero area, the home town of Bhutto family.

Meanwhile, Ghinwa Bhutto the widow of Mir Murtza Bhutto refused to attend Begum Nusrat Bhutto’s funeral ceremony at Nowdero and said that ‘ghaibana namaz-e-janaza’ of deceased soul will be offered at Al-Murtaza House latter. She alleged that Bhutto was deliberately kept away from her children and they were not even informed of her demise.