Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has asserted that the principles of strategic autonomy and Muslim unity, championed by the late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, remain a crucial guiding force for Pakistan in navigating contemporary global conflicts.
Speaking at a conference titled ‘Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto: Global Vision and Contemporary Conflicts,’ organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan, the chief minister connected the former leader”s historic advocacy for the Palestinian cause to the current situation in the Middle East, according to informaton today.
‘Bhutto Shaheed was one of the strongest voices for Palestine in the world. Today’s injustices are a reflection of the absence of that kind of leadership,’ Mr Shah remarked, adding his belief that the Muslim Ummah would not have faced such challenges if Bhutto were alive.
The chief minister elaborated that Bhutto established a foreign policy founded on ‘strategic autonomy,’ which prioritised Pakistan’s national interests by refusing alignment with any global bloc. ‘He chose principles over power and even resigned from office for the sake of the country,’ Mr Shah recalled.
Highlighting Bhutto’s foresight, the chief minister credited him with being among the first world leaders to recognise China”s strategic importance, laying the groundwork for the Pak-China friendship as early as 1966. ‘Today, we talk about CPEC, but Mr Bhutto had envisioned this partnership decades ago,’ he noted.
Mr Shah further explained that Bhutto introduced the concept of the ‘Global South,’ working to unite developing nations on a common platform, and played a historic role in unifying the Muslim world during the 1974 Islamic Summit in Lahore.
On matters of national security, the chief minister attributed the foundation of Pakistan’s nuclear programme and the strengthening of its defence after the 1971 war to Bhutto’s leadership. He stated that despite immense challenges, Bhutto restored the nation’s confidence and set it on a path to becoming a nuclear power.
The chief minister also pointed to Bhutto’s unwavering stance on Kashmir, which he termed an “unfinished agenda of Partition,” mentioning that his speeches on the subject at the United Nations continue to offer guidance.
Turning to domestic politics, Mr Shah paid tribute to Bhutto’s philosophy of empowering ordinary citizens. ‘Before Shaheed Bhutto, politics was dominated by elites. He brought the common man to the centre of power and taught dignity, equality and political awareness,’ he said, sharing anecdotes of Bhutto’s simplicity and accessibility to farmers and the general public.
In his concluding remarks, the chief minister maintained that Pakistan’s current foreign policy successes are deeply rooted in Bhutto’s vision and that the government continues to draw inspiration from his principles.
He also announced that the 47th death anniversary of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto would be observed with solemnity across Sindh at the district level with Quran Khawani and prayers, in line with guidance from Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.