On the 13th death anniversary of the first woman Prime Minister of a Muslim country, Benazir Bhutto. The daughter of the east lived through an illustrious life of politics filled with controversies. Shedding some light on a few facts & misconceptions:

Often jiyala’s & the liberal left argue that BB was as clean as a whistle (some say she had a bunch of political thugs around her but she was clean) was never allowed to implement her manifesto of Roti Kapra Makaan” as the establishment kept meddling in political affairs.

The misconception of the 80-90’s era: “Generals were interfering in political business” Its no brainer that the country was out of a decade old tyrannical rule followed by BB & NS playing musical chairs with the military establishment in a bid to cling onto power.

Then COAS General Mirza Aslam Beg was conferred with “Tamgha-e-Jamhuriat” by the PPP govt. Making him the only Pakistani to be decorated with the award. BB often praised his role in restoring democracy however PPP stalwarts claim Beg to be the mastermind of packing BB’s first gov

BB clean governance claims were nothing short of a farce. According to a NYT investigation report, French military contractor Dassault paid Zardari $200m commission in exchange for a $4 billion fighter jet deal. Further investigations also discovered….

Gold bullion dealer Abdul Razzak Yaqub (ARY) in the Middle East deposited $10 million into a Citibank acc in Dubai held by Zardari after the PPP government gave him a monopoly on gold imports that sustained Pakistan's jewellery industry #goldscam #houseofgrafts

Offshore companies were created by BB & co to buy lavish properties. A mansion spread over 365 acres in Rockwood Estate South of London (Surrey) worth $8m & $4m worth estate in Palm Beach, Florida

BB always denied the allegations & claimed the documents revealing corruption were forged. As Zardari came to power most cases against him began to get quashed. Swiss authorities also released $60m after AGP withdrew the chargesheet.

BB & Zardari both however have been convicted by a Geneva court in 2003 of laundering kickbacks worth $1.5b. This verdict was later overturned after AGP had written to Daniel Zappelli (Geneva’s chief prosecutor) in 2008 saying there had been no irregularities in the contracts

BB the so called “Mother of Democracy” backed & celebrated the military coup against NS. She also claimed to choose to work with a military dictator over a civilian, “I will choose Musharraf any day over Nawaz” in an interview.

BB return in 2007 was not about restoring democracy. Former US Sec of State Condoleezza Rice in her book ‘No Higher Honour’ says she brokered a deal (NRO) between BB and Musharraf where all corruption cases against BB were said to be dismissed to pave way for her return.

The scandals & controversies not mentioned in detail are:

1) Murtaza Bhutto’s murder under her watch
2) Agosta Submarine scandal: Kickbacks received by Zardari
3) Kickback from govt contracts: SGS & Cotechna https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/aug/08/pakistan.benazirbhutto

Lastly corrupt elements like Naya daur propagandist Raza Rumi on BB death anniversary painted her like an angel along with many other tainted journalists. Drawing comparisons to IK & as to how BB was soft on her opponents. Mar Katju piece says it all https://www.theweek.in/news/world/2019/12/28/opinion-benazir-bhutto-was-no-saint-or-benevolent-angel.html