Can't disagree.
He was the one who encouraged military action in J&K to Ayub. In Ayub's time Pakistan's economy was at its peak and they shouldn't have compromised that. Then when the heat came on ZA Bhutto, he joined the opposition against Ayub forcing him out. Heck being the master politician he was, he managed to raise an issue of sugar's price increase of .25 rupees that some people say that alone gave the final push to get Ayub out.
Then Yahya came, the drunk bastard was completely incompetent and ill-fitted for the job. And he lost half the country, the bangalis however wrong they might have been in their persecution complex, were the rightful winners of that election.
Musharraf is the only Pakistani leader to have appologized for the events that lead to our separation and also the one who has regained Pakistan's popularity amongst Bangalis.
Very Old thread I know, but someone mentioned this to me , so I thought to add my thoughts.
J&K Operation failed because we as usual failed at grand strategy . Army Does one thing, Navy does one thing,SSG does one thing, ISI does one thing there is no coordination .
In America the Army has its own Airforce, on top of the Normal Airforce .1960s was a time when India was weak and good time to take the advantage, although of course with hindsight it was not the best idea
How do you measure Economy was at its Peak ? It america there are more millionaires and billionaires than ever but common middle class person does not think Economy is at its peak, same for the Indian economic bubble. Bhutto dramatically reduced poverty rates even with lower GDP growth
There was alot of opposition to Ayub Khan. If Bhutto didnt take it, then Fatimah Jinnah or somebody else wouldve. Ayub Khan was very unpopular, and his economic policies where highly dependent on US Aid. Aid which came with far too many conditions in ways which American Aid to India did not .
Bhutto was more like Hugo Chavez, whilst Ayub Khan was more like George Bush II
Bhutto was a true statemen a thinker and reformer which Pakistan has not seen since.
Bhutto nationalisation was targeted to the inefficient industries, which where not internationally competitive . Bhutto wanted to model pakistan on west germany and increase exports. He invested heavily in the nationalised industries, bhutto was not able to finish his economic agenda so you cant judge a painting thats not finished
Yayha Khan made the mistake of launching a military operation with out a Political Deal behind it. But in Reality Yayha Khan had already lost control of the East Pakistan Army Command.East Pakistan was already a defacto run by a different set of Generals
Mujib wanted a Confederation as a step towards secession(separate currencies very dodgy idea), Bhutto was against Mujib Unilaterally changing the constitution . You need all provinces to agree to any major change ( like 18th amendment in 2010). Bhutto was a skilled negotiator im sure he couldve saved the federation, if khan had not been so trigger happy. Countries are most vulnerable at times of election, just look at the CIA colour revolution in eastern europe. So 1971 saga was all planned. India signed so called friendship treaty with soviet union long time ago
is it possible for Punjab MNAs to unilaterally change the constitution with out the backing of the other provinces ?
In america to get a constitutional amendment , the President needs the support of 75% of the states
Bhutto never said idher hum, under tum or what ever that is false reporting .
East Pakistan was lost went Mujib won. He was an Indian agent. The debate is how did he win ? he won by exploiting 1970 cyclone,economic disparities and by hijacking the anti ayub Khan Movement
What happened in East Pakistan, is unprecedented in history . The West did nothing to come to Pakistans aid and the Russians fully backed India, whilst the American Congress imposed Arms sanctins on pakistan
The lesson of East Pakistan, is Keep control of Information dont allow foreign properganda into the country
Musheraff is also a Military person, its convenient all officers under Zia where brought up to believe Pak army is unbeatable and 1971 was the fault of Bhutto. Partly to increase Morale and also for political purposes.
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was not to blame for East Pakistan, he was responsible for saving West Pakistan when entire world was predicting its downfall and people in pakistan didnt have clue of
what to do , he did