Overseas Pakistani Friends

The writer was Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s political secretary and close aide, and a former member of Parliament

“Safdar, how about some naaras?” Bibi’s last words to Safdar. Bibi was sitting between Makhdoom Amin Fahim and me; I was sitting on her right. Safdar was seated behind us in that ill-fated jeep, on that calamitous day of Dec 27, 2007, as we left Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi, after a rousing election rally. “Zinda hai Bhutto zinda hai!” The people shout slogans. She shouts the same words back at them. A heartbeat later she seems to abruptly dart back into the jeep — I feel a load, my heart sinks, Bibi’s head falls into my lap. “Get up, Bibi!” I say while trying to steady her with my hands. She does not stir. Another heartbeat and we are thrown against the ceiling by what is undoubtedly a close-range explosion. My body feels a warm gush of fluid dribbling down. “Blood!” I scream. “Drive!” Safdar shouts, “Drive FAST!” This cannot be happening. This cannot have happened. Continue reading »