Much has been written about the forcibly shortened life of Benazir Bhutto, the first woman prime minister of the Muslim world, and perhaps much more remains to be written. Those who killed him probably thought that his death would end his story, but it did not.
His friends inside and outside Pakistan are writing books to keep his memory alive. The latest book is written by her Oxford University friend Victoria Scofield, who claims a 30-year association with Benazir. The name of this book is ‘Fragrance of Tears – My Friendship with Benazir Bhutto.
The Karachi Literary Fair was held at the end of last week and a virtual launch of this book was also held in one of the sessions. Based on the memoirs of Victoria Scofield, the book tells the story of Benazir Bhutto from her four years at a prestigious academic institution like Oxford to her rise to political leadership. Victoria is a British historian and author.
The name of this book is based on the metaphor of ‘the smell of tears’ and he said that he took it from the poem of Sindhi Sufi poet Shah Abdul Latif Bhatai. He said that it was Benazir Bhutto who introduced him to Shah Bhittai’s poetry, but he insisted that it was Benazir who introduced him to Pakistan. ‘Pakistan is now my second home.’
Victoria was interviewed by London-based Farah Durrani. One question he asked was that you had declared the decision of Benazir’s marriage as political, what was the reason for it? The author said that there were no signs of the end of the military dictator General Zia-ul-Haq, he could have stuck with power for another ten years, so Benazir decided to get married to achieve mental and emotional stability.
Asif Zardari and Benazir Bhutto got engaged on 29 July 1987 in London and got married on 18 December 1987 in Karachi, about five months after the engagement.
About the difficulties she faced in writing the book spanning 30 years, Victoria said that she searched for letters written to her parents from Pakistan, because there were few telephones in those days, so everything was done through letters. ‘These letters were actually our lives written by hand which is not possible now in the age of internet.’
This section contains related reference points (Related Nodes field).
The late Bibi’s tea parties were very popular in Oxford. He said that Benazir’s personality was charismatic even in his youth. ‘She mingled with everyone in student life too. He had a very friendly personality.’
After 1960, there had been only two women presidents of the Oxford University Students’ Union, with Benazir becoming the first president. He introduced rock music and changed the color of the President’s office.
After completing her education, Benazir returned to Pakistan in 1977. It was a time when the country was facing a political crisis. The following year, he also invited his friend Victoria, which turned out to be his first trip to Pakistan.
After coming to Pakistan, the case of Benazir’s father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, reached the Supreme Court, so since Victoria’s typing speed was good, she helped Bibi in preparing petitions and other documents.
Commenting on the book, BBC International Correspondent Liz Doucet said that only someone who knew Benazir as intimately as Victoria could have written it. ‘Victoria stood by Benazir’s daily plight as his loyal friend and observer.’
Prior to this memoir, Victoria had also written books on Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s trial, Kashmir and Afghanistan.
Western writers do not hesitate to write such books, but close associates like Naheed Khan and Safdar Abbasi have preferred the chip more.
#Marriage #political #decision #Benazir #Victoria #Scofield
2024-08-25 18:40:42