Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was still a student when she visited India with her father –Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto – who was the ruler of the country at that time. This was the same important visit in which Pak-India Shimla Agreement was signed and India released Pakistani prisoners.
Zulfiqar Bhutto’s advice
During the flight to New Delhi, Bhutto advised Benazir that you have to be very careful in India because people will draw their own meaning and conclusions from everything.
“Try not to smile too much, otherwise people will say that on the one hand Pakistani soldiers are still in prisons and the Prime Minister’s daughter is having fun. In the same way, there should not be any disappointment on the face so that people don’t think our negotiations have failed,” Bhutto had told her daughter.
Benazir’s confusion
Benazir Bhutto then asked her father what she should do. Mr Bhutto’s answer was, you should not look depressed or very happy. The reply confused Benazir. Expressing her concern, she told her father that this is a very difficult task. Mr Bhutto smiled and replied, you try and see, this is not such a difficult task.
Arrival at Shimla
Benazir Bhutto later wrote, “When we reached Shimla, Indian then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was there to receive us. When I greeted her, she greeted me with a smile. This was my first test. In response to the Indian Prime Minister’s smile, I smiled half-heartedly and for the first time tried to show that I was neither very happy nor disappointed.”
Such interesting information about Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was found after reading the new book, Chund Hum Safar, of famous TV producer and writer Akhtar Waqar Azeem.
Acting in drama
In his article on Benazir Bhutto, Waqar revealed for the first time that when the recording of the popular game “Kiran Kahani” was about to start on PTV, the young Benazir Bhutto was also asked for playful heroin role.
According to Iftikhar Arif, Benazir Bhutto came to the office at the invitation of the relevant producers in this regard. However, this could not be done. Remember that the role of heroin in Kiran story was played by young Rohi Bano.
Benazir Bhutto as TV host
The same article by Akhtar Waqar Azeem revealed that when Benazir Bhutto returned from England after completing the first part of her education, she had hosted a current affairs program Encounter on PTV. As an anchor, host Benazir Bhutto did six episodes of the English program which aired.
In these programs, Benazir Bhutto along with other students reviewed the political and social situation of Pakistan. It is said that Benazir Bhutto herself wanted to be a journalist. This did not happen, the situation led him to politics. But she continued to write articles in newspapers.
World-renowned speaker
After journalism, Benazir Bhutto’s another interest was in human psychology. She wanted to pursue a higher degree in the subject, but found out that she would have to dissect various animals for educational purposes.
Benazir Bhutto then gave up the idea of psychology. He was advised by the college to choose a subject in political science. In fact, Bhutto Sahib had expressed this desire in a letter to the college principal.
Benazir Bhutto had no intention of studying politics as a subject or going into politics, but she did so out of respect for her father’s wishes. At the behest of Bhutto, she focused on the art of oratory and later became a world-renowned speaker.
Scars on face
An interesting incident in another article of the book shows the ingenuity and smartness of Asif Zardari. When Benazir Bhutto came to the TV office for the first time to record a speech after becoming the Prime Minister, no one had any idea whether she would like to do make-up or not.
Akhtar Waqar Azeem was the GM of Islamabad Center. He was told by the chief make-up artist that there were marks and spots on Bibi’s face which would look bad on-camera.
This was conveyed to Benazir Bhutto by Hussain Haqqani, then Information Secretary. She quickly got ready for makeup. Asif Zardari was also present. He said, “The marks on the face are the spokespersons of Bibi’s political struggle. They should remain like this.” Benazir Bhutto heard this but told the make-up artist to keep doing her work.
Sense of elegance
Akhtar Waqar Azeem mentioned Naeem Bukhari in his article and wrote that when he interviewed Benazir Bhutto, it was realized that Bibi is a well-versed broadcaster, she had a special style of giving interviews. Therefore, she would answer any sharp and sour question without hesitation.
In an interview, when Benazir Bhutto said something about General Pervez Musharraf in the interview, Naeem Bukhari said he is my favorite person. Benazir Bhutto replied, Some Men Have Bad Taste.
