Articles of the year 2021

Sardar Mumtaz Ali Khan Bhutto was a great son of Sindh and served as Chief minister Sindh for three years and then as Federal minister in Bhutto’s Cabinet. Mumtaz was an articulate person versatile in all three languages, to be expected from a politician having to communicate in public to diverse crowds. Mumtaz as Chief Minister presided over the most glamorous and the safest period in the history of Karachi.

No kidnappings, no murders, no robberies. After his departure Karachi went to the dogs. He was also very quick at repartee having the better of his fellow provincial members and of course in the National Assembly as Federal Minister. Unfortunately for him his relationship as “talented cousin” was irksome but not resentful. Mumtaz worked as a member of the team. Unfortunately Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was his own man and seldom acted on advice, his fall after only six years is a mark of following wrong advice. This led to their downfall and Mumtaz spending a year in the wilderness. However back in Bhutto’s cabinet he had to witness the downfall of the Bhutto’s era. In the last months of Bhutto’s rule, I was in constant touch with Mumtaz arguing why Bhutto was not taking sensible advice, and Mumtaz would reply “ he just does not listen.”

The coming of General Zia’s Martial law ended the political dream of the Bhuttos. Mumtaz landed in jail served with fortitude. His life after that was one of a retired gentleman farmer hunting and watching his two sons blossom into politicians in their own right. He lived a full life, enjoying it to the fullest. He left Sindh a better place than before his time. May his sons carry forward his dream of a great Sindh. They now have inherited his place in history and can build upon it. Your sons will now take up the mantle of a great Sind. Mumtaz can be remembered for the peace and city of lights, a sobriquet richly deserved by the city of Karachi.

This era of peace has never been seen in Karachi since the days of Mumtaz as Chief Minister. The only Bhutto who achieved greatness for the family without besmirching the family name or harming the country.
So rest in peace Mumtaz.