I was among the very first fortunate party workers who had the rare privilege of direct communication with Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto (SMBB) through email, beginning as early as 1997-a time when such access to national leadership was exceptionally uncommon.
Every morning, regardless of whether she was in Karachi, Dubai, London, or elsewhere, I prepared a concise English summary of important news drawn from Sindhi, Urdu, and English newspapers and emailed it to her. Through this daily exchange, she remained closely informed about the ground realities of Sindh, reflecting her deep interest in grassroots issues and her insistence on staying connected with the people.
Her trust in this information was evident on many occasions. Once, when senior PPP leader Ghulam Qadir Palijo of Thatta visited her in London and began briefing her on the situation in Sindh, SMBB gently interrupted him and remarked that she was already fully aware of developments, as Surendar updates me daily through email. This moment clearly demonstrated her confidence in direct, factual reporting rather than filtered narratives.
SMBB possessed a distinctive and disciplined working style. Whenever a particular news item required action, she marked her instructions in bold blue font, leaving no ambiguity. Her leadership combined clarity with compassion, decisiveness with empathy.
In one such instance, news appeared that a PPP worker’s head had been forcibly shaved by supporters of Jatoi. I included this incident in the daily summary. Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto immediately instructed me to request the then President PPP Sindh, Nisar Khuhro, to travel to Moro, meet the affected worker, and ensure that he was provided both legal and moral support. This swift response reflected her zero tolerance for humiliation, injustice, and abuse of party workers.
Another proud aspect of this association was her engagement with my drafting work. I received large number of “well done,” “excellent,” and “very good” remarks on my draft press releases. She was not only a great leader but also a keen editor, carefully correcting drafts and strengthening their message-an indication of her attention to detail and commitment to effective communication.
In another significant case, when a party leader from Karachi opposed the induction of Rana Bhawandas as a judge of the Sindh High Court, Shaheed Bibi directed me to draft a strong public statement on her behalf in support of his appointment. Her stance reflected her unwavering commitment to justice, merit, and minority representation, even in the face of internal resistance.
These experiences remain a profound reminder of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s hands-on leadership, intellectual sharpness, moral courage, and deep connection with party workers and the people of Sindh. She did not lead from a distance-she listened, she acted, and she stood firmly with the oppressed. Her legacy continues to inspire those who believe in democracy, dignity, and fearless leadership.
