Her struggle for democracy and for her family is etched in glory in the chapters of the history of Pakistan.

Early Life and Background

Born on March 23, 1929, in Isfahan, Persia, Nusrat Ispahani belonged to a distinguished merchant family with Kurdish heritage and enjoyed the care of her elder sisters. Although she successfully completed her senior Cambridge exams at the Convent of Jesus and Mary in Bombay, she chose not to pursue college. Growing up in Bombay, India, provided Nusrat with a unique blend of Iranian traditions and Indian Muslim culture. In 1947, her family migrated to Karachi. Nusrat became a part of the Pakistan Women’s National Guard, where she engaged in martial drill activities and acquired skills in driving trucks and ambulances. Continuing her education at the University of Karachi, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities in 1950.

Marriage and Political Involvement

Nusrat’s life took a political turn when she married Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1951, subsequently becoming an integral part of his career. While in Oxford shire for Bhutto’s legal studies, she supported him as he served as Foreign Minister. With the founding of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), she actively led the party’s women’s wing.

First Lady and Political Activism

She met Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1949, when he returned to Karachi from Berkeley to attend his sister’s wedding. They were introduced by his mother when they ran into each other at a bank, and then later at the wedding, where Zulfikar kept dancing with Nusrat. Zulfikar proposed to Nusrat but she “took it as a joke” because she knew he was returning to college. They got married on 8 September 1951. She was Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s second wife, and they had four children together: Benazir Bhutto, Mir Murtaza Bhutto, Sanam Bhutto and Shahnawaz Bhutto. Upon Bhutto’s ascent to the Prime Ministership in 1971, Nusrat Bhutto assumed the role of First Lady of Pakistan until his removal in 1977. During this period, she emerged as a prominent political figure, advocating for democracy and women’s empowerment.

Exile and Opposition to Zia’s Regime

Following Bhutto’s execution in 1979, Nusrat Bhutto, along with her children, faced exile in London. There, she co-founded the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy, opposing General Zia-ul-Haq’s regime. Despite health challenges, she remained resilient in her pursuit of democratic ideals.

Return to Pakistan and Ministerial Role

Nusrat Bhutto returned to Pakistan in 1986, witnessing her daughter Benazir’s political resurgence. With Benazir’s election victory. Alongside her daughter Benazir Bhutto, she was arrested numerous times and placed under house arrest and in prison in Sihala. Nusrat Bhutto was attacked by police with batons while attending a cricket match at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, when the crowd began to raise pro Bhutto slogans.

Illness and Passing: A Tragic Chapter in Nusrat Bhutto’s Life

In 1982, concerns arose about Nusrat Bhutto’s health, leading to her departure from Pakistan for medical treatment due to suspected cancer. Her later years were marked by the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease. By the mid-1990s, she withdrew from public life, possibly linked to the onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms, particularly after the tragic death of her son Mir Murtaza Bhutto in 1996. Nusrat remained unaware of her daughter Benazir’s assassination due to the advanced stage of her illness. Dependent on a ventilator, she passed away at 82 in Dubai on October 23, 2011. Her body was laid to rest in her hometown of Garhi Khuda Bakhsh the following day, marking the end of a life dedicated to political resilience and familial sacrifices.

National Mourning Declared for Begum Nusrat Bhutto: A Time of Reflection and Unity

In response to the sorrowful passing of Begum Nusrat Bhutto, the government declared a 10-day national mourning period, symbolizing a profound acknowledgment of her significant contributions to Pakistan’s history. As the former First Lady and a pivotal political figure, Begum Bhutto’s life and dedication to democracy left an indelible mark on the nation. The extended mourning period served as a poignant time for citizens to collectively grieve, reflect on her legacy, and pay respects. This symbolic gesture fostered unity and allowed the nation to honor her memory, with state funerals and official ceremonies providing a dignified farewell. The declaration ensured a period of closure and commemoration, allowing the country to gradually resume regular activities while cherishing the enduring impact of Begum Nusrat Bhutto’s life on the fabric of the nation.