Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s final words at the gallows revealed by former jail official

Former assistant jail superintendent Majeed Qureshi, who was present during the execution of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, revealed the final words spoken by the PPP founder moments before his hanging.

According to Qureshi, when the hangman covered Bhutto’s face with a black cloth, Bhutto calmly said, “Mr Qureshi, remove this cloth.”

Those were his last words before the lever was pulled, and Bhutto was executed in the early hours of April 4, 1979.

Historical accounts confirm that Bhutto did not leave behind a written will. His final meeting with his wife, Begum Nusrat Bhutto, and daughter Benazir Bhutto was filled with emotion and sorrow. 

Majeed Qureshi further stated that Bhutto had called the murder charges against him part of an international conspiracy orchestrated by foreign powers to obstruct his efforts in forming a strong alliance of Muslim countries.

April 4 marks 46 years since the judicial execution of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Pakistan’s former Prime Minister and founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), under General Zia-ul-Haq’s martial law regime.

Read: Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's execution benefited Zia-ul-Haq, violated justice: SC

In Sindh, a public holiday has been declared to honor the legacy of one of the country's most influential political leaders.

Commemorating Bhutto’s death anniversary, President Asif Ali Zardari issued a statement praising him as a visionary statesman, fearless leader, and a true voice of the people. Zardari highlighted Bhutto’s enduring contributions to Pakistan, from introducing the country’s first consensus constitution to laying the groundwork for a sovereign foreign policy and initiating the nation’s nuclear program.

Born on January 5, 1928, in Larkana, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto studied law in the United States and the United Kingdom, graduating from both the University of California and Oxford. His political rise began in General Ayub Khan’s cabinet, where he served as Foreign Minister. After parting ways with Ayub over ideological differences, Bhutto launched the Pakistan Peoples Party on November 30, 1967.

ZAB's slogan of "Roti, Kapra aur Makaan" echoed across the nation during the 1970 elections.

Following the post-election crisis and the country’s eventual split in 1971, Bhutto took charge first as the civilian martial law administrator and later as President (1971–1973), before becoming the country's first elected Prime Minister (1973–1977).

Among his most significant achievements were the 1973 Constitution, the Simla Agreement with India, and the repatriation of thousands of prisoners of war. His administration introduced several reforms aimed at uplifting marginalised communities.

However, Bhutto’s tenure ended abruptly when his government was ousted in a military coup led by General Zia-ul-Haq.