April 1, 1979
My fate has been decided. I am to be hanged.
It’s been almost 8 months since I have been accused of murder; a murder that I have not even committed. These lies were obviously fabricated by my enemies, and it seems despite my numerous protests that these men would not give up. Just few days ago I have been sentenced to death. I foresaw this coming. I was prepared, for I knew it was inevitable. But what of my family? They did not, could not bear the news. They visited me last night. All three of my beautiful daughters. Especially Benezir, my first born. Last night I told her, “They are going to kill me. It doesn't matter what evidence you or anyone comes up with. They are going to murder me for murder I didn't commit.” Although I knew these were harsh words, I did not wish to keep the truth from her; No, I needed her to know the truth. I wrote a letter to my attorney saying,
I did not kill that man. My God is aware of it. I am big enough to admit if I had done it, that admission would have been less of an ordeal and humiliation than this barbarous trial which no self respecting man can endure. I am a Muslim. A Muslim's fate is in the hands of God Almighty I can face Him with a clear conscience and tell Him that I rebuilt His Islamic State of Pakistan from ashes into a respectable Nation. I am entirely at peace with my conscience in this black whole of Kot Lakhpat. I am not afraid of death. You have seen what fires I have passed through.
Indeed, I have been through treacherous fires for the past years. Probably becoming one of Pakistan’s delegations to the United Nations was the first step of my path. I slowly worked my way into becoming one of the Pakistani cabinet ministers in 1958. Then I have become a close and trusted advisor to President Muhammad Ayub Khan. Then with the Tashkent Declaration of Ayub, I could no longer serve under him.
After leaving my office in 1966, I have created my own party, a party that would represent the people of Pakistan: the Pakistan’s People Party (PPP). I believed that Islam is our faith, democracy is our policy, and socialism is our economy. I pursued for Ayub’s resign of his presidency. Then Ayub’s goons arrested me on November 12, 1968, and I was jailed. This did not stop me from my goal, and soon I was released.
Although I could not achieve presidency against General Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan in, 1969, two years later after numerous struggles I was able to acquire the votes of the people of Pakistan, and was elected president. In 1972, I was able to call the National Assembly and create the Third Constitution. Using this opportunity, I was able to become the Prime Minister also. Not only that I became the commander of chief of the armed forces. I believed this was all for the good of the people. During my presidency, I have put effort so that Pakistan’s international relations would be strong. I elected again in 1973 for presidency; and although I was arrested due to some silly accusation that I rigged the election, I was released soon afterwards.
This was not the last of the accusations I have had to face. My enemies were relentless. In the 1977 election, again my opposition, Pakistan National Alliance, accused me of rigging it. This time though, despite my decision of having a fresh new election, General Zia, a PNA advocate, sent his troops and arrested me, in a coup d’état. Many of the members of PPP were arrested along with me.
These constant false accusations did not put fear into me for I knew they were false.
These are the fires I have been through, what I have lived through. I hope that the people of Pakistan realize the contributions I have made for them. I believe this is the path, which Allah has set before me, and I shall accept it.