work as a government intern (Bhatia). Unfortunately, a violent military coup that resulted in the death of one of her family members prevented her from doing so.
By 1977 Benazir’s father, Zulfikar Bhutto, had been in power in Pakistan for six years.
He founded the PPP (Pakistan People’s Party) on liberal ideals and philosophies; however, accusations of military atrocities and government corruption surrounded his administration. Less than a month after his daughter’s return from England, he declared martial law. Only days after
Benazir returned to her beloved country, the Pakistani military seized power from her autocratic father. The head of the military, General Zia, overthrew Zulfikar Bhutto and began a rule that resembled a military dictatorship. …show more content…
This is the first example of Benazir using her democratically appointed position to support violence and corruption.
In 1981 a terrorist organization secretly run by Benazir’s brothers hijacked a plane and took thirteen hostages, killing one (Muñoz 64). After the violent hijacking ended, Zia finally saw his chance to rid the country of his political rival. The Bhuttos were arrested once again, this time for supporting a terrorist organization. Sources later revealed that Benazir never supported the hijacking, and her brothers’ organization acted without her permission. Regardless of the truth,
Benazir was once again a political prisoner. For over a year, Benazir was treated terribly, experiencing malnourishment and disease just as she had as a young adult. For much of her second tenure in prison, Benazir was kept in solitary confinement. Still, Benazir persevered. She worked closely with American politicians who pressed the Reagan Administration to demand her release. This strategy worked, and when General Zia visited Washington, D.C. in December of
1982, the American government called for the release of Benazir and her mother (“Benazir
Bhutto”) Finally, under pressure from the United States, General Zia demanded their release