Tearful Bhutto pleads for life

Press, 20 December 1978, Page 8

Tearful Bhutto pleads for life

NZPA-Reuter Rawalpindi The former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, broke down in tears on Tuesday as he appealed to the Supreme Court to overturn his conviction and death sentence.

“I have been shabbily treated, very shabbily,” said the 50-year-old Mr Bhutto, who was convicted of ordering a political assassination four years ago.

At one point he paused to swallow his sobs and said: “I am not a rootless phenomenon. I have done no harm to this country.” Mr Bhutto, who ruled Pakistan for five-and-a-half years until he was overs thrown in an Army coup last year, outlined the points ‘on which he wanted to speak, then pleaded he was too tired to continue. He will appear again today.

Tight security was in force for Mr Bhutto’s first public appearance since he was convicted by the Lahore High Court last March for plotting to murder an Opposition politican, Ahmed Raza Kasuir. The plot misfired.

Mr Bhutto said the case against him was false and fabricated. He described his earlier trial as a grotesque injustice.

His neat grey suit hung loosely and his face was pale as he went before the Supreme Court, which has been hearing his appeal for seven months. He said he felt dizzy and was having difficulty in maintaining his balance.