| Career Highlights: Born in Bombay in 1928 Bhutto was educated in first in the United States, where he received his degree in political science from Berkley, and then at Oxford where he studied law. He was called to the bar in England in 1953, the same year his first child, Benazir, was born. 1953-1966: Returning to the sub continent following partition, Bhutto settles in Pakistan and begins to practice law. He joins the cabinet of Iskander Misra in 1958 and is appointed Foreign Minister in the cabinet of Ayub Kahn in 1963. In 1966, however, Bhutto openly splits with Ayub Kahn over Tashkent, an agreement concluded with India following a series of mutually disasterous counter-invasions. 1966-1970: Bhutto very publicly resigns his cabinet position and forms the nominally socialist Pakistan People's Party (PPP) in order to exploit general disapproval of Ayub Kahn's rule as well as specific discontent over Tashkent. Despite declaring a general amnesty in 1969, Ayub Kahn is unable to build sufficient support to continue as president and hands over power to General Yahya Kahn in December. Yayha Kahn establishes martial law but quickly promises general election scheduled for late 1970. 1970-1971: In the general election of 1970 (which was delayed by massive flooding and loss of life in East Pakistan) the PPP wins a majority of seats in West Pakistan (contemporary Pakistan) handing an important defeat to the conservative and religious parties that had previously supported Ayub Kahn. However, the separatist Aswami League and its Bengali allies win a majority of the votes in the smaller but more populous East Pakistan (contemporary Bangeladesh) entitling them to a majority position the anticipated government. More critically, the Aswami League rides to victory on a "Six-Point-Plan" that would in fact substantially de-federate East and West Pakistan leaving the national government with powers only over matters of defense and foreign policy. This represents an unacceptable blow to West Pakistan which enjoys a virtual monopoly over patronage, professional opportunities as well as the government seat of power in Karachi (and for whom the notion of a "Muslim Homeland" is in fact a good deal more vital). Although constitutional negotiations are joined, the Aswami League's leader Sheikh Mujib-ur-Rahman (released in Ayub Kahn's general amnesty of 1969) directs a number of protests and strikes which culminate on March 23, 1971 in a "Resistance Day" action including province wide rallies and protests. 1971: On March 27, 1971 following the Resistance Day action, and alleging massacres of non-Bengalis, Pakistani national Army and Air Force elements loyal to General Khan and Bhutto invade East Pakistan. Initial targets include prominent Bengali politicians as well as Bengali elements of the national Army (who had to that point proved entirely loyal to Yayha Kahn). Attacks on civilians quickly follow sending at least 8 million Hindu refugees streaming into neighboring India as well as a series of massacres in which 200,000 - 300,000 Hindu and Bengali Muslim civilians are killed. Seeking to stem the tide of refugees (and exploit the Pakistani division), Indian troops invade both West and East Pakistan in November. The action in the west is typically non productive resulting in thousands of casualties and producing little or no change in territory. However, the West Pakistani forces in East Pakistan quickly fall to the invading Indians resulting in abject surrender and the ultimate capture of over 90,000 Pakistani Troops. In December of 1971, the independent Nation of Bangladesh is declared. 1971-1977: Having lost over half the population of his nation at a stroke, Yayha Kahn resigns his office in favor of Bhutto who takes over as President and Chief Martial Law Administrator on December 20, 1971. Within several months Bhutto nationalizes most major Pakistani industries and, in response to the recognition of Bangladesh by Britain and other western nations, withdraws from the Commonweath as well as S.E.A.T.0. In 1973 a new civil constitution is adopted and Bhutto is declared Prime Minister. Following India's detonation of an atomic device that same year, Bhutto initiates his "Islamic Nuclear Weapon" program 1977: Bhutto's role in the "loss" of East Pakistan and his authoritarian style of rule generate an increasingly avid opposition which continues to grow despite (or perhaps because of) his heavy handed efforts at suppression. Sensing an opportunity in January of 1977 when Bhutto announces general elections, a number of opposition groups join together to form the Pakistani National Alliance (PNA) with the stated goal of defeating the PPP. Despite strong popular support, particularly in urban areas (Karachi, Lahore etc.) the PNA manages to capture only 36 seats in the National Assembly, and the PPP sweeps back into power. Alleging systematic fraud, the PNA refuses to accept the results and demands a new round of elections under the supervision of the judiciary and army. When Bhutto refuses the PNA issues a successful call for mass demonstrations and nationwide strikes. Bhutto responds by arresting the top PNA leadership and deploying the army and internal security forces to suppress Alliance activities. Martial law is imposed on Karachi, Lahore and Hyderabad. Despite these efforts, Bhutto finds the situation increasingly unmanageable and is forced to release the PNA leaders and promise new elections. The framework for an iterim government and August elections is agreed among the parties, but Bhutto leaves on an extended international tour without signing the agreement. Chief of the Army Staff General Zia-ul-Haq declares martial law on July 5, 1977. When Bhutto returns he is arrested. 1978-1979: Bhutto is convicted by the Lahore High Court of murdering the father of an oppostion politician on evidence of uncertain provenance and sentenced to death. The Pakistani Supreme Court declines an appeal and Bhutto is hung on April 4, 1979. | 
