Rise & fall of Pakistan\u2019s first democratically elected PM seen through \u2018psychological\u2019 lens
\n Islamabad
\nPakistan\u2019s first democratically elected Prime Minister, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, remains one of the most written-about and debated figures in the country\u2019s political history. Statesman, populist leader, reformer, and controversial prime minister\u2014 Bhutto\u2019s life has been examined from political, social and historical perspectives for decades.
\nAt a \u2018Meet the Author\/Book Review\u2019 session organized jointly by the Perveen Shakir Trust (PST) and The Islamabad Club the speakers sought to explore a different dimension of Bhutto\u2019s personality: the psychological forces behind his meteoric rise and tragic downfall.
\nFormer Chairman of the Central Board of Revenue (now Federal Board of Revenue), Shamim Ahmad book \u201cBhutto: The Psychodynamics of His Rise and Fall\u201d was discussed at length.
\nThe discussion triggered a lively and thought-provoking debate among scholars, writers and former bureaucrats. The gathering was notable for what PST Chairperson Mrs. Parveen Qadir Agha described as a \u201cgalaxy\u201d of Inland Revenue Service (IRS) retired officers.
\nThe author Shamim Ahmad, moderator Khawar Ahmed, Mrs. Agha herself, and PST Secretary General Raana Seerat all share backgrounds in the service, adding a distinctive bureaucratic perspective to the literary evening.
\nFormer PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar delivered the keynote address, while Prof. Dr. Nazia Iqbal from the Department of Psychology at the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) critically examined whether the author had successfully done justice to such a complex subject through a psychodynamic lens.
\nShe described the book as a serious attempt at psychoanalyzing Bhutto, beginning with the foundations of his personality \u2014 his early heroes, intellectual influences, literary preferences, and formative experiences.
\nShe observed that the book reminds readers that leadership is not merely political but deeply psychological.
\nHowever, she pointed out that the author identifies several psychological traits that may have contributed to Bhutto\u2019s eventual downfall: flawed judgment, impulsive decision-making, manic and hypermanic tendencies, towering ambition, fragile ego, and occasional recklessness.
\nAccording to the book, Bhutto may have been vulnerable to extreme mood swings and overwhelming political ambition, with the author even suggesting the possibility of bipolar tendencies.
\n\u201cThe central question this book leaves us with,\u201d Dr Nazia remarked, \u201cis whether our political system is capable of protecting leaders from their own psychological vulnerabilities.\u201d
\nFarhatullah Babar welcomed the publication, saying that a good book is one that stimulates meaningful dialogue \u2014 something this work had clearly achieved. Though originally written in 2019, he noted, the book remains relevant due to its unusual and compelling approach.
\nBabar appreciated the Perveen Shakir Trust for organizing a thoughtful discussion on one of Pakistan\u2019s most admired and controversial leaders.
\nHowever, he expressed reservations about attributing Bhutto\u2019s success primarily to internal psychological dynamics. Citing Dr. Mubashar Hassan \u2014 a founding member of the Pakistan People\u2019s Party \u2014 Babar argued that external political forces and historical circumstances played a decisive role in shaping Bhutto\u2019s ascent.
\nHe nonetheless described the book as informative, rich in detail and intellectually engaging. Babar also suggested that the author clarify a section listing individuals \u201cassassinated during Bhutto\u2019s time,\u201d noting that without explanation it could create unintended impressions.
\nResponding in his vote of thanks, Shamim Ahmad elaborated on how Bhutto\u2019s turbulent early life \u2014 including his formative years in Bombay (now Mumbai) \u2014 contributed to shaping a complex and driven personality. He emphasized that his work does not seek to diminish Bhutto\u2019s achievements but to better understand the psychological dimensions that influenced his decisions.
\nEarlier, in her welcome address, Mrs. Parveen Qadir Agha briefed the audience on the Trust\u2019s literary initiatives and its commitment to promoting intellectual discourse.
\n\u201cToday we are honoured to celebrate Mr. Shamim Ahmad, a distinguished bureaucrat and author of four books,\u201d she said, adding that the Trust chose to focus on this particular work so it could receive the attention and critical discussion it deserves.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Rise & fall of Pakistan\u2019s first democratically elected PM seen through \u2018psychological\u2019 lens Islamabad Pakistan\u2019s first democratically elected Prime Minister, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, remains one of the most written-about and debated figures in the country\u2019s political history. Statesman, populist leader, reformer, and controversial prime minister\u2014 Bhutto\u2019s life has been examined from political, social and historical […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":530954,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-531085","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n