Murtaza Bhutto's death anniversary today

Murtaza Bhutto, brother of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, was killed near his residence at Clifton in Karachi on September 20, 1996 in police firing.

Murtaza Bhutto forced to go into exile along with younger brother Shahnawaz Bhutto after toppling of his father’s government by General Zia ul Haq and imposition of martial law in Pakistan. He led an international campaign against the military rule in the country. While in exile, Murtaza strived to secure release of his father and made desperate attempts to get his execution halted.

He was blamed having hand in hijacking of a PIA plane in 1981, which was enroute to Kabul from Peshawar.

Murtaza Bhutto, an arduous campaigner for democratic rule in the country, passed 16 years in exile. He contested Sindh Assembly election in 1993 from exile and won the Larkana constituency.

Murtaza, returned to country during his sister’s second tenure as prime minister.He was arrested at airport on his return from exile and passed eight months in jail.

He founded his own political party PPP-Shaheed Bhutto.

Mir Murtaza Bhutto was assassinated on September 20, 1996, along with six political companions near his residence 70 Clifton in Karachi.

He was laid to rest in his ancestral graveyard of Garhi Khuda Bakhsh in Larkana district.