Fatima Bhutto (Urdu: فاطمہ بھٹو), (born 29 May 1982) is an Afghan born Pakistani poetess and writer.
She currently writes columns for The Daily Beast, New Statesman and other publications.
She came to fame after the appearance of her first book, a collection of poems, titled Whispers of the Desert. She received notable coverage for her second book, 8:50 a.m. 8 October 2005.[2][3] Fatima is the granddaughter of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and niece ofBenazir Bhutto, from whom she was estranged[1]. She is active in Pakistan's socio-political arena,[4] but has no desire to run for political office.[5]
Personal life and career
Fatima was born in Kabul, Afghanistan while her father Murtaza Bhutto was in exile during the military regime of General Zia ul Haq. Murtaza Bhutto, was son of former Pakistan's President and Prime Minister, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, and her mother is Fauzia Fasihudin Bhutto, daughter of Afghanistan's former Foreign Affair official.[1] Her father was killed by the police in 1996 in Karachi during the premiership of his sister, Benazir Bhutto. Her parents divorced when she was young and Ghinwa Bhutto became her stepmother in 1989.[1] Years later, her mother unsuccessfully attempted to gain parental custody of Fatima.[1]
Bhutto completed her BA degree in Middle Eastern studies [6] from Barnard College of Columbia University,[2][7] after receiving her secondary education at the Karachi American School. She received a Master's degree in South Asian Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London [8] She lives with her stepmother Ghinwa Bhutto, and her half-brother Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Jr.[9] They live at the famous residence 70 Clifton Road in Old Clifton, Karachi, "Karachi's oldest and plushest suburb."
Books
Her book 8.50 a.m. 8 October 2005 marks the moment that brought life to a standstill in Pakistan's north, as a major earthquake jolted the region from Islamabad to the valleys of Azad Kashmir. Fatima Bhutto visited the affected areas to record and compile inspiring accounts of those affected—victims and volunteers—as a tribute to their hope, courage and resilience in the face of calamity.
| “ | There is a dire, ongoing need to recognize and remember that the earthquake didn’t just leave a lot of rubble behind. There are literally millions of people in the need for rehabilitation: physical, emotional, and economic. We urge you to share these stories with as many people as you know, so that you can remind them of the lingering effects of this tragedy, and pave the way for the aid/relief agencies seeking donations, individuals and groups lobbying for international support, and continued financial donations from every individual who is inspired by these stories to continue to help. | ” |
In addition to the book on Earthquake, she also has a book of poetry "whispers in the Desert" on her credit.
[edit]Political involvement
Following the assassination of her aunt, Benazir Bhutto, her entrance into politics has been speculated. She has stated that for now she prefers to remain active through her writing, rather than through elected office.[1] However, she actively supports her mother's chairmanship to the unpopular wing of the Pakistan People's Party (Shaheed Bhutto Group), which failed to win a single seat in the 2008 elections.
| “ | I don't believe in birth-right politics. I don't think, nor have I ever thought, that my name qualifies me for anything |
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