“But, Prime Minister…”: Interactions With Benazir Bhutto, The World’s First Muslim Woman Prime Minister

DescriptionAn insider’s story of his association with Benazir Bhutto, the world’s first Muslim woman Prime Minister and one of Pakistan’s most enigmatic politicians.Javed Jabbar narrates the real-life fascinating story of his association with one of the most enigmatic Pakistani politicians of recent years; in a memoir that is part confessional, part creative non-fiction which is as engrossing as lived history can be. Jabbar’s straight talking presence is very much present in his writing as is his obvious admiration, compassion and respect for Pakistan’s first woman Prime Minister whom he served with distinction in his ministerial and political capacity. In a series of fragmental collages ranging from the intimacy of private meetings with a vulnerable yet strong woman to her courage in the face of massive opposition to her governance and gender; an unafraid Jabbar coaxes a brushfire of responses to his memoir from his readers with a slice of private Pakistani history that is eminently readable.Reviews“..a memoir that is part confessional, part creative non-fiction which is as engrossing as history can be..” – Navid Shahzad, Author of “Azlan’s Roar”“…a most enjoyable and informative read” – Owen Bennett-Jones, author of “The Bhutto Dynasty: The Struggle for Power”Author BiographySenator (R) Javed Jabbar has distinctions in diverse fields. He is a public intellectual who makes contributions to leading think tanks, research centers, public forums on a range of subjects. He has received numerous international and national honors for his contributions and achievements .He is the husband of Shabnam Jabbar, an independent entrepreneur, designer and home-maker. They have two children: Mehreen Jabbar, the award-winning director of TV plays and cinema films; Barrister Kamal Kadeer Jabbar who specializes in banking and financial law and is a partner in Keystone Law, Dubai. His grandson is Zaka Zahir Jabbar who is exploring the marvels of school education.Javed Jabbar’s 15th book “Pathways — selected writings 2010-2015” won the UBL Literature Prize for the Best English non-fiction book at the 9th Karachi Literature Festival 2017. His 16th book “What is Pakistaniat?” is prescribed in leading education and training institutions.He devotes substantial working time to voluntary work for several public service organizations. He is presently the Chairman, and co-founder (with economist Dr. Hafiz Pasha in 1995) of the Social Policy & Development Centre, one of Asia’s most reputed independent research centers and think tanks. SPDC has 700 publications to date. He is the founding chairman of the South Asian Media Association, Colombo, 1992.He is present Chairperson and co-founder (1994) of SPO (Strengthening Participatory Organization), which works in the development sector at the grass-roots level across Pakistan.He is present Chairman and co-founder of SOS Children’s Villages of Sindh, (founded 1982) and Member, Board of Governors of SOS Pakistan which cares for hundreds of orphaned and abandoned children and provides vocational training to youth.He is founding Chairman, Publican Alumni Trust (since 2010) which operates a reputed school for students from low-income families in Korangi, Karachi.Javed Jabbar is Chairman, Advisory Council, Malir University of Science and Technology, Karachi and Member, Board of Directors, National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA).From his school years at Cantonment Public School, Karachi, St Patrick’s College and the University of Karachi 1963-66, and thereafter, he has founded or been elected to lead a large number of initiatives and organizations in Pakistan and in overseas countries .He is a former Senator and has served in 3 Federal Cabinets as Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Science and Technology, Petroleum and Natural Resources, and Adviser to the Chief Executive of Pakistan on National Affairs. He has represented Pakistan at major UN conferences.New laws and policies initiated by him have introduced major reforms in different sectors, particularly the inception of private TV and radio channels and freedom of information.Among several conflict management and conflict resolution initiatives he is associated with , he is a Member since 1992 of the longest-running, quiet, non-media-reported Pakistan-India Track II Dialogue known as the Neemrana Initiative, suspended since 2015.He was elected global Vice President of IUCN for 8 years, 2004-2012 in the world’s oldest and largest environment organization comprising over 130 countries.In 2019, he was invited to serve on an honorary basis as Adviser to the National Curriculum Council.In the past 10 years, he has been appointed by the Supreme Court and High Courts as amicus curiae and to serve as mediator to (successfully) resolve media conflicts, and as Member of the Media Commission, 2013 whose landmark report was written by him. He frequently writes on a range of subjects, including national history, current affairs and political economy for leading journals .He has received numerous national and international awards and recognitions for his work in diverse fields such as writing, film-making, voluntary service , environment . The cinema film “Ramchand Pakistani” (2008) of which he was the writer and producer — and which was directed by his daughter Mehreen Jabbar — won several international awards in Europe and Asia. In 1976, Pakistan’s first — and so far, only — English language cinema film “Beyond the Last Mountain” (Urdu version: “Musafir”) which he wrote, produced and directed was screened to laudatory reviews at several international film festivals. He has written and directed dozens of popular and award-winning TV commercials and documentaries.In December 2019, at Adasia 2019 in Lahore the Asian Federation of Advertising Associations inducted him into its Hall of Fame for his distinctive contributions to mass communications.In February 2020, the All Pakistan Newspapers’ Society presented him with its Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2015, the Pakistan Society of Advertisers presented its first Lifetime Achievement Award to him.The Human Rights Society of Pakistan presented him with a Gold Medal for outstanding public service.He is a visiting professor at leading institutions in Pakistan and overseas.