born Jan. 5, 1928, near Larkana, Sindh, India
died April 4, 1979, Rawalpindi, Pak.
President (1971–73) and prime minister (1973–77) of Pakistan.
Son of a prominent politician, he was educated in India, the U.S., and Britain. He served eight years in the government of Mohammad Ayub Khan (1907–74) then resigned to form the Pakistan People's Party (1967). After the overthrow of the Ayub Khan regime and the Pakistani civil war, Bhutto became president (1971). He nationalized several key industries and taxed landed families. He became prime minister in 1973, and his government, retaining martial law, began a process of Islamization. Bhutto's party won elections in 1977, but the opposition accused him of electoral fraud. Gen. Zia-ul-Haq seized power and had Bhutto imprisoned and later executed. Benazir Bhutto is his daughter.