By Tariq Ali

In 1985 BBC Commissioned Tariq Ali to write a three-part TV series on the circumstances leading to the overthrow, trial and execution of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, the first elected Prime Minister of Pakistan. As rehearsals were about to begin, the BBC hierarchy - under pressure from the Foreign Office - decided to cancel the project. Why? General Zia ul Haq, the dictator at the time, was leading the jihad against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. He was backed by the USA. According to expert legal opinion, there was a possibility of a whole range of defamation suits from the head of state to judges involved in the case. In consequence, it was decided not to broadcast this hard-hitting and provocative play. The Leopard and the Fox presents both the script and the story of censorship.
Tariq Ali, who was commissioned by the BBC to write the TV serial in 1985, has now published the play in the book form titled ‘The Leopard and the Fox’.
“There was one grave and two candidates. It was either Bhutto or (Gen) Zia and since (Gen) Zia had the whip hand he got rid of Bhutto before Bhutto could get him,” ... Tariq Ali

Published Date: 20/02/2007 Format: PaperBack ISBN: 1905422296 Publisher: Seagull Books Rating: Retail price: Rs. 495.00 Our price: Rs. 695.00 Reviews: 1 reivew(s).

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