meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
Today in Focus

Fatima Bhutto on secrets, lies and surviving coercive control

Today in Focus

The Guardian

News, Daily News

4.65.9K Ratings

🗓️ 2 February 2026

⏱️ 43 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

The Pakistani writer on enduring an abusive relationship in the public eye, and how she broke free. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

This is the Guardian.

0:08.8

Today, Fatma Butto on surviving an abusive relationship while living in the public eye.

0:28.3

Fathamabuttow on surviving an abusive relationship while living in the public eye. Fatama Bhutto was born into one of Pakistan's most famous families,

0:33.9

a wealthy and powerful political dynasty, marked by decades of bloody violence.

0:36.4

This is the radio of Pakistan.

0:42.3

Zilfarlandi Bhutto was hanged to death at 2 o'clock this morning in Ravlpindi district jail.

0:43.3

They wouldn't even open the cell doors for me to kiss him goodbye.

0:46.3

The blood of my husband will be the sacrifice we have made for Pakistan.

0:59.0

The leading Pakistani politician Benazir Bhutto has been assassinated.

1:04.0

She was killed in a terrorist attack as she was leaving an election rally in the city of Raukina.

1:10.0

She has been martyred, said Barbara one.

1:14.5

Threats to the family were constant.

1:17.3

And so the need to keep secrets became Fatima's norm.

1:20.2

There were days I remember where my father would wake me up in the morning and say,

1:24.0

you can't go to school, we've got to leave the house.

1:26.5

You can't tell anyone where you are.

1:28.3

And maybe we'll come back in a week.

1:30.8

Fatma's father, Murda Zaboto,

1:33.5

was killed in a police shootout outside the family home.

1:37.3

She was just 14 years old.

1:39.7

Her world turned utterly upside down.

1:43.1

Not even a week after my father was killed, my stepmother came up to

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from The Guardian, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of The Guardian and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.