Benazir Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party announced today that her son, 19-year-old Oxford University student, Bilawal Zardari, has become the titular head of the party. Zardari’s father, Asif Zardari and Bhutto confidant Makhdoom Amin Fahim have been named co-chairmen.
The decision to make the 19-year-old co-ed the leader of Pakistan’s largest political party had been made at a “crucial meeting” on January 29, in which both Zardari’s father, 51-year-old former agriculture minister and convicted felon who spent 8 years in a Pakistani prison for corruption and Fahim were present.
Bilawal Zardari will serve in an undefined “ceremonial” role until he has finished college. Sources in Pakistan expect Zardari’s father to run the country in his place.
”My mother always said democracy is the best revenge,” said the younger Zardari in a news conference.
As the Pakistan People’s Party was reconstituted around Bilawal Zardari, the Pakistani government has been in negotiations with all political parties to postpone the election. The Hindu reported that Pervez Musarraf’s government will postpone elections “in principle.”
Zardari, a self-described “fitness freak” whose hobbies include Tae Kwon Do and target shooting, has spent his childhood in exile between Dubai and London. Previous to his election, he served as student council vice-president at the Rashid School for Boys in Dubai.
The Hindu asked Bilawal Zardari whether or not he would pursue a political career in an interview 4 years ago. Zardari said, “We will see, I don’t know. I would like to help the people of Pakistan, so I will decide when I finish my studies.”
Zardari supporters thronged the streets after the announcement, chanting ”Benazir, princess of heaven” and ”Bilawal, move ahead. We are with you.”
Earlier today, Asif Zardari announced that his family have taken the surname “Bhutto.”
Zardari and the Pakistan People’s Party have tried to convince their supporters that they have found a viable democratic leader in Bilawal, but many believe that this political move will force Pakistan further away from democracy.
“There is no democracy outside of the party,” wrote a blogger on Chapati Mystery. “No reason for it to exist within.”
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Bilawal zardari has guts of her mom and he can lead the party! although he is much younger and has to learn alot but he is the right choice for PPP