Launching Bilawal Bhutto
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. — Photo by Reuters/File
It’s been three decades since Zulfikar Ali Bhutto created the hype around his persona and politics, and lasting it has certainly proven to be.
Today, his children and their off-springs might have moved away from each other, but efforts are in full swing to retain and cash in on the Bhutto name in the upcoming elections.
In conversations with Dawn, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) stalwarts confided that even though Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would turn 25 in September next year – the minimum age to contest elections in the country – his father President Asif Ali Zardari is intent on launching his son’s formal political career by May when general elections would be held.
A sitting PPP member of the National Assembly from Sindh claimed that just like it is unimaginable for the Congress in India to go into elections without a Gandhi leading its campaign, it is unthinkable for PPP leaders to disassociate themselves from the Bhuttos.
“Whether somebody likes it or not, Bilawal, Asifa and Bakhtawar are the face of the party. The PPP is synonymous with the Bhuttos, and after the untimely death of their mother, they have to don this mantle for the party’s cause,” he tried to rationalise the dynastic politics at play.
“It’s an association that not even President Zardari can challenge. A Bhutto addressing an election rally always creates an extra amount of energy among voters, which the party cannot afford to lose with elections round the corner,” he pointed out.
He added: “Since Bakhtawar, 22, doesn’t take much interest in politics, and Asifa, 19, is too young to address public rallies, the PPP is left with no choice but to field Bilawal in active politics. The sisters will be making appearances in the run-up to the general elections.”
Indeed, a dedicated group of party leaders is actively involved in grooming Bilawal, and brief him on party affairs regularly.
Their job is made easier by the fact that over the last year or so, Bilawal himself has started taking interest in politics.
Insiders told this scribe that the speech that Bilawal delivered on Tuesday to a group of students invited to the Presidency under the programme titled “Pakistan: Leaders of Tomorrow” had more thought put into it than realised by people.
“Do you really think it was just an off-the-cuff speech,” remarked the PPP source, “It was a 4,000 plus words speech that highlighted every single issue of the country both on the domestic and international level. This series of public interactions to selected students from universities all over the country is the launch of his political life.”Indeed, Bilawal talked about the country’s on-going fight against militancy, PPP’s so-called achievements over the last four years and his willingness to work with Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan, Jamaat-i-Islami, and any other political force willing to participate in the election.
And quite expectedly, he brought in his late mother Benazir Bhutto’s resolve and vision for the betterment of the country, and repeatedly drew parallels between his mother’s struggle for a liberal and educated Pakistan with Malala Yousafzai, a young girl shot by the Taliban for advocating girls education.
Another parliamentarian told Dawn said that familial links have deep roots in Pakistani politics and will stay for a long time to come which will not give new people a chance to come in and prove their mettle.
“Can the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz contest elections without the Sharif brothers as the party’s premier candidates, or can someone else besides Asfandyar Wali Khan lead the Awami National Party?” the PPP leader went on, “I can’t predict the future, how these political parties will play out 10 to 20 years down the road in the country, but for the moment, it is all about families and their iron fist on their respective parties.”
“These families do not want to share anything with people sitting around them,” he concluded.
Why in India and Pakistan people always support dynasty rule and think about only Rahul and Bilawal Bhutto? It is time to think outside the box.
It’ll be big mistake for him to enter Pakistani politics. Don’t these people ever learn a lesson?
Sounds like launching of a new cosmic probe, a great news for PPP jayalas. Father will make sure launching is smooth & he goes to highest orbit.
Bhuttos have already made a lot of “sacrifices” for our country. Only fair that we dont ask them for more sacrifice!
Will be better for Bhuttos and BEST for the country!
Please give us a break.Bilawal Zardari can never be a Bhutto. Asif Ali Zardari was born in a politically unknown Zardari family.Bilawal Zardari’s grand father was not a heavy weight poiltician but became known after the marriage of his son president Zardari with Benazir Bhutto which happen to come to them Zardaris as a “Golden touch of Midas” and president himself cunningly takes an advantage.
In Asian countries or in other countries of the world, it is unusual to adopt mother’s family name.Looking next door in India Mrs.Indira Gandhi did not name her children as those of Nehru dynasty but gave them their father’s name as this is a norm in any family.
If Zardari believes that his Zardari league will,with this move sweep the polls because of Bhutto name,then I am sure he would be grossly over-estimating his wishful thinking bit on the contrary he has made a mockery of Bhutto name and the principles of his party which will suffer a set back almost all over and one might see the demise of Bhutto’s party.
He is being “launched”…? This is not the Iphone or a new game-boy game – this is the future of Pakistan, the future of 185million citizens in the hands of by-and-large one individual! Installing Bilawal as head of state (by unfair means) would be severely undermining the democratic process. More so because he probably does not have any interest in running this country – he has been brought up in Dubai and would not want to waste his talents by investing them in a country like Pakistan. Someone who is passionate about this country and wants to salvage its future needs to be elected – whether such an individual exists or not, especially on the current political platform, is questionable
Pakistan is not a family business. In order to prosper Pakistan need to establish full democracy.
It doesn’t matter as our people always want to be slaves. No matter whose the master. Reason? Theif and cheats benifit from each other. And you may or may not be aware but thats the majority of people. They deserve all the suffering the get.
Pakistani should realize that Imran is no body’s son but a talented son of Pakistan.
Why Bilawal shoud be deprived from politics? Is he not a Pakistani? Is he not politically educated? His father is the President, his mother twice PM , his grand father ZA Bhutto PM for Pakistan. Is Bilawal not more young than IK? Is Bilawal not more educated than Hamza? Why U do not speak about sharif brother siblings, Choudhri siblings, Pir pagarra sibling and many more. U are scared from 2 Zardaries because U can not face and defeat them in election.
“Why Bilawal shoud be deprived from politics”, coz of his dad !
No one is saying Bilawal should be deprived of poitics. But is he the leader because he has some merit or just because he belongs to the Bhutto clan. Would he have made it to the top of any political party on his own merit? the answer is obviously No.
I agree to your comment about merit. When he joined politics he will make merits. No one can deny his merits about his blood about the secrification of his mom, grand father and mom. ” BULLAy THAA BULLA NA SEHI MUTHHEY TEY PHULLY TO HAI” On the top of these merits constitution allow hyim. U do one thing create ability, make vote bank and compete him. I have sweety question for U. Please tell me the merits of Hamza, Monis, Mamona, Marium Nawaz and many other. Those are unable to face Zardari in or out of parliament using these devices. Finnaly Bilawal will join politics latter or soon. Date: Sat, 24 Nov 2012 15:14:28 +0000 To: makkah2010@live.ca
hahahahah its funny!!! the news is about bilawal so we are commenting about bilawal, otherwise all the names you mentioned above fall in same category!!!
So his claim to fame is that he was born in an elite family who is ruling, thrown out and ruling again; and that entitles him to continue the family hobby. What is his contribution to the country? Oh I am done partying in Europe and it is time to return home and rule! Awesome.
You really want him to run the country? Have we not had enough?
Well, most already disagree with your comment so here is some support. Bilawal has a right to join politics but the way political parties work in Pakistan, if he wins a small time seat, he could be chosen as the president if his party has the majority – I cannot speak for the Peoples Party but Pakistan certainly does not deserve a kid whose only qualification to lead Pakistan, as your note clearly suggests, is the positions of his parents and grand parents – who, by the way also got those positions roughly the same way.
Thank U for your suport. let me explain U that Bilawal is not going to be president as he wish to stay in politics long. If president he is going to be retired. If ppp wins Zardari staying as president. Mostly Bilawal staying in sind. If in federation may interior. He needs a long experience Date: Sun, 25 Nov 2012 09:14:47 +0000 To: makkah2010@live.ca
The nation is tired of siblings political business. When will you open your eyes? The country is on the verge of collapsing. Our country’s reserve has been looted with both hands. If it has to do anything with his back ground, he should not be elected. The nation has suffered the most during his father’s regime and his mother was not a Saint too.
Why U are not tired from siblings of sharif brother like Hamza and Marium Nawaz, Monis of Choudhary brotheran, Mamona of Javed Hashmi and many other? If U have determination reject Bilawal through vote. Date: Sat, 24 Nov 2012 18:18:36 +0000 To: makkah2010@live.ca
The 88+ thumbs down to your remark clearly shows what people think of Bilawal Zardari.
Bilawal Grand father ZAB looted the country and divided the country . Bilawal Mother BB looted the country 2 times and now Bilawal father Asif Ali Zardari is looting with both hands . Why Bilawal will be left out? this is in their blood to loot the poor and destroy the country.
That is the problem that every member of his family has been in the dirty politics of pakistan. This unfortunate young man was forced to change his sir name from Zardari to Bhutto to be the chairman of PPP. What a pity ? As for as Sharifs, Pagharas and others are concerned they share the same corrupt DNA with Bhuttos and Zardaris. These people are convicted criminals in Switzerland and were chrged with crimes in the UK. Wake up my poor blind brother.
You are correct but this is Yazidyat rule father to Son. This is for what Imam Hussain gave his and family scrafies. What you say…….
What are his ideas on abolishing Bribery and Wadera systems from Pakistan.
It is so sad that the very family that played a major role in the destruction of Pakistan is still a key player in Pakistani politics. The people of Pakistan should not blame anyone but themselves for the miserable situation in the country because they keep on electing these crooks.
Moghal dynasty ended and then Bhutto dynasty began. When would the country have a true democracy?
what a country
His first test should be to arrive at the airport and find his way home on his own?
Do we have now to continue to live in misery? Did we not have enough of these?
Let us have prayers all over the country to get rid of this so called champion of Awam party
Prayers not enough!!! Action speaks louder than words!!!
Should not it be Bilawal Zardari? Using mom’s last name instead of Dad’s?
Today Pakistan struck in great crises and i cannot except that Bilawl done any thing for the country because he live more then 20 year of his life outside country and live luxries life.and he is not the real blood of Bhutto family .
family politics is the mother of democracy, why it is necessary that only Bilawal can serve the pakistanis.
Wakeup Pakistan his Gfather was corrupt his mother was corrupt; his father is corrupt what can you accept form Bilawal. He will be the SON of all corruption.
He is no Rahul Gandhi. Bilawal is ready to be launched but his end will no more be different from sky lab. Wait for his fall.
What an approach.I fully endorse it Gentleman.
When someone says these families which were in power more than once delivered nothing, I object and claim they delivered indeed, i.e, misery to masses, corruption to governance, money for their siblings, bad name to country, and ultimately destroying Pakistan! They delivered all this because we let them do so!
indeed ady
and we will do it yet again. the supporters of main stream parties remain unphased by the dismal performance of these parties
What an approach.I fully endorse it Gentleman.
You speak for all Pakistani who care for this land and grief for its people plight
why is it that most of the muslim countries with a few exception, are not progressing or have bull dozed their people with their might and strength and are ruling the country for centuries eg saudia arabia;UAE;qatar;kuwait etc or their families are carying on with the party eg pakistan;bangladesh etc
Because the Western Powers are supporting these despotic criminals in their dictatorships. This is being done so that the common people of these muslim countries can never achieve full Democracy.
It is a combination of several reasons, but as a person of European extraction you should know that Europe has done all it can to destroy Muslim societies, including installing and supporting feudalism that Bilawal is a product of.
You might have noticed that most Muslim nations not suffering from this malaise are those that were never colonized by Europe, like Turkay and Iran.
A valid question.yet these countries are not only surviving but progressing.What is wrong about it?.
He is Zardari junior…………and one zardari is more than enough for Pakistan….then why he is being launched.
To anchor the PPP democracy as it is going through some TURBULENCE after 4.6 years. When you launch you have to ANCHOR or lift the ANCHOR. we will see at this launch what it would it result.
His merit is his being the grand son of ZAB and not the son of AAZ.ZAB died for people and now people must pay it back.
Do you really believe that ZAB died for “people” ? How gullible can one be? And even if he did, any idea when this payback will stop?
This ZAB family is making shadet a Joke. Sorry guys jut want to put out there. I think Pakistani Awam has paid more to this family then they deserved. All these Nawaz ffamily , Bhutto family including Zardari shoud not be allowed to be on Ballouts. Pakistan needs a strong leader whois not easily bought by USA or Saudi Governament.
Why and what should the people pay back? We do not have a monarchy, why should people pledge allegiance to any Family?
If he wants to be leader of this country he should ask forgiveness for his father’s sins, return the looted money to the people, and then commit himself to the service of the people. Otherwise, he is no different than Musa Gilani or any other spoiled brat.
Why only be selecetive towards PPP leaders. How about Chief Justices son? Why not mention “brats” from Nawaz family?
Well said.Couldn’t agree more.
Something new will happen in next elections more parties and more confusion. The horse trading will go on and money will flow to buy people.
Please I request all Pakistanis not to vote in the names of Bhottos, Zardaries, Sharifs, Walis and etc. Save Pakistan from these families infected with plague of corruption, nepotism and above all unpatriotic because their looted wealth and money of this poor country is invested out side.
And you think that would be something “new” ?