The emergence of a new Bhutto

Published December 27, 2012

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Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, the son of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and President Zardari, made his first major public speech on Thursday, December 27, to vast crowds gathered in Garhi Khuda Baksh to mark the fifth anniversary of his mother’s assassination.

“Bhutto is an emotion, a love,” he said. “Every challenge is soaked in blood, but you will be the loser. How ever many Bhuttos you kill, more Bhuttos will emerge from every house.”

“There are two kinds of powers in this country: that which prefers the path of dictatorship, and then there is the power of the people…On one side we stand up as a wall against the terrorists, and then there are those who are even afraid to take their names,” said Bilawal in his speech.

Acting as a figurehead for the political campaign till he turns 25, do you think the new Bhutto could prove an important turning point for democracy and politics in Pakistan?

Besides setting out to avenge the assassination of his mother, will he be able to stay committed to the larger war against terrorism in the country?

Lastly, do you think Bilawal is politically mature enough to understand the complex dynamics of the state of affairs in Pakistan?

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