ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has decided not to become chief of the Zardari tribe, passing on the title to his son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari instead.

“President Zardari has decided not to become the chief of his tribe,” president’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar said on Friday. “He has decided to pass on the mantle of tribal leadership to his son and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.”

Mr Babar said that as per tribal custom the president was supposed to become the head of Zardari tribe after the death of his father Hakim Ali Zardari. However, the president refused to become a tribal chieftain.

The ceremony at which the mantle of tribal leadership is passed from one generation to the other, called “Dastar Bandi”, usually takes place soon after the Soyem of the deceased chieftain, according to Mr Babar.

“However, in case of Bilawal, the Dastar Bandi has been put off until such time as the overall situation in the country improves,” he said.

Meanwhile, President Zardari has not held any political event or meeting in the Presidency since the Lahore High Court verdict that barred him from taking part in political engagements.

“Not a single political meeting has been held in the Presidency since the court order,” Mr Babar added.—Staff Reporter