Pakistan: Aseefa Bhutto enters politics, files nomination papers for by-polls
Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, the youngest daughter of Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari and the late Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, has entered the country's political arena by submitting her candidacy for a by-election at a National Assembly seat in Sindh Province, which was vacated by her father.
At 31 years old, Aseefa has been involved in politics for some time but was previously kept away from parliamentary involvement by her father, who is also the co-chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). However, with her father's inauguration as the 14th president of Pakistan, Aseefa is now poised to assume the role of First Lady, traditionally held by the president's spouse.
Aseefa filed her nomination papers on Sunday for the NA-207 constituency of Shaheed Benzirabad district in Sindh province, a seat previously held by her father before he vacated it upon assuming the presidency.
Having a striking resemblance to her mother, who tragically lost her life in a bombing and suicide attack in 2007 in Rawalpindi, Aseefa's entry into politics carries emotional significance. As a teenager at the time of her mother's death, Aseefa experienced profound emotional turmoil, particularly when compared to her two elder siblings, Bakhtawar and Bilawal.
While Bilawal, aged 35, has already assumed leadership of the PPP, Aseefa is seen as a natural heir to her mother's political legacy. Benazir Bhutto, who took over the party after the execution of her father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1979, has left a formidable imprint on Pakistani politics, and Aseefa's entry into parliament is expected to further solidify the family's influence.
The upcoming by-elections on April 21 present a promising opportunity for Aseefa, with her victory almost assured. Her parliamentary debut will not only bolster the PPP's position but also reinforce the Bhutto-Zardari family's political stature.
In summary, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari's decision to enter the political arena marks a significant development in Pakistan's political landscape. As she steps into her mother's footsteps, her candidacy for the upcoming by-election signifies a continuation of the Bhutto legacy and underscores the enduring influence of the PPP in Pakistani politics.
By: Sahiba Suri
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