Tag: Benazir Bhutto

  • What did Bilawal and Zardari talk about before he left for Dubai?

    What did Bilawal and Zardari talk about before he left for Dubai?

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari called his father, party’s co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, soon after a controversial interview he gave to Hamid Mir aired on Geo News.

    The former president of Pakistan and Bilawal’s father, Asif Ali Zardari, during an exclusive interview with Hamid Mir on Geo News’ program “Capital Talk”, said that Bilawal is “inexperienced” and that it would take some time for him to gain more exposure, on Thursday.

    “Bilawal is much more talented than I am, but he isn’t experienced,” he said.

    Talking to Geo News’ Shahzeb Khanzada on Friday, Hamid Mir said that soon after the interview, Bilawal called Zardari to explain his narrative.

    “Now, after giving the interview, when he sat in his room, Bilawal called him in front of me. Bilawal tried explaining it to him — and just like a father would talk to his son — Zardari told Bilawal that you don’t need to explain yourself to me,” Mir added.

    He further explained that Zardari told his son the questions were very tough, and he needed to answer them. “Bilawal tried to explain that his narrative wasn’t targeting him and that he was talking about the politics that’s been going on for the past 70 years.”

    According to Mir, Zardari responded with a yes and further said, “But you don’t need to clarify yourself.”

    Bilawal then told Zardari that he would not be able to watch his interview completely because he was boarding a plane to Dubai, Mir said, adding that the former foreign minister said he would watch the interview later.

    Mir asked Zardari why Bilawal was leaving for Dubai. He explained that Sanam Bhutto was coming to Dubai and that he would also leave for Dubai. He said that it was a family gathering and it was pre-planned. Zardari and Bilawal are set to come back soon.

    Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has been campaigning across the country, touting his party as the solution to Pakistan’s ills, while also asking “old politicians (babay)” to sit back and allow the new generation to lead from the front in the elections slated to take place on February 8 next year.

    “Several PPP old-aged leaders, I got to know, also asked Bilawal whether he wanted them to leave. But Bilawal told them that he did not want them to leave. He told them that he wasn’t talking about them.”

    Mir, however, also said that there is no doubt that several questions have been raised after this interview. “But because I’ve known Zardari for years, his actual message wasn’t about Bilawal. But since he’s his son, it became the headlines.”

  • Bilawal leaves suddenly for Dubai, day after Zardari says BBZ has a lot to learn

    Bilawal leaves suddenly for Dubai, day after Zardari says BBZ has a lot to learn

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari left the country for Dubai on Friday following what appears to be a dispute with his father.

    Bilawal’s departure comes a day after his father, former President Asif Ali Zardari, said in an interview on Geo News that he was still training his son.

    Bilawal left the country on a private flight. The party is yet to disclose the reason for his visit.

    In a seeming act of defiance to his father, Bilawal changed his profile picture on X on Friday afternoon, to a photo with his mother Benazir Bhutto, the former Prime Minister and head of the PPP till her assassination in 2017.

    The former president of Pakistan and Bilawal’s father, Asif Ali Zardari, during an exclusive interview with Hamid Mir on Geo News’ program “Capital Talk”, said that Bilawal is “inexperienced” and that it would take some time for him to gain more exposure, on Thursday.

    “Bilawal is much more talented than I am, but he isn’t experienced,” he said.

    The former president said the new generation has its own mindset and the right to express itself.

    He further stated that if he tried to intervene in their affairs, it would just lead to more mess.

    “If Bilawal says, ‘You do politics, I won’t’, then what can I do? People learn over time in politics. I have made several mistakes myself.”

    Zardari also mentioned that Bilawal’s narrative would’ve been the same if we were doing business, “You [Zardari] don’t know anything. It’s the same in politics.”

    Zardari said he is the president of the PPPP, which is authorised to allocate election tickets, while his son Bilawal is chairman of the PPP. “I allocate tickets,” he said.

  • ‘Experience is experience; Bilawal is inexperienced’: Asif Ali Zardari

    ‘Experience is experience; Bilawal is inexperienced’: Asif Ali Zardari

    Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has been campaigning across the country, touting his party as the solution to Pakistan’s ills, while also asking “old politicians (babay)” to sit back and allow the new generation to lead from the front in the elections slated to take place on February 8 next year.

    The former president of Pakistan and Bilawal’s father, Asif Ali Zardari, during an exclusive interview with Hamid Mir on Geo News’ program “Capital Talk”, said that Bilawal is “inexperienced” and that it would take some time for him to gain more exposure.

    “Bilawal is much more talented than I am, but he isn’t experienced,” he said.

    Zardari said the new generation in every house says, “Dad, you don’t know anything”.

    The former president said the new generation has its own mindset and the right to express itself.

    He further stated that if he tried to intervene in their affairs, it would just lead to more mess.

    “If Bilawal says, ‘You do politics, I won’t’, then what can I do? People learn over time in politics. I have made several mistakes myself.”

    Zardari also mentioned that Bilawal’s narrative would’ve been the same if we were doing business, “You [Zardari] don’t know anything. It’s the same in politics.”

    Zardari said during his tenures, there was no political prisoner as he had never resorted to revenge politics. “Every now and then, new allegations were leveled against me, but I never responded to them.”

    Speaking about the different mindsets of the top PPP leaders, Zardari stated that there are two parties — PPP and Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP).

    Zardari said he is the president of the PPPP, which is authorised to allocate election tickets, while his son Bilawal is chairman of the PPP. “I allocate tickets,” he said.

    He also confirmed he has the authority to issue a ticket for Bilawal in the next polls.

    Zardari said his party is actively campaigning because it is certain that general elections will take place on February 8, next year.

  • ‘The sun of February 8 will rise with the message of Bilawal’s victory’: Asif Zardari

    ‘The sun of February 8 will rise with the message of Bilawal’s victory’: Asif Zardari

    Former President Asif Ali Zardari said on Monday that he believes his son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, will win the next election.

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and President Arif Alvi recently decided that the election will take place on February 8, 2024.

    In an official statement issued today, Zardari welcomed the announcement of the election date and said: “The sun of February 8 will rise with the message of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s victory.”

    “A few days of the public’s difficulties are left. The PPP will bring an end to the people’s ordeals,” he added.

    The former president went on to express his gratitude to the public for the party’s victory in by-elections held in Karachi’s nine local government constituencies.

    “Sindh’s heart, Karachi, also raised the slogan of ‘Jiye Bhutto’,” Zardari said while terming Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab and Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad’s wins a “special message for the opponents”.

    “Every party worker may become the ambassador of Benazir Bhutto shaheed and start the electoral campaign,” he added.

    In another statement, Bilawal also congratulated the Karachi by-election winners and said, “The public has given its verdict. Now, God-willing, the PPP’s victory on February 8 is also written on the wall.”

    Before the election, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had been arguing a lot.

    The PPP says the PML-N is secretly working with the current interim government. On the other hand, the PPP has said it is ready to work with the former ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party because they want the election to be fair for everyone.

    This shift in alliances and strategies underscores the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of Pakistani politics, as the country gears up for a pivotal moment in its democratic journey.

  • ‘Election and democracy halted for one person’s return’: Bilawal takes swipe at Nawaz

    ‘Election and democracy halted for one person’s return’: Bilawal takes swipe at Nawaz

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari made thinly veiled references to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif while addressing a public gathering held in connection with the 16th anniversary of the Karsaz tragedy, outside Bilawal House in Karachi.

    He said on Wednesday that the country’s constitution, election, and democracy were halted for “one person’s return.”

    Despite being partners in the last government and demanding the former three-time prime minister’s return, the PPP has kept raising concerns that Nawaz might get “special relief”.

    Nawaz will return to Pakistan on Saturday (October 21) and has been granted protective bail till October 24 in Avenfield and Al-Azizia case. Arrest warrants in Toshakhana case have also been suspended till October 24.

    “Our previous allies will have to acknowledge that delaying elections will not ‘give respect to vote’, rather disrespect it,” Bilawal said during a public rally in Karachi, hitting out at the PML-N, whose slogan has been “vote ko izzt do (give respect to the sanctity of vote)”.

    The PPP chairman also said that he wants to end the politics of divide and abuse, adding that if politicos keep fighting amongst themselves, the country will not progress.

    “We can swallow the ‘bitter pill’ [of holding elections] in more than 90 days only when the election commission announces a date for the polls,” he said.

    He called for holding elections, saying only people had the right to choose their leaders and make decisions for their future.

    “We have to leave politics of abuses and divide behind. We need new leadership… a leadership that is not stuck in the past but thinks about the future. We don’t want 90s’ Pakistan or 2017’s Pakistan. We want today’s Pakistan… Pakistan of 2023… a modern Pakistan,” he added.

    “The tenure of [coalition] government of the last 16 months taught us that Pakistan cannot be run from London,” he said.

    In view of the skyrocketing inflation and depleting economic reserves, the PPP leader demanded that relief should be given to the common man instead of the elite.

  • ‘I have passed all exams of life,’ Zardari tells ‘enemies’.

    ‘I have passed all exams of life,’ Zardari tells ‘enemies’.

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman and former president of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, has told his enemies that “elections are near” and he has passed all “exams of life”, Geo has reported.

    While addressing a dinner party given by PPP leader Ghulam Qadir Mari in Naushero Feroz district on Tuesday, Zardari said, “I was born in this land (Sindh), and I will continue to strive for the development of this land.”

    The PPP co-chairman also said that he is the son of soil and will always struggle for it.

    “The PPP has always served the people. I have struggled all my life, and my workers have also supported me,” said the former president, adding, “We know each other. Allah gave us the opportunity, so we served the people and this soil. I have to be buried in this soil. It is our duty to serve it.”

    The PPP leader also mentioned that he gave Pashtuns their separate identity, and by bringing the 18th Amendment, his party gave provincial service.

    Recounting the sacrifices of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto, Zardari said, “Today, I am serving you, then Bilawal Bhutto will serve, as will Aseefa Bhutto. We are all with the people of Sindh.”

  • Punishments of military officers behind overthrowing Benazir Bhutto’s government upheld

    Punishments of military officers behind overthrowing Benazir Bhutto’s government upheld

    The Supreme Court of Pakistan has upheld the sentences of military officers involved in the conspiracy to overthrow the government of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

    A hearing was held in the Supreme Court against the punishment of the officers involved in the conspiracy to overthrow Benazir Bhutto’s government.

    Supreme Court judge Muneeb Akhtar read out the reserved judgment on February 15.

    The court dismissed the appeals against the sentences of Colonel (retd) Azad Minhas and Colonel (retd) Inayatullah.

    It should be noted that after the petitions were rejected by the Lahore High Court, the petitioners approached the Supreme Court in 2016.

    A Field Court Martial had sentenced Azad Minhas to two years, Inayatullah to four years imprisonment with hard labor and dismissal from service. 

    Both former army officers were prosecuted in 1995 for plotting to overthrow Benazir Bhutto’s government.

    The two officers, alongside retired Maj Gen Zaheerul Islam Abbasi, now deceased, and Brig Mustansir Billah, were arrested on September 26, 1995 on charges of “plotting to storm a meeting of corps commanders scheduled to be held on September 30 that year at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi”.

  • Designer Maheen Khan reveals how she crafted the late Benazir Bhutto’s iconic look

    Designer Maheen Khan reveals how she crafted the late Benazir Bhutto’s iconic look

    On Sunday, Madam Tussaud’s unveiled the wax statue of the first female prime minister of Pakistan and the Muslim world, Benazir Bhutto, in Dubai. Her son, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto was present at the occasion.

    Fashion designer Maheen Khan, who crafted the iconic look Benazir Bhutto wore when she was sworn in as the first woman prime minister of the country in November 1988, has shared a heart warming story on her Instagram page about how she and Bhutto crafted the look together.

    Maheen received a call from the Benazir Bhutto in November 1998, after she had won the elections and needed to design a look in green to wear for the swearing-in ceremony.

    “It was some time In November 1988 that I got a call from Benazir Bhutto. She had just had Bilawal and she had won the elections!
    She was to be Pakistans first Prime minister.
    I immediately rushed to Bilawal House .
    She needed something green to wear to her swearing in ceremony.
    I convinced her to wear a white dupatta , which I got her .
    I decided immediately that chiffon wouldn’t do so I got her a soft muslin which would drape well .
    Years later she rang to say she had given the outfit to Madame Toussards .”The Maheen label is still on it ” she said
    The white dupatta has since become the signature of every female politician.
    Magical memories of an amazing ,warm , affectionate woman .
    Rest in peace dear BB
    Innalillahe wainnaillaihe rajeoon.”

  • Bilawal Bhutto attends unveiling of Benazir Bhutto’s statue at Madame Tussauds in Dubai

    Bilawal Bhutto attends unveiling of Benazir Bhutto’s statue at Madame Tussauds in Dubai

    Foreign Minister of Pakistan Bilawal Bhutto Zardari attended the Commemoration Ceremony at which a wax figure of his mother, the Muslim world’s first female Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, was unveiled at Madame Tussauds in Dubai.

    In a tweet on Sunday, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman said that, “With immense pride and humility, I attended the unveiling of the statue of the first Pakistani personality to be commemorated at Madame Tussauds today in Dubai – the inimitable, the indomitable, the irreplaceable, my mother, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.”

    He hoped that  statue will serve to inspire generations to come and remind us of the enduring resonance of the values of his mother lived and fought for – democracy, justice, human rights, rule of law, compassion, and freedom.

    He further expressed gratitude to the Madame Tussauds Dubai on behave of the Bhutto Family for the gesture, he said, “My family and I, and indeed, all Pakistanis are profoundly grateful to Madame Tussauds Dubai for honouring Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s memory and legacy.”

    The late Benazir Bhutto was the first female Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Muslim world. She became the head of the country at the age of 35, after a prolonged fight against the dictatorship of General Zia-ul-Haq, who had hanged her father, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

    Benazir Bhutto was killed in a terrorist attack in Rawalpindi after giving a speech at an election rally in December 2007. Just two months earlier, she had survived a terrorist attack on her convoy after her triumphant return to Pakistan.

  • Five times when female politicians told the patriarchy to sit down and shut up

    Five times when female politicians told the patriarchy to sit down and shut up

    The time when patriarchal societies used to dictate to women is long gone. In the past, we witnessed how difficult it was for women to rule in a man’s world because of casual sexism. However, now things have changed. Women know how to stand up for themselves.

    In honour of International Women’s Day, let’s rewind to the times when women leaders told the patriarchy to sit down and shut up.

    1- First Muslim World Female Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto

    At the top of the list, we have former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who became the very first woman to hold the position in the Muslim world. At 35, she was also one of the youngest chief executives in the world. As prime minister, she was often referred to as the “Iron Lady of Pakistan” for her uncompromising approach to negotiating with unions. During her first tenure, she was removed by then-President Ghulam Ishaq Khan but was elected again by her people. She won the hearts of many with her courageous and empowering speeches at a time when politics were male-dominated and no one would have thought that Pakistan would elect a woman to lead the country.

    2- Sherry Rehman at her wittiest best

    If you want a guide or need tips on how to deal with the misogyny that exists even in Pakistan’s Senate, you need to watch Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Climate Change, Senator Sherry Rehman.

    Last year, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani called Rehman the “Senate’s dadi (grandmother)”. To this, casual sexism, she responded by saying: “I would advise you to only ask specific questions so that Sherry Rehman, who is the dadi of this House, can give you the right answers.”

    3- Take notes from Jacinda Ardern

    In December, New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern shut down a male journalist for asking a misogynist question when she was hosting Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin.

    The journalist asked, “A lot of people will be wondering: ‘Are you two meeting just because you’re similar in age and have got a lot of common stuff there — when you got into politics and stuff — or can Kiwis actually expect to see more deals between our two countries down the line?”

    Ardern interrupted the question to say that she wondered “Whether or not anyone ever asked Barack Obama and John Key if they met because they were of similar age.”

    Well, this is how you deal with misogyny!

    4- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez fires back

    Now, we bring you US Congress Member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez excoriating her Republican colleague, Rep. Ted Yoho of Florida, after he verbally attacked her on the steps of the Capitol and used a sexist slur overheard by a reporter, calling her a “fucking bitch,” then issued a non-apology from the House floor. Later, on the floor, Alexandria said: “My mother got to see Mr. Yoho’s disrespect on the floor of this House towards me on television and I am here because I have to show my parents that I am their daughter and that they did not raise me to accept abuse from men.”

      5- Hina Rabbani’s bold move

      Last year in November, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar went to meet the Taliban government in Afghanistan which is famously notorious for its mistreatment of women and its denial of women’s rights. The arrival of a woman to hold talks with the government proved to be such a powerful move. Netizens couldn’t help but root for Khar, deeming it a boss move to have a woman represent Pakistan, especially before a government as stuck in the stone age as the Taliban.