Zardari Bhutto: Son of Assassinated Benazir Bhutto is Continuing the Family Political Legacy

Benazir Bhutto, former prime minister of Pakistan, was assassinated by a suicide attack in 2007. Now, Pakistan is witnessing the rise of her son and political heir, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.

Zardari, a 24 year old graduate of Oxford University, recently addressed over 200,000 supporters along with other leaders of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

Some argue that Zardari’s rise to power is evidence of lingering dynastic politics in Pakistan. Zardari was appointed co-chairman of the PPP just days after the Bhutto assassination. At the time, he was only 19, but supporters and party leaders look forward to the continuation of the Bhutto legacy.

At the rally, Zardari delivered a stump speech about the problems in Pakistan. He also spoke of the terrorism that led to the death of his mother. He spoke of women’s issues, tying the shooting of Malala Yousafzai, the young girl shot by Taliban for supporting education, to the death of his mother. Saying, “To those who attack Malala, I say, if you attack one Malala, thousands of Malala’s will be born” and for every Benazir Bhutto martyred, “every woman will become a Benazir.”

After his speech, President Zardari spoke, claiming that his son’s education is finished and that his political training had begun. With the support of his father and the Bhutto name, Bilawal Bhutto- Zardari is prime to become a force in Pakistani politics.