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Reuters
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, son of assassinated former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto, makes a speech to launch his political career during the fifth anniversary of his mother's death on Thursday.
The 24-year-old son of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto launched his political career Thursday with a fiery speech before thousands of cheering supporters observing the fifth anniversary of his mother's assassination.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's speech comes several months before national elections are expected to be held. He is too young to participate in the elections himself — the minimum age is 25 — but is likely to be a key asset for the ruling Pakistan People's Party. The party's popularity has plummeted since it took power nearly five years ago as the country has struggled with a weak economy and bloody Taliban insurgency.
Before dawn on the same day, dozens of militants armed with rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons attacked two tribal police posts in Pakistan's northwest, killing two policemen, officials said. Twenty-one other policemen are missing and presumed kidnapped.
Zardari was made chairman of the Pakistan People's Party after his mother's death but has mainly played a background role until now while he completed his studies at Oxford University in Britain.
"I want to tell you that thanks to God he has completed his studies, but now is the time of his training," his father, President Asif Ali Zardari, told the crowd of supporters Thursday in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh village in southern Sindh province, site of the Bhutto family mausoleum. "He has to study Pakistan, he has to learn from you and he has to work according to your thinking."
AFP-Getty images
Pakistani supporters gather outside the Bhutto family mausoleum in Garhi Dera Bakhsh on Thursday. More than 200,000 people gathered for the occasion, the fifth anniversary of the assassination of former Pakistan premier Benazir Bhutto.
The Bhutto family has played a prominent role in Pakistani politics for much of the country's 65-year history. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's grandfather, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, founded the Pakistan People's Party and served as both the country's president and prime minister in the 1970s. He was eventually hanged in 1979 after Gen. Zia ul-Haq seized power in a military coup.
Benazir Bhutto twice served as prime minister in the 1980s and 1990s but never completed a full term. Her governments were dismissed both times under the cloud of corruption allegations by presidents who were close to the country's powerful army. She was killed in a gun and suicide bomb attack on Dec. 27, 2007, shortly after returning from self-imposed exile to participate in national elections.
After her death, the Pakistan People's Party rode a wave of public sympathy to garner the most seats in the 2008 elections, and Asif Ali Zardari was elected president. But the popularity of both the party and the president has fallen significantly since then as the government has failed to address pressing problems, such as Pakistan's shortage of electricity and stuttering economy. The government has also struggled in its fight against the Pakistani Taliban, who have killed thousands of people in attacks throughout the country.
From the archives: A suicide bombing at a political rally kills Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto. NBC's Matt Lauer reports.
Rasul Bakhsh Rais, a political science professor at Lahore University of Management Sciences, said it was not a surprise that the Pakistan People's Party unveiled Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in an attempt to boost its fortunes in the upcoming elections, which are expected by June at the latest.
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"This is Pakistan and dynastic politics is the norm," said Rais. "Bilawal is perhaps the only card left in the chest of the Pakistan People's Party."
Archival video, Dec. 27, 2007: Benazir Bhutto was born to lead the fight for democracy in a hard-line Muslim nation. NBC's Chris Clackum looks back at her life.
Both Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his father sought to whip up the emotions of the crowd Thursday by shouting "Long live Bhutto" and "Bhutto is alive." Many of the supporters waved the red, black and green flag of the Pakistan People's Party and held pictures of Benazir Bhutto and her father.
"If you kill one Bhutto, one thousand more Bhuttos will emerge," said Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
He took a swipe at the judiciary, which has clashed with the current government, by asking why people arrested for suspected involvement in his mother's murder have yet to be convicted.
But some critics have questioned why Zardari has not done more to push forward the investigation during more than four years as president.
The president at the time of her death, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, blamed the Pakistani Taliban for the attack, and five suspected militants are facing trial for alleged involvement in the killing. The Pakistani Taliban have denied targeting Bhutto.
AFP-Getty images
A Pakistani supporter carries a portrait of former Pakistan premier Benazir Bhutto outside the Bhutto family mausoleum in Garhi Dera Bakhsh on Thursday.
PhotoBlog: Bhutto's son launches political career on anniversary of mother's assassination
A Pakistani court issued an arrest warrant for Musharraf last year over allegations he played a role in the attack, which he has denied. Arrest warrants were also issued for two senior police officials accused of negligence in the assassination. Prosecutors accused one of the officials of failing to provide proper security for Bhutto and the other of cleaning the crime scene before evidence could be collected.
A U.N. investigation into the assassination said it could have been prevented and blamed all levels of government for failing to provide adequate security. It also accused intelligence agencies and other officials of severely hampering the investigation into those behind her murder.
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The attack on the tribal police posts before dawn Thursday took place in the town of Darra Adam Khel in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, government officials said. The town is located near Pakistan's tribal region, the main sanctuary for Taliban militants in the country.
Security forces have launched an operation to try to recover the 21 missing policemen, said the officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but suspicion will likely fall on the Pakistani Taliban.
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Leave a Comment:
There will eventually be another military coup. Zardari is just as, if not more, corrupt as his late wife who was deposed twice due to government corruption. Pakistan is another of those countries created out of european colonialism that should never have existed as a single country to begin with. Its geographic separation from Pakistan is the only reason Bangladesh was able to break away from the Pakistan created by the British and that lack of geographic separation is why Pakistan and India still actively fight over Kashmir.
Anita, dynasties is not a good thing for sure. But for what it is worth - Bhutto family is the only torchbearer of democracy in Pakistan. That is the reason Bhutto Sr was murdererd by Zia Ul Haq and that is the reason why Benazir was murdered.
India and Pakistan would be more peaceful with a democratically elected government.
I don't disagree. I just think that the military will get tired of these assassinations, corruption, terrorism etc and try to take control again. That is historically what has occurred in Pakistan and I don't believe the country is economically or socially stable enough to change that at this point. The Bhutto/Zadari families have not all been beacons of freedom and democracy either.
I think you are mistaken in believing that military in Pakistan takes over to get rid of corruption. All plum positions and contracts and real estate is occupied by military personnel. It is corruption worse than what India has. Anyway.. but good exchanging a few thoughts. Thanks.
""This is Pakistan and dynastic politics is the norm," said Rais. "Bilawal is perhaps the only card left in the chest of the Pakistan People's Party.""
Pakisan is a pure Islamic nation, which Muslims wanted and British invented.
Bhutto dynasty members belong to well known feudal landlord class and are highly corrupt. Degree has been varying with Zardari, (Mr ten percent earlier during wife's rule and now many more) beating all records established by Bhutto family.
When Pakistan had worst floods, Zardari was dancing in Britain and France in bars!
Pakistan's military top personnel owns more than 30 percent Pakistan's wealth. So much for them being less corrupt.
So much for democracy and pure Islamic nation!
PJ: Which world are you in?
When it came to India, it did not make much difference whether it was democracy or military.
The same Bhutto's grandfather had talked about 1000 years' war with India!
Jonathan - your first post is ok except the Mr 10% and all is propoganda. Yes - everybody in power is corrupt in these parts of the world. However that 10% was propoganda.
As per 1000 year war with India - that's rhetoric. I am an Indian and given how much terrorism india was subjected under Zia and after - that rhetoric seems to benign now a days.
PJ: Then you ought to know better than what you posted.
Even under Benazir, ISI was as active or worse than under Zia ul Haq.
Of course, realities on most issues depend upon understanding and preception.
Jonathan - ISI is a body in Pakistan where the president/prime ministers have some control. But not a whole lot. Upto some extent the same is true in USA about the CIA.
PJ: ISI is above Paki President/Prime Minister. I know about CIA and how it operates.
I wish him well although I can't comment on Anita's charges above (more shortly). I still have a copy of the news article from five years ago detailing his mother's assassination. Fair warning Anita: binary thinking is a particularly treacherous way to try to view politics, particularly another country's...
It sounds horribly callous to note that "Democracy can be messy," and certainly Pakistan is not one right now, but the fact that a woman had the courage to join the discussions was telling, given fundamentalists Muslims' views toward them (and note the horror of the Pakistani girl who was shot for her Internet contributions; she needs to be elevated to icon status).
Last summer I had a wonderful Pakistani in my taxi; he'd moved from here to Dallas after visiting two of the businesses he'd managed here (at what were, no doubt, lousy wages), and he said he was prospering.
"My country," he said sadly. "Is overrun with thugs."
""I want to tell you that thanks to God he has completed his studies, but now is the time of his training," his father, President Asif Ali Zardari, told the crowd of supporters"
One good thing about these top Paki rulers are that they have one leg in Pakistan and another one in Britain, US or some European nation.
Bilwal had his studies in Britain and his mother in Harvard!
Bilwal's father, Zardari has more properties in Britain and other European nations than in Pakistan.
Gen Mush, Bush, Jr's pal is in Britain and son in the US.
One good thing about Texas Paki thug is that he not planning some terrorist activity or jihad in the US!
It' like a family business. Get in,steal a Hundred Million Bucks. Then move to London.
I know we have this problem on our side of the pond when it comes to dynastic leaders (Obama, Clinton, etc.), but Pakistanis would be well of ridding themselves of this phenomenally corrupt and egregiously incompetent cancerous family. Their daddy, Mr. Ten Percent, is practically illiterate - and all are basically riding the coat-tails of the deceased Mom and grand dad.
Obama a dynastic leader?
Goodness, don't you mean his predecessor?
As for Pakistan, well, before his untimely death The Wise Ol' Cabbie once talked about a pissing contest between skunks and how it's best to avoid them, but they do occasionally accomplish some good if wiser sorts don their gas masks and wade in and make some changes...
I'm hoping that'll happen with the obstructionist Republicans in Congress before too long...
Obama? You mean Bush 41 and 43 don't you? Do you know what dynastic means?
The usual political rot where family tries to rule. In this case first was the grandfather,then the mother followed by the father and now the son.Looks like Pakistan has no other to lead the nation. Not that it is going anywhere as far as progress is concerned.
High Islamic heroin dosage is ruining Pakistan.
Forget about Pakistan and Saudi Arabia being strategic allies. Islamic madness is going to ruin these nations.
When Bhutto's son delivering his lectures, Paki Taliban killed some people.
Pakistan is heading for civil wars. It is difficult to guess which Islamic extremist group will get Paki nukes.
It is better for US, the No. 1 enemy for Paki Islamists, to nuke out Paki nukes and nuclear facilities.
Pakistan, British, and the masters (US and allies) who kept them alive.
In most of the Islamic terrorism and plots in the US, Britain, Europe and other places, Pakis have a hand.
Half of NATO forces deaths in Afghanistan are due to Pakis.
Before followers of Islamic cult set their feet on Afghan and Paki regions, these regions were quite peaceful and prosperous.
Once the cancer of Islam gradually got control of the region, those regions have become raping, stealing, looting and killing fields.
In Afghanistan, Paki proxies Taliban did not even tolerate Buddha’s statue in Bamiyan.
Many Paki areas and some Afghan areas have become breeding and exporting centers for illegal activities including drugs growing and trading and export of Islamic radicals and terrorists all over the world.
British invented Pakistan in 47 and Pakistan is supposed to be a pure Islamic nation. In Pakistan, it was massive genocides of minorities in between 48-50.
Percentages of Hindus and Sikhs were reduced from about 24 percent less than three years by rapings, stealing, lootings, terrorizing and killing on a massive scale.
Paki Islamic religious madness did not end there.
Sunni Pakis are after Ahmedias, Sufis (fake love and dance Islamic soap opera people), Shiites (20 percent), Hazaras, and Baloochs and other minority sects/tribes.
Shiites, Sufis, Ahmedias and other minority sects/tribes people are blown up while they pray in their mosques on Fridays. And even hospitals are bombed to kill those injured.
Can there be more religious extremism and its madness?
Instead of reforming with times, hope there will not be regular spins, excuses, lies and abuses!
High Islamic heroin dosage is ruining Pakistan.
Forget about Pakistan and Saudi Arabia being strategic allies. Islamic madness is going to ruin these nations.
When Bhutto's son delivering his lectures, Paki Taliban killed some people.
Pakistan is heading for civil wars. It is difficult to guess which Islamic extremist group will get Paki nukes.
It is better for US, the No. 1 enemy for Paki Islamists, to nuke out Paki nukes and nuclear facilities.
Pakistan, British, and the masters (US and allies) who kept them alive.
In most of the Islamic terrorism and plots in the US, Britain, Europe and other places, Pakis have a hand.
Half of NATO forces deaths in Afghanistan are due to Pakis.
Before followers of Islamic cult set their feet on Afghan and Paki regions, these regions were quite peaceful and prosperous.
Once the cancer of Islam gradually got control of the region, those regions have become raping, stealing, looting and killing fields.
In Afghanistan, Paki proxies Taliban did not even tolerate Buddha’s statue in Bamiyan.
Many Paki areas and some Afghan areas have become breeding and exporting centers for illegal activities including drugs growing and trading and export of Islamic radicals and terrorists all over the world.
British invented Pakistan in 47 and Pakistan is supposed to be a pure Islamic nation. In Pakistan, it was massive genocides of minorities in between 48-50.
Percentages of Hindus and Sikhs were reduced from about 24 percent less than three years by rapings, stealing, lootings, terrorizing and killing on a massive scale.
Paki Islamic religious madness did not end there.
Sunni Pakis are after Ahmedias, Sufis (fake love and dance Islamic soap opera people), Shiites (20 percent), Hazaras, and Baloochs and other minority sects/tribes.
Shiites, Sufis, Ahmedias and other minority sects/tribes people are blown up while they pray in their mosques on Fridays. And even hospitals are bombed to kill those injured.
Can there be more religious extremism and its madness?
Instead of reforming with times, hope there will not be regular spins, excuses, lies and abuses!
If this is posted twice, sorry about it.
One would expect a less biased analysis by Mazhar Abbas since he was there to witness Benazir’s rise. BB shaheed did not know Urdu when she came into politics. Bilawal on the other hand did do an excellent job since there were few grammatical errors (the typical singular-plural helping verbs and gender).
The speech was very much BB’s as opposed to the President who often by-passes mention of PPP comrades like Taseer and Bhatti while Bilawal made it clear that the PPP continues to stand with the masses.
It is amazing that nobody is addressing what he actually said and what was wrong and insulting in that statement. Six months ago Bilawal made a more hard hitting speech and demanded the judiciary to move forward in BB’s murder case. He was “noticed” by many including the SC CJ but still no progress. Yet the opponents accuse Zardari and PPP for the murder and slow pace of courts. BB was murdered and crime scene was washed promptly by high power hoses, stories were spread about banging head against sunroof etc. PPP was not in power to do all that it was Mush and his govt. Again the SC (no friend of PPP) is not taking this case just like they sat on 26 cases against Zardari and did not conclude any in two decade! The memo case, sugar, gas and oil prices, all govt appointments are more imp for the SC than murder of dozens of people.