IT is good to know that at least someone from the Bhutto Zardari household wants to and is allowed to pursue business and agriculture rather than politics as a career. But even as we learn, on the authority of a person no less than her father, that young Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari has chosen to stay away from politics, the focus remains on the future plans of her brother Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Former president Asif Zardari says his son will be gradually eased into a political career. From a few reports of the news conference given by the ex-president it appears as if an acknowledgement has been made that the young scion, already the saviour to look forward to for his party, is not mature enough for the mantle of leadership. Alternately, it has been reported that security concerns kept him away from Pakistan and its politics. Whatever the case, a ‘gradual’ induction could prove a little too late for the PPP, if projections about the party’s falling popularity are true. There will be grumblings and calls for measures focused on the PPP’s classical appeal and its current profile.

There remains the pending case where Pakistanis must debate the demerits of politics by inheritance. Also, there is the issue of a section of Pakistanis wanting to revive the old PPP, something many of them believe can only happen with a reversal of roles currently played by Asif Zardari, who is in control, and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who stands at a distance and is sidelined. The young heir was showing sure signs of rebelling against the situation when he was packed off to London last year. It is not improbable for some in PPP circles to be found urging him to skip the ‘training’ and take up the reins. Whether or not he does so is his choice — so long as it is his choice. Whatever decision he makes, given his earlier posture of siding with the people, the latter would like to hear it from Bilawal Bhutto Zardari himself.

Published in Dawn, April 12th, 2015

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