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LAHORE: PPP Co-Chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari is in London to ‘persuade’ son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to return to Pakistan to attend the death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto on Dec 27.
A source close to Mr Zardari confirmed on Monday that he had gone to London to “bring his son back home”.
“It will be an extreme embarrassment for the party if Bilawal Bhutto, the PPP chairman, prefers to stay in London even on Dec 27,” he told Dawn, adding this was reason that Mr Zardari decided to see his son and resolve differences.
Also read: PPP rift: Pushed in, left out
Earlier, the young leader’s absence from the PPP’s foundation day function at the Bilawal House in Lahore on Nov 30 had led to widespread speculation about his differences with his father.
Mr Zardari had told a group of PPP leaders during his stay in Lahore that the party’s relations with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement soured because of Bilawal’s “indiscreet statements” and that he had advised his son to temporarily keep himself away from politics.
A senior PPP leader told Dawn that differences between the father and the son had cropped up over the party affairs. “Mr Bilawal appointed Jehangir Badr and Bashir Riaz his political adviser and press secretary, respectively, without consulting Mr Zardari,” he said, adding that although Mr Zardari did not mind the choice, he told Mr Bilawal that he would be given a freehand to run the party affairs once he was fully groomed.
The father ‘persuading’ the son to return and attend Benazir’s death anniversary
“Mr Zardari wants his 26-year-old son to be groomed under his leadership, but Bilawal wants complete independence over the party affairs,” he said.
When contacted, Mr Zardari’s spokesman Senator Farhatullah Babar only said he would come to know about Mr Bilawal’s return on Tuesday. But he said Mr Zardari was coming back to attend the main event to be held in Garhi Khuda Bhaksh.
In reply to a question about Mr Zardari’s effort to reconcile with his son, Mr Babar said: “Any report about reconciliation that presupposes differences between the father and the son is itself misplaced.”
Published in Dawn December 23th , 2014
Zulqernain Tahir is a reporter for Dawn with over 20 years of experience, currently covering political and governance issues with a focus on uncovering financial scams. He can be found on X at @zulqerr.
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Dec 23, 2014 06:26am
Bilawal is a true leader....
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Dec 23, 2014 06:29am
Why mr. Bill is angry? And why father is requesting a son? For any noble cause you have to order your children...
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Dec 23, 2014 06:52am
He can never persuade his son to follow his way of life, if he ever did then his eduaction would be compromised.
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Dec 23, 2014 07:15am
All parties should put away differences not just with each other but within their respective parties - the nation should stand as one for the sake of Pakistan and not show weakness to the Taliban
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Dec 23, 2014 07:18am
Bilwals best political move thus far was to leave PK.
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Dec 23, 2014 07:19am
this is the same guy who retorted "lawanga lawanga kashmir lawanga, Pakistan da kashmir". And he himself cant stay in Pakistan.....not even on his mom's death anniversary....true patriot......
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Dec 23, 2014 07:21am
Who cares
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Dec 23, 2014 07:40am
He is a bright child let him study further!
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Dec 23, 2014 07:46am
He can never have his son follow his life ethics , if he does then his education would be compromised and wasted.
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Dec 23, 2014 07:47am
What is greedy father, putting his son's life at risks and knows that he and his son have thousands enemies within and outside his circle. Baisharam (shameless personalities).
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Dec 23, 2014 07:52am
Zardari should realize that Bilawal will get credibility if he is not groomed by him.
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Dec 23, 2014 08:12am
PPP is not relevant anymore. What could be more embarrassing than this?
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Dec 23, 2014 08:17am
Let him grow and do mistake, by doing this he will learn, because he is not going to earn bread and butter for his family, he will work for the people of Pakistan.
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Dec 23, 2014 08:25am
It would have been funny had it not been this sad. The party of ZAB is no more!
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Dec 23, 2014 08:38am
Abetter solution is for Zardari to stay away with his son where he is.
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Dec 23, 2014 08:43am
We don't need this pseudo privileged leader - please stop the non-sense
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Dec 23, 2014 09:03am
PPP is over. As long as the "Bhuttos" Zardaris are ruling it, there is no hope. All members like Shireen Rehman and Qamar Zaman Kaira should join Mohammed Jibran Nasir.
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Dec 23, 2014 09:04am
I smell nura kushty between son and father ---
Zardari knows his popularity graph ---so Bilawal acting like he has differences with Zardari in the hope that people may accept him.
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Dec 23, 2014 09:06am
Bilawal if you are to follow your father's foot steps, then you better stay in London...we don't want you here...
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Dec 23, 2014 09:07am
Zardari told his son Bilawal, that he would be allowed to run the party affairs when he is fully "Groomed". Shouldn't Biwal had become chairman of the party after he was groomed and experienced to begin with? These guys are ridiculous.
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Dec 23, 2014 09:17am
We are followers of Bhutto.... Bilawal, Fatima, Bhutto Jr. can bring life to the party...
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Dec 23, 2014 09:17am
Nothing more than just a publicity stunt to make Bilawal acceptable in the eyes of the general public or to portray that son is different than his father. In reality there are no differences. Pakistanis cannot be fooled with such gimmicks any more.
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Dec 23, 2014 09:20am
Be ready for a new circus.
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Dec 23, 2014 09:20am
Best lesson of politics is being honest with your self and with people.and that is the main fault with Zardari.In his mind he is a saint and that explains all this.
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Dec 23, 2014 09:27am
A political party is not a personal inheritance or transferable fortune. The people of Pakistan, whom the so called peoples party claims to represent, must observe this state of affairs and make an informed choice when the time of elections comes their way.
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Dec 23, 2014 09:30am
Can anyone file a missing person complaint for these two people (Bilawal and Asif Zardari). They have been missing from the political scene for more than 90 days. If anyone finds them, please report to the nearest Pakistan Consulate or Embassy. Thanks.
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Dec 23, 2014 09:33am
please dont.
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Dec 23, 2014 09:35am
"Earlier, the young leader’s absence from...." . He is young alright but what makes him a 'leader'? I really can't think of any rational reason.
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Dec 23, 2014 09:37am
Power politics!
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Dec 23, 2014 09:42am
we know,sooner or later he will come back.
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Dec 23, 2014 09:44am
Wah wah, he prefers to live in London but he is the 'leader' of a Pakistani political 'party'. I am sure Bilawal's life is a complex one. He can't call himself with his real surname (has to borrow Bhutto name), lives in UK, has to do politics in Pakistan, has to deal with bank accounts in Switzerland, and maintain a palace in Dubai. poor guy!!!
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Dec 23, 2014 09:47am
Bilawal please keep enjoying in England. You are doing a good job to Pakistani People by not participating in Politics. Thanks.
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Dec 23, 2014 09:55am
If all our So Called leaders Sons and Daughters decide to stay away from Pakistan, it would be really a great news for the country.
Plus imagine how much tax payers hard earned money would be saved.
Please sirs stay their we will mange this country without you.
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Dec 23, 2014 09:58am
Let us all accept the fact that Bilawal is just not cut out to be a politician, no matter how much his dad tries , the poor kid has put his foot in his mouth every time he opened it.Let him be in peace in London and spare us the awam of having to see him act like a pseudo leader who is totally clueless .
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Dec 23, 2014 10:08am
this can be a news in Pakistan only... I have never seen any episode of 'saas bhi kabhi bahu thi' but it sounds like a situation in that type of serials. :)
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Dec 23, 2014 10:31am
@Waar...hehe...you must be kidding..don't you??
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Dec 23, 2014 10:34am
Bilawal next Pak PM? Oh lord have mercy on our poor souls.
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Dec 23, 2014 10:39am
I would reiterate the request of Governor Punjab that for God sake keep away the family politics.
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Dec 23, 2014 10:43am
Can anyone have a true party election? Then we can see if Bilawal or Zardari gets elected as party chief.
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Dec 23, 2014 10:44am
A good catch for Bollywood.
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Dec 23, 2014 10:47am
Mission impossible..,
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Dec 23, 2014 10:48am
@ Jalaluddin. How do you know he is bright. Were his grades at Oxford ever released.?
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Dec 23, 2014 11:35am
bilawal need little grooming but he was good on MQM issue, i totally support him.
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Dec 23, 2014 11:45am
Please let him stay in UK, its Christmas/New Year time and the kid would prefer to enjoy these holidays and celebrate.
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Dec 23, 2014 12:00pm
Neither of them came back to express solidarity with the victims of Peshawar tragedy. Celebrating death anniversary of a Bhutto is more important I guess.
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Dec 23, 2014 12:09pm
The PPP is a family limited entity since inception. This operational character should be discontinued if it wants to remain as a recognizable political force. True democratic elections must be held giving the party a public visage and ownership. Salams
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Dec 23, 2014 12:19pm
feudal is grooming his heir.... And I see some people here even OK to accept this family business. I guess the country is moving along on the expectation of ppl... Why cry then? Be happy your next master is getting groomed.
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Dec 23, 2014 12:21pm
Bilawal is going under a rehabilitation process in UK. I hope he comes back as a transformed and more respectable boy.
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Dec 23, 2014 12:21pm
@waar
Where did you get that from? I have been searching and checking google bur to no avail !
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Dec 23, 2014 12:30pm
Country is burning due to terrorism....Thur is in between life n death while this lotera party n his so called leaders are preparing for their own bussineses n interests n have no concern to the above issues.
And finally its awfull that some misguided peaple still consider them their leaders. Where are we going to????
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Dec 23, 2014 12:33pm
Nation needs to know difference between a kingdom and a democratic country.
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Dec 23, 2014 12:42pm
My advise to Bilawal, Pakistan has changed a lot, and it is not the Pakistan of 1960's & 80's.
Best thing for him is to settle overseas, start a good business, and enjoy life.
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Dec 23, 2014 12:51pm
Look at these two guys--both totally undeserving, but running the PPP like a family business. It is like a father-son fight over son's wanting to drive the family car! When will this nonsense of Gharaneshahi end for Pak and India?
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Dec 23, 2014 12:57pm
Leave him in London, as he has nothing to offer. Just because he is a scion of a corrupt family does not mean he needs to be corrupted even more by elevating his political stakes in Pakistan.
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Dec 23, 2014 12:57pm
PPP is run by Zardari/Butto family and PMLN is run by Sharif brothers. Can anyone from outside the immediate family run either of these parties? No. Then how can they bring true democracy to Pakistan? Think about it.
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Dec 23, 2014 01:02pm
it's all politics...they want to make fun of Pakistani Awam....we all know they just making the drama, so to show Pakistan, that Bilawal is a better guy, while his father is the bad person....everyone know PPP is gone, people are slowly waking up.
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Dec 23, 2014 01:22pm
Gone are the days, when the people of Sindh, were cheated repeatedly by PPP in the name of Bhutto, now PPP is a Zardari party and addition of Bhutto with Zardaris cannot win the minds and hearts of Sindhis. PPP of Zardi will not find smooth sailing in any coming election, the ground is ripe for PTI, which is an alternative choice for Sindhis after the takeover of Bhuttos party by Zardaris.
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Dec 23, 2014 01:23pm
He has no chance given his parents performance and his fathers background.
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Dec 23, 2014 01:26pm
Did anybody see any statement from this couple (father and son) on Peshawar incident...I missed to see any...!!!
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Dec 23, 2014 01:43pm
Dad has gone to London to bring back his little boy home!. What a joke. Bilawal needs to find a job outside politics to learn what most Pakistani young men do. The problem is what are his skills?. What has he qualified as which will make him good at any job?. Politics is certainly not a job and being at the top requires maturity, conviction and empathy with the majority of the people of Pakistan. He has never lived in Pakistan and can not be expected do any of that.
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Dec 23, 2014 01:44pm
No more dynastic rule. It has harmed Pakistan too much.
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Dec 23, 2014 01:54pm
@Mohammed Abbasi : you must be day dreaming.
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Dec 23, 2014 01:59pm
PPP needs a toy that could be presented to the nation to play the game of " hide and seek " .
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Dec 23, 2014 02:02pm
There should be no role for political dynasties. Bilawal and Rahul Gandhi make for a nice comparison. Rahul Gandhi will look like a statesman before the joke that is Bilawal.
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Dec 23, 2014 02:11pm
Let Bilawal stay away from politics; he cannot speak lies; he is straight, these will be not be accepted by the present leadership of PPP. Simple as that.
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Dec 23, 2014 02:13pm
@karachiwala education is compromised? what a joke!
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Dec 23, 2014 02:14pm
@Ali he will work for people of Pakistan? really? which planet are you from Mr Ali
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Dec 23, 2014 02:17pm
Remove the word "Bhutto" from his forced name and you will find that neither Bilawal nor PPP are a party of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.
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Dec 23, 2014 02:36pm
He has no future as a strong political leader. His position was one he was born into - and he doesn't have the same hard life experiences like his mother. And no charisma at all. Really the death of PPP will be because this guy is so awkward and boring.
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Dec 23, 2014 03:25pm
Indians took more than a decade to realise, Rahul Gandhi is incompetent and throw Congress away. Hope, Pakistanis can learn from neighbour's mistakes.
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Dec 23, 2014 03:38pm
Bilawal B. Zardari - Ever thought of quitting politics ? With all the financial resources at your disposal, settle down in London , get married , enjoy life. PPP is politically dead, no need to whip a dead horse.
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Dec 23, 2014 04:20pm
@Chaudhry Yes, I remember he said, "Lawanga, Lawanga..." . All can claim to be politician. But not everyone have leadership qualities.
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Dec 23, 2014 04:42pm
Challenges of dynastic politics. Two kings cannot rule. If Bilawal is leading PPP then AZ has to go and vice versa.
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Dec 23, 2014 04:50pm
Mr. Bilawal is immature and got great set back from London Kashmir rally.
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Dec 23, 2014 05:24pm
Aa jao munnay, waapis as jao :-)
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Dec 23, 2014 06:17pm
@Khalid Yeah we have another one in India. At 43 probably no one will ever employ him. He is good for nothing. Thats why here we have his mother ( there you have a father) who wants to make him the PM of India. sad isnt it. Our nations deserve better than that.
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Dec 23, 2014 06:44pm
Just a drama, I will truly believe Bilawal is different if he articulates the following points:
1.) Publicly states that the current leadership of the PPP is corrupt and incompetent
2.) All Corruption done between 2008 and 2013 must be accounted for and prosecuted to the full extent of the law
3.) Intra-party elections will be held within the PPP
When these things are done this will demonstrate that he is a leader. This is 2014, the urban and rural middle class has no love for dynastic politicians anymore
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Dec 23, 2014 06:52pm
It is too early to jump to conclusions but it definitely looks the way as suspected by the press in Pakistan.If Bilawal Zardari is sincere to the true principles of the PPP under his grand father Mr.Z.A.Bhutto then must not compromise with his father and stick to his guns and run the party accordingly.He must get rid of the old aged senile members from the partyand also those shoe lickers whom have hijacked the party for quite some time.He must do this otherwise there was no other way to save Sindh which has never been nearer extinction as before.We must all unite to put our own house in order and make the base strong before we move on to a national level
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Dec 23, 2014 07:05pm
@waar --Bilawal is not only a true leader, he is also a role model. Pakistan is indeed very fortunate to have leader like Zardaris.
Zardaris khapay!
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Dec 23, 2014 07:29pm
Could some one tell me if PPP is a Private Political Party where leadership goes by lineage?
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Dec 23, 2014 07:44pm
Bilawal B. Zardari - Exploitation of Bhutto's name will take you only so far. You are a Zardari, true Bhuttos have been pushed aside. Stand up on your own two feet , endeavour to earn the respect of the people.
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Dec 23, 2014 07:44pm
Mr. Zardari has tried various marketing strategies to launch his son; but the problem is that when the integrity questionable? Who will buy
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Dec 23, 2014 07:52pm
This news was expected that Zardari will try to pacify his son and it was quite obvious that Bilawal developed differences with his father the way he wanted to run the party since the day he was given the blessings from his father.Zardari must have felt threatened by his subsequent statements including those against Altaf Hussain.No one will doubt that there have been some differences in the party membership about running the party which was bound to surface up if the leadership as close as the father and the son has soured to that extent that Zardari had to come to London to meet his son in trying to ask him to return to Pakistan for an important anniversary of his mother.It will be in the benefit of Bilawal and his supporters in the party to put his foot down and take on the party according to the principles laid down by his grand father late Z .A.Bhutto and seriously work hard for Sindh and its problems which should be the top priority for him and his team
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Dec 23, 2014 08:28pm
@Abbas Ali these people have so much wealth, they do not need to start a business. Their only business is to govern the country, and take as much as one can from the coffers of the state, and from anywhere else.
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Dec 23, 2014 08:41pm
If PPP has to survive, Zardari and his lieutenants should be kept away so a new and young generation team come forward that Bilawal can lead and keep the party afloat. Bilateral will make a mistake if he accedes to his father's request.
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Dec 23, 2014 09:02pm
@waar --says: Bilawal is a true leader....
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Dec 23, 2014 09:24pm
@ Peshawari Pakhtun @Waar: "Bilawal is a true leader....." I say: Not only a true leader, Bilawal is a role model.
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Dec 23, 2014 09:28pm
@Ebrahim only accountability of ppp can save ppp ..
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Dec 23, 2014 09:35pm
Where to put the cart if horse runs away.
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Dec 23, 2014 09:56pm
Bilawal please come back, Pakistan needs you!
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Dec 23, 2014 10:52pm
Mission will be accomplished.
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Dec 23, 2014 11:35pm
Let him stay away, he is no politician. You will not be able to install this kid on two hundred million Pakistanis.
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Dec 24, 2014 12:08am
If Hollywood was ever to make a movie about Zardari or Bilawal, it will become a big hit! These two jokers make me laugh - the only tragedy is - their stupidity is costing us and is stopping us from moving forward. How I wish they all disappear and leave Pakistan. They have robbed our country enough, that they can survive and live comfortably for centuries. They should NOT NEED any more money from the poor!
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Dec 24, 2014 02:41am
An Exclusive story of dawn, today many media org has fallow this and discussed up on the issue. so another side problem of father and son it is state that bilawal want to controlled to party freely and zardari shab is making bearer in bilawal's mission. when faryal talpur will avoid from existence then all problem will be solve regarding ppp. in today's period ppp has need of young and energetic leader. because workers are confuse from Qaim ali shah or xyz oldies. so Zardari shab should give free hand to bilawal has he can lead worker and party restore it's previous popularity
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Dec 24, 2014 04:41am
Whether Zardari or Bilawal ,does not make any difference to people of Pakistan and Sind.Both have cadets and feudal mentality ,Bilawal shall exactly do the same service as his father had done .corruption and loot.
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Dec 24, 2014 04:43am
@Janu 100% German wrote: "Bilawal please come back, Pakistan needs you!" Yes, dear Bilawal; waste no more time. Come back to Pakistan and save this country from falling apart like your father did during his presidency. You are this nation's last hope.
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Dec 24, 2014 05:13am
@Ramesh Nakhwa Dear Ramesh, I agree with you entirely. Our nations should stand together and not let this "family business" continue. Enough is enough.
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Dec 24, 2014 08:37am
Zardari wants continuation of wadera ism and corruption through Bilawal Zardari.
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Dec 24, 2014 11:40am
Sir,
People like Zardari must never be in politics and should never have become president in the first place.
Bilawal should stay away from Zardari and his opportunistic politics!!!
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Dec 24, 2014 12:26pm
@waar
For comments like these I wish there should be a 'Dislike' or 'Non Recommended' option.
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Dec 24, 2014 02:34pm
He must have thought that Kashmir is in Europe.
Din't he cried saying he will take back Kashmir from India?
Poor fellow, was dreaming of Kashmir however could not get some place in his own country.
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Dec 24, 2014 05:41pm
Bilawal, Why don't you knock the doors of Bollywood??
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Dec 24, 2014 11:37pm
There are enough incompetent people in Pakistan in positions of power they don't deserve, why do we need these two as well?
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Dec 25, 2014 01:41am
Hope people will learn from last fifty years of mistake and get rid of family politicians!!
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Dec 25, 2014 01:49am
People says that Asif Zardari is the most corrupt leader in the history of Pakistan but they cannot prove it. But Zardari is also the luckiest person of this world, forst beniffited by marriage and then by death of his wife. The hand written will by Benazir was never produced nor ever verified. One of his comarde and die hard fan is Qaim Ali Shah the CM of Sind whose finances needs immediate auditing. But he has been p[romised and provided clean bill of health by the PM Nawaz Shareef who is simply returning a favor.
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Dec 25, 2014 10:44am
@Khalid . True but you can say that for almost all the political leadership ruining the country. What a confused situation.
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Dec 25, 2014 10:55am
@Canada you are right. you can only survive PK politics if you support terrorists, otherwise you need to leave the country. Thanks
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Dec 25, 2014 12:04pm
Bilawal is intelligent, hope he does not fall prey to his father
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