KARACHI: Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari, daughter of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and former president Asif Ali Zardari, was engaged to the son of a US-based businessman on Friday at a small ceremony with a limited number of guests at Bilawal House where an open area was dedicated to about four-hour function, sources and PPP leaders said.
Ms Bhutto-Zardari and her fiancé Mahmood Chaudhry exchanged rings amid celebratory shouting and clapping from the guests, who included a few senior politicians, PPP leaders, business giants, real estate tycoons, prominent lawyers, some legislators and close relatives.
Through video link Bilawal joins celebrations attended by nearly 150 guests
“There were around 120 or 150 guests,” said a Pakistan Peoples Party leader wishing not to be named. “Mr Zardari also attended the ceremony with due precautions. It was overall a very simple ceremony considering the standard operation procedures related to Covid-19. The key moment of the show was exchange of rings by the couple. The people wearing mask throughout the event avoided direct or physical contact.”
The sources said that PPP Senator Sherry Rehman, former law minister and Mr Zardari’s counsel Farooq H. Naek and Omni Group chief executive Anwar Majeed were among the guests.
PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who is in self-isolation after testing positive for Covid-19, joined the celebrations through video link.
“Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, the youngest daughter of Mr Zardari, got his elder brother connected with people through video link,” said another source. “The PPP chairman thanked everyone for accepting the family’s request and following precautions at the ceremony due to the coronavirus pandemic. The guests extended him congratulations over his sister’s engagement and wished him early recovery.”
Earlier, through social media, Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari thanked people for their support and wishes on her engagement and promised PPP workers to make them part of her celebrations “in a post-Covid world.”
“Very sentimental & emotional day,” she tweeted. “So grateful for everyone’s love & prayers. Especially our PPP family whom I know are eager to participate. InshAllah this is only the beginning - will be able to celebrate in a post Covid world. Please keep SMBB and our family in your prayers.”
Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2020
