NAWABSHAH: Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, the youngest daughter of President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, embarks upon her career of parliamentary politics as Pakistan Peoples Party formally nominates her as the party’s candidate for NA-207 (Nawabshah-I), the seat vacated by her father after he was elected president of the country.

Mr Zardari’s sister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, who arrived at Zardari House in a motorcade of party workers and supporters on Saturday along with Aseefa, announced before party office-bearers and workers that Aseefa was the party’s candidate for NA-207 in by-election scheduled to be held on April 21.

She said that Aseefa was a reflection of her mother Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto as her presence made every worker and supporter feel that “Shaheed Bibi” was still among them.

She said that the people of Shaheed Benazirabad had given victory to PPP’s candidates for past two decades and expressed hope that Aseefa would win the by-election unopposed.

Aseefa also urged the party workers and supporters to help her win the seat with heavy mandate like they did for her father in Feb 8 general elections.

Meanwhile, advocate Hussain Bux Zardari and in-charge of Zardari House, Aijaz Halepoto, obtained nomination forms for Ms Bhutto-Zardari from the office of returning officer for NA-207, Ali Sher Jamali. The last date for filing the papers is March 18.

Aseefa holds a bachelors degree in politics and sociology and a masters in global health and development. She initially served as goodwill ambassador for polio eradication in 2012 which made her face familiar among masses.

She played a pivotal role in politics in recently held general elections when she ran an aggressive election campaign for her brother PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and other party candidates in Sanghar, Shaheed Benazirabad and Naushahro Feroze districts.

The party sources said that Aseefa would stay in Nawabshah for a few days more to meet the party workers and notables and also submit her nomination form.

Published in Dawn, March 17th, 2024