Bakhtawar Bhutto to Enter Politics

Looks like Bilawal will have a sibling companion in the political world – according to sources from Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), President Asif Ali Zardari has decided to introduce his second eldest child, Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari into politics “based on strong recommendations from PPP members.” His 18 year old daughter will reportedly enter politics after completing her studies at Edinburgh in Scotland, noted news sources.

The announcement took place during a meeting with the PPP’s Central Executive Committee on Monday, where members were discussing the expansion and reshuffling of the federal cabinet, among other issues. A participant in the session quoted Zardari as saying that Bakhtawar and Bilawal’s “active participation in politics will be the continuation of the valiant struggle that their mother and grandfather had waged.” Dawn cited sources who also noted that Zardari, during the meeting, “pointed out to the participants that Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari was also taking keen interest in politics, on which participants of the meeting backed the President’s idea.” According to the Nation, Bakhtawar was present at the meeting, “as a special invitee.”

Yet another example of what many have called blatant dynastic politics. What was interesting, though, was this line from Dawn: “Sources from PPP say that the decision is aimed at presenting Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari as a successor to former premier Benazir Bhutto and to compete with Fatima Bhutto in the national political sphere.” In a recent interview with Guernica Magazine, Fatima Bhutto, the daughter of the late Murtaza Bhutto (brother to Benazir), indicated that she has no intention of joining politics, asserting, “I really won’t. There are so many reasons not to enter politics that I can think of.”

When the interviewer pressed her on the topic, asking, “When I read, watch, or hear you say in interviews that you don’t believe in dynastic politics, I always think, ‘Maybe that, paradoxically, is exactly who Pakistan needs,’” she responded,

We’re already hearing from dynastic quarters in Pakistan: Yes, yes, I know it’s a dynasty. But actually, I’ve got great experience from my parents or… Yes, yes, I know dynasty is bad, but my uncle takes me along to all of his meetings and therefore I get to… Whatever. I think there are many other ways to push for change or be political, and I think that at the moment doing what I do, writing and speaking, I’m unfettered, I’m not obliged to anyone or anything, and I’m free to speak my mind. That’s not the case when you’re in politics.

My sentiments exactly. It’s disturbing to me that an 18 year old and a 20 year old have already been pinned to run one of the country’s largest political parties. If the political torch of “democratic” parties are ultimately passed down by blood, can we really call that a democracy? Read More Bakhtawar Bhutto to Enter Politics