Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Bhutto's Will Names Son Successor

Bilawal will lead party but won't be PM candidate, report says

By John Johnson, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 29, 2007 6:52 PM CST

(Newser) – Benazir Bhutto instructed in her will that her son succeed her as leader of her political party, Newsweek reports. Because her son, Bilawal, is only 19, the will states that her husband, Asif Ali Zardari, act as a regent to him until he is old enough to lead by himself. Neither man, however, will replace Bhutto as the prime minister candidate for the Pakistan People's Party.

That distinction will go to a still-unnamed senior party official, says Newsweek, quoting an anonymous family friend who has seen the will. Bilawal is expected to read the will himself tomorrow at a party meeting. Given that his grandfather founded the party, Bilawal's succession is not expected to meet much resistance. Zardari, however, is not well liked because of corruption allegations and a playboy reputation.

Pakistani women light candles in front of a portrait of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto during a vigil at her Pakistan Peoples Party office Saturday Dec. 29, 2007 in Lahore, Pakistan. ... (Associated Press)

Asif Ali Zardari, left, husband of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, gestures along side their son Bilawal during Bhutto's burial at her family's mausoleum, in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, near... (Associated Press)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Bhutto's Party Nominates New Prime Minister

Ex-speaker once went to jail to avoid cutting deal with Musharraf

(NEWSER) - The party of ex-premier Benazir Bhutto named Yusuf Raza Gillani as its pick for prime minister of Pakistan today, the BBC reports. He is virtually guaranteed to be voted in Tuesday but won’t be PM for long, analysts say. The ex-speaker is expected to step down as soon as Asif Ali Zardari, Bhutto's widower, is eligible for the job. More»

Bhutto's Niece Calls Party Undemocratic

Young writer says Benazir backers 'cash in on her blood'

(NEWSER) - Some call her the real heir to slain Pakistani leader Benazir Bhutto, but Fatima Bhutto, the ex-PM's estranged niece, rejects her claim to “the family business,” the Times of London reports. In fact, the 25-year-old columnist living in Pakistan called the idea of enshrined Bhutto power “dangerous" and disputed the ascension of cousin Bilawal lead the Pakistan People's Party. More»

Facebook Hoaxer Part of Plot to Smear Bilawal: Dad

Heir loves vampire slayer Buffy on fake site

(NEWSER) - Several news editors and internet surfers fell hook, line and sinker for a Facebook hoaxer pretending to be Benazir Bhutto's son and political heir—and an aide for his dad charged that it was part of a smear campaign by the Pakistani government. The fake Facebook site has 19-year-old Bilawal confessing he is "not a born leader" and is a big fan of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." More»

Bhutto's Son Quietly Political at Oxford

'Well-liked' student backed mother on his Facebook page

(NEWSER) - Bilawal Bhutto Zardari may be Benazir Bhutto's son, picked today to lead the Pakistan People's Party, but the 19-year-old is also still in school. Bilawal has been studying at Christ Church, Oxford, without security, often hiding his political identity but supporting his mother on his Facebook profile, Time reports. "He is a very sociable student and very well liked," said one of his classmates. More»

Bhutto Husband & Son Picked to Head Party

Election likely to be delayed up to 8 weeks

(NEWSER) - As violence continued to flare in Pakistan following the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, officials indicated that Jan. 8 elections will likely be postponed six to eight weeks, Reuters reports. Officials from Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party, meanwhile, picked her husband, Asif Ali Zardari, and 19-year-old son, Bilawal, to take over party leadership. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Bhutto's Will Names Son Successor

Bilawal will lead party but won't be PM candidate, report says

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Pakistan • Benazir Bhutto • Pakistan People's Party • Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Bhutto's Party Nominates New Prime Minister

Ex-speaker once went to jail to avoid cutting deal with Musharraf

Bhutto's Niece Calls Party Undemocratic

Young writer says Benazir backers 'cash in on her blood'

Facebook Hoaxer Part of Plot to Smear Bilawal: Dad

Heir loves vampire slayer Buffy on fake site

Bhutto's Son Quietly Political at Oxford

'Well-liked' student backed mother on his Facebook page

Bhutto Husband & Son Picked to Head Party

Election likely to be delayed up to 8 weeks

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Bhutto's Will Names Son Successor

Bilawal will lead party but won't be PM candidate, report says

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Pakistan • Benazir Bhutto • Pakistan People's Party • Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Bhutto's Party Nominates New Prime Minister

Ex-speaker once went to jail to avoid cutting deal with Musharraf

Bhutto's Niece Calls Party Undemocratic

Young writer says Benazir backers 'cash in on her blood'

Facebook Hoaxer Part of Plot to Smear Bilawal: Dad

Heir loves vampire slayer Buffy on fake site

Bhutto's Son Quietly Political at Oxford

'Well-liked' student backed mother on his Facebook page

Bhutto Husband & Son Picked to Head Party

Election likely to be delayed up to 8 weeks

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?