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
Bhutto's Will Names Son Successor
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. Pakistan says it does not need foreign assistance to investigate Benazir Bhutto's assassination, despite...   (Associated Press)

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. (More Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stories.)

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