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Bilawal vows to follow democratic path for revenge

January 2 - 8, 2008
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Benazir Bhutto's 19-year-old son Bilawal has been catapulted into the maelstrom of Pakistani politics, appointed leader of her party just three days after the assassination that plunged the country into chaos.

It is arguably the most perilous job in Pakistani politics. Bilawal's grandfather died at the gallows, his mother following last week's bomb and bullet attack. But his leadership will be initially symbolic because the party will be stewarded by his father, Asif Zardari, until his studies at the UK's Oxford University are over.

"When I am at university my father will take care of the party," said Bilawal at his maiden press conference at the family estate in Naudero.

"The party's long struggle for democracy will continue with renewed vigour," he said. "My mother always said democracy is the best revenge."

It was a remarkable day for Bilawal, described by relatives as a polite, somewhat bookish young man who just one week ago was a university student on Christmas break at the family home in Dubai.

Now, barely coming to terms with the assassination of his mother, he has become the titular head of Pakistan's greatest political dynasty as the country staggers towards turbulent elections.

Also the PPP said it would contest the January 8 elections, despite widespread violence that has rocked the country leading to more than 40 deaths, mostly in Bhutto's home province of Sindh.

The other opposition leader, Nawaz Sharif, said he would also contest the poll. Bhutto supporters vowed to throw themselves back into electioneering. "If the government tries to quash us, Pakistan will be finished. You can write this with my blood," said one.

With his political inexperience, shy demeanour and Armani glasses, Bilawal was not the obvious candidate to lead his mother's party. During the press conference Zardari deflected reporters' questions away from his son, pleading that he was at a "tender age".

His son's name would be changed, he said, from Bilawal Zardari to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari - a key piece of branding in Pakistan's tribal-feudal political system.

"We will avenge the murder of Bhutto through the democratic process after winning the elections," he said.

"God willing, when it is the People's Party's reign, when the People's Party government is formed, then we would have taken revenge for Bibi's blood and that blood would not have gone to waste."







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