In Pakistan, the custom of the country’s first lady i.e. the first lady is going to change.
In a historic decision, President Asif Zardari has decided to formally give the status of First Lady of the country to his 31-year-old daughter Asifa Bhutto.
The status of First Lady usually goes to the President’s wife, but in 2007, his wife and former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto was assassinated.
Zardari did not remarry after Bhutto’s death and when he became President for the first time, the post of First Lady of the country was vacant even during his first term (2008 to 2013).
Asif Ali Zardari became the 14th President
On Sunday, 68-year-old Zardari was sworn in as the country’s 14th President. Zardari was accompanied by his youngest daughter Asifa during the swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Islamabad.
According to the report of ARY News, sources claimed that President Zardari has decided to give the status of First Lady of Pakistan to Asifa Bhutto.
Zardari’s eldest daughter Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari tagged Asifa in a post on social media platform ‘X’ on Sunday.
The tweet read: “From supporting President Asif Zardari in all his court hearings to fighting for his release from jail – now standing with him as the First Lady of Pakistan.” Bakhtawar wrote Asifa’s name at the end of this post. The Bhutto family-led Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) also seems to be confirming Zardari’s decision.
Who is Asifa Bhutto?
ARY News quoted sources as saying that this historic step of appointing Asifa to the prestigious post of First Lady is an important chapter in the political history of the country.
After the official announcement, Asifa will be given ‘protocol’ and privileges befitting a First Lady.
Asifa was actively involved in the PPP’s campaign for the February 8 elections and had also held several public meetings in support of her brother Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
Bilawal Bhutto was his party’s candidate for the post of Prime Minister in the election.
Entered politics in 2020
Asifa started her political journey by attending a PPP rally in Multan on November 30, 2020.
Like Pakistan, there are many examples in foreign countries too when Presidents, if they do not have a wife, have given the status of First Lady to their daughters, sisters and even nieces.