Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari has made a historic decision to officially acknowledge his 31-year-old daughter, Aseefa Bhutto, as the First Lady of the country, as per a recent media report.
Typically, the title of First Lady is bestowed upon the wife of the country's President. However, Zardari found himself widowed following the tragic assassination of his wife and former Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, in 2007. Despite his subsequent presidency from 2008 to 2013, Zardari remained unmarried, leaving the position of First Lady vacant during his tenure.
Zardari, aged 68, was recently inaugurated as the 14th President of Pakistan. Notably, during his swearing-in ceremony at the President's House in Islamabad, he was accompanied by his youngest daughter, Aseefa.
Sources have indicated that President Zardari has chosen to formally designate Aseefa Bhutto as the first lady of Pakistan. This decision gained prominence when Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, the eldest daughter, referenced Aseefa in a post on X, noting her presence by her father's side and alluding to her role as the First Lady of Pakistan.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), led by the Bhutto family, also appeared to hint at Zardari's decision regarding the First Lady position. They posed the question of who would hold the prestigious title following President Zardari's oath-taking ceremony, highlighting Aseefa's significant role.
This landmark decision to elevate Aseefa to the esteemed position of First Lady signifies a momentous milestone in the nation's political landscape, according to reports. Once officially declared, Aseefa will be accorded the protocol and privileges befitting the First Lady.
During Zardari's initial term, Aseefa was merely a teenager. However, she has since emerged as a prominent figure within the PPP, actively participating in electoral campaigns and leading rallies to garner support for her brother, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
Aseefa's entry into the political arena was marked by her debut at a PPP rally in Multan on November 30, 2020.
While the tradition of appointing daughters, sisters, or nieces to the role of First Lady is not uncommon in other countries, Zardari's decision holds particular significance within the context of Pakistani politics, marking a departure from conventional norms and paving the way for a new chapter in the nation's governance.
