Pakistan’s Senate elected Asif Ali Zardari as the 14th president on Saturday, marking his second return to the ceremonial office. Zardari, the widower of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and father of former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, was president from 2008 to 2013.
Given his affiliation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), Zardari’s 411 national and provincial MPs’ votes were expected. His opponent, Imran Khan’s party-backed Mehmood Khan Achakzai, received 181 votes.
Zardari’s collaboration with the Sharifs, another powerful political dynasty, helped him win the ceremonial president of Pakistan. Shehbaz Sharif welcomed Zardari, hoping he would properly discharge his constitutional duties and strengthen the federation.
Zardari’s win in the February legislative election shows his lasting influence in Pakistani politics despite terrorist attacks, a mobile phone shutdown, and Imran Khan’s party’s vote-rigging charges. After being deposed in 2022 and facing legal problems, Imran Khan has criticized the electoral process.
After 11 years in prison, Zardari became president in his first term. He has denied all charges. Despite these legal concerns, his cool attitude to complex political matters has kept him in politics in Pakistan.
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