Benazir Bhutto's 19 year old son Bilawal has become the new leader of the Pakistan People's Party alongside his father Asif.
Bilawal is a student at Oxford University, just like his mother, Benazir, was. She was also elected president of the Oxford Union. He plans to return to England to complete his studies leaving his father in charge of the PPP.
Bilawal, who speaks perfect English with a British accent, today said: "My mother always said: democracy is the best revenge."
His father Asif also today asked the British to help investigate Benazir's death. Britain is the Mother Country of Pakistan, creating the country when it partitioned India in 1947 and forming two new states - a new India and Pakistan.
The pro-democracy Pakistan People's Party was founded in London by Benazir Bhutto.
Bhutto's son is heir to party: 'My mother always said: democracy is the best revenge'
30th December 2007
Daily Mail
Pakistan's most famous political dynasty continues as the teenage son of Benazir Bhutto takes control of her party following her assassination at the hands of a suicide bomber.
Oxford law student, Bilawal Bhutto, was appointed after reading his mother's political will at a special meeting of the party.
The 19-year-old will share control with his father Asif Ali Zardari, who will effectively lead the party for two years while Mr Bhutto completes his studies in England.
Bilawal Bhutto was named as the new chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party. His father will act as co-chairman while he finishes university
Mr Zardari, known as Mr 10 per cent, will be co-chairman of the PPP until Mr Bhutto takes full control.
In an emotional speech, the young leader, who has no experience in politics, told the meeting of the PPP he would continue the party's "long and historic struggle for democracy".
Speaking in English, he said: "My mother always said: democracy is the best revenge."
Benazir Bhutto's husband and son will take control of her party. Asif Ali Zardari (left) will effectively run it while Bilawal finishes his studies at Oxford University
Mr Zardari stopped his son from commenting further and said: "He may be our chairman, he is my son but he is of a tender age."
The announcement came as the ruling party said the country's elections, due on January 8, were likely to be delayed by up to four months amid ongoing violence.
An official announcement is expected tomorrow but another opposition leader Nawaz Sharif said he would reverse a decision to boycott an early poll if the PPP decided it would contest them.
The meeting of the PPP is expected to decide on that matter today.
Benazir Bhutto's supporters hold a vigil following her assassination
A senator from Bhutto's party said it was demanding that the elections take place on time.
"We want elections on January 8 and we will not let the government run away from the elections," said Senantor Safdar Abbasi.
"Any attempt to postpone the elections will not be accepted."
The meeting of the PPP took place amid mounting tension over conflicting claims about who was behind the assassination and how Ms Bhutto died.
Naheed Khan (left), the political secretary and a close aide of Benazir Bhutto reacts as she meets visitors at Bhutto's ancestral home in Naudero near Larkana, Pakistan
She was killed when a suicide bomber first shot at her and then blew himself up as she left a pre-election rally, weeks after returning from exile.
Her supporters dispute government claims that an "al Qaida" militant leader was behind the attack, instead accusing the authorities of trying to cover-up a failure to protect her.
Further anger was sparked by official findings that the cause of death was not bullets or shrapnel but the blast forcing her head into a lever as she ducked back into her armoured vehicle.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband insisted yesterday that Britain had no reason to doubt the Pakistani government's account - and offered British help with an inquiry.
The party confirmed that it would contest the elections, welcoming the decision of Mr Sharif to drop his boycott.
Mr Zardari called on Britain (the former colonial power) and the United Nations to help investigate Ms Bhutto's death.
Benazir Bhutto with her young family including her son Bilawal as a boy
The Bhutto family have played a major role in shaping politics in Pakistan.
Benazir Bhutto's has twice been prime minister of the country.
Her grandfather was a senior figure in the Pakistan Muslim League, the party that helped Pakistan split from India and lead it to independence in 1947.
Her father - Pakistan's first elected prime minister - founded the party in 1967 and its electoral success since then has largely depended on the Bhutto name.
dailymail.co.uk
Bilawal is a student at Oxford University, just like his mother, Benazir, was. She was also elected president of the Oxford Union. He plans to return to England to complete his studies leaving his father in charge of the PPP.
Bilawal, who speaks perfect English with a British accent, today said: "My mother always said: democracy is the best revenge."
His father Asif also today asked the British to help investigate Benazir's death. Britain is the Mother Country of Pakistan, creating the country when it partitioned India in 1947 and forming two new states - a new India and Pakistan.
The pro-democracy Pakistan People's Party was founded in London by Benazir Bhutto.
Bhutto's son is heir to party: 'My mother always said: democracy is the best revenge'
30th December 2007
Daily Mail
Pakistan's most famous political dynasty continues as the teenage son of Benazir Bhutto takes control of her party following her assassination at the hands of a suicide bomber.
Oxford law student, Bilawal Bhutto, was appointed after reading his mother's political will at a special meeting of the party.
The 19-year-old will share control with his father Asif Ali Zardari, who will effectively lead the party for two years while Mr Bhutto completes his studies in England.
Bilawal Bhutto was named as the new chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party. His father will act as co-chairman while he finishes university
Mr Zardari, known as Mr 10 per cent, will be co-chairman of the PPP until Mr Bhutto takes full control.
In an emotional speech, the young leader, who has no experience in politics, told the meeting of the PPP he would continue the party's "long and historic struggle for democracy".
Speaking in English, he said: "My mother always said: democracy is the best revenge."
Benazir Bhutto's husband and son will take control of her party. Asif Ali Zardari (left) will effectively run it while Bilawal finishes his studies at Oxford University
Mr Zardari stopped his son from commenting further and said: "He may be our chairman, he is my son but he is of a tender age."
The announcement came as the ruling party said the country's elections, due on January 8, were likely to be delayed by up to four months amid ongoing violence.
An official announcement is expected tomorrow but another opposition leader Nawaz Sharif said he would reverse a decision to boycott an early poll if the PPP decided it would contest them.
The meeting of the PPP is expected to decide on that matter today.
Benazir Bhutto's supporters hold a vigil following her assassination
A senator from Bhutto's party said it was demanding that the elections take place on time.
"We want elections on January 8 and we will not let the government run away from the elections," said Senantor Safdar Abbasi.
"Any attempt to postpone the elections will not be accepted."
The meeting of the PPP took place amid mounting tension over conflicting claims about who was behind the assassination and how Ms Bhutto died.
Naheed Khan (left), the political secretary and a close aide of Benazir Bhutto reacts as she meets visitors at Bhutto's ancestral home in Naudero near Larkana, Pakistan
She was killed when a suicide bomber first shot at her and then blew himself up as she left a pre-election rally, weeks after returning from exile.
Her supporters dispute government claims that an "al Qaida" militant leader was behind the attack, instead accusing the authorities of trying to cover-up a failure to protect her.
Further anger was sparked by official findings that the cause of death was not bullets or shrapnel but the blast forcing her head into a lever as she ducked back into her armoured vehicle.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband insisted yesterday that Britain had no reason to doubt the Pakistani government's account - and offered British help with an inquiry.
The party confirmed that it would contest the elections, welcoming the decision of Mr Sharif to drop his boycott.
Mr Zardari called on Britain (the former colonial power) and the United Nations to help investigate Ms Bhutto's death.
Benazir Bhutto with her young family including her son Bilawal as a boy
The Bhutto family have played a major role in shaping politics in Pakistan.
Benazir Bhutto's has twice been prime minister of the country.
Her grandfather was a senior figure in the Pakistan Muslim League, the party that helped Pakistan split from India and lead it to independence in 1947.
Her father - Pakistan's first elected prime minister - founded the party in 1967 and its electoral success since then has largely depended on the Bhutto name.
dailymail.co.uk
