Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is a Pakistani politician who is currently serving as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan since April 2022. He is also the chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), one of the largest and oldest political parties in Pakistan.
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Early life and education
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was born on 21 September 1988 in Karachi, Sindh, to Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari. His mother was the former Prime Minister of Pakistan and his father was the former President of Pakistan. He is the grandson of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, another former Prime Minister and President of Pakistan, who founded PPP in 1967.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari received his early education in Karachi and Dubai. He then moved to Oxford University in England, where he studied history and politics. He graduated with honors in 2010.
Political career
Bilawal entered politics at a young age, following his mother’s assassination in December 2007. He was named as the co-chairman of PPP along with his father at a party meeting on 30 December 2007. He was only 19 years old at that time.
Bilawal campaigned for PPP in the general elections of 2008 and 2013, but did not contest any seat himself. He became more active in party affairs after his father completed his term as President in September 2013. He delivered speeches at various rallies and events across the country, highlighting PPP’s achievements and criticizing its rivals.
In December 2014, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari announced that he would contest a by-election from Larkana district, his ancestral home and a stronghold of PPP. However, he later withdrew his nomination due to security concerns.
In March 2018, Bilawal contested for the first time from two constituencies: NA-200 Larkana-I and NA-246 Karachi South-I. He won both seats with comfortable margins.
In August 2018, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari became the leader of opposition in the National Assembly of Pakistan after PPP emerged as the third-largest party in parliament.
In April 2022, Bilawal was appointed as the Minister of Foreign Affairs by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani after a cabinet reshuffle. He replaced Shah Mahmood Qureshi who became the Interior Minister.
Major challenges
As the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari faces several challenges both at home and abroad.
He has to deal with a deteriorating relationship with India over Kashmir issue; an uncertain situation in Afghanistan after US withdrawal; an economic crisis worsened by Covid-19 pandemic; a growing pressure from international community over human rights violations; a fragile coalition government led by PPP; and an opposition alliance led by Imran Khan’s PTI that accuses him of corruption and nepotism.
He has also to cope with high expectations from his supporters who see him as a young leader who can revive PPP’s popularity and legacy; as well as comparisons with his mother who was known for her charisma and diplomacy skills.
Achievements
Despite these challenges, Bilawal has also achieved some successes as Foreign Minister so far.
He has visited several countries including China, Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, UAE etc., where he met with their leaders and discussed bilateral relations; he has participated in various regional forums such as SAARC summit , OIC meeting etc., where he raised Pakistan’s stance on key issues such as Kashmir , Palestine etc.; he has hosted several foreign dignitaries such as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken , UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab etc., where he discussed ways to enhance cooperation on various fields such as trade , education , counter-terrorism etc.; he has also addressed international platforms such as UN General Assembly , UN Human Rights Council etc., where he highlighted Pakistan’s achievements , challenges ,and contributions to global peace .
He has also initiated some reforms within his ministry such as appointing more women diplomats , launching digital diplomacy initiatives , enhancing public diplomacy outreach etc.
Conclusion
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is one of the most prominent politicians in Pakistan today . He is not only carrying forward his family’s legacy but also carving out his own identity . He faces many difficulties but also shows potential . He is still young but already experienced . He is ambitious but also pragmatic . He is controversial but also popular.
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