Youngest Daughter of President Asif Ali Zardari to become Pakistan’s First Lady

In a landmark decision, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has decided to officially recognise his daughter Aseefa Bhutto as the country’s First Lady, according to a local media report. 

The 31-year-old Aseefa Bhutto will be recognized as the First Lady as President Zardari became a widower after his wife Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in 2007.

Zardari, 68, was sworn in as the country's 14th president on Sunday. During his oath-taking ceremony at the President's House in Islamabad, Zardari was accompanied by his youngest daughter, Aseefa.

As Zardari did not remarry, the position of the first lady remained vacant during his first tenure as the country's president — from 2008 to 2013.

Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, eldest daughter of Zardari, also posted on X, “From accompanying president Asif Zardari to all his court hearings to fighting for his release from jail — now by his side as First Lady of Pakistan” adding Aseefa’s name at the end,” 

The Bhutto-family-led Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) seems to be confirming Zardari's decision. "Who will be the first lady of Pakistan? This is the question on many people’s minds after #PresidentAsifAliZardari took oath as 14th President of Pakistan after having been accompanied by his youngest child @AseefaBZ as he was ushered to his oath-taking," the party's handle posted on X. 

This significant move to elevate Aseefa to the prestigious position of First Lady marks a notable chapter in the nation’s political history, Pakistan's ARY News reported citing well-informed sources.

Aseefa Bhutto, who made her political debut at a PPP rally in Multan on November 30, 2020 was actively involved in the PPP's electoral campaign in the run-up to the February 8 polls and was seen leading various rallies in a bid to seek support for her brother Bilawal Bhutto Zardari — the party's then-candidate for the prime minister's post. 

After the official declaration, Aseefa will be given the protocol and privileges befitting the First Lady. Aseefa made her political debut at a PPP rally in Multan on November 30, 2020.

The occurrence is not a first and has been witnessed in foreign countries where presidents, who were widowers, had asked their daughters, sisters and even nieces to become their first lady.

Former United States president Andrew Jackson, who was a widower, had asked his niece Emily Donelson to serve as the country's first lady. Moreover, two other US presidents — Chester Arthur and Grover Cleveland — asked their sisters to serve as first lady.

(with PTI inputs)