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Pakistan
AsiaSouth Asia

Pakistan elects Asif Ali Zardari, widower of slain first female PM Benazir Bhutto, as president for second time

  • The election was seen as smooth sailing for the candidate of the ruling alliance of at least six major political parties
  • He is one of the most controversial political figures of the country who spent more than 10 years in jail before he first became president in 2008

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Asif Ali Zardari takes part in a ceremony of the launching of an Urdu newspaper in Islamabad on February 17, 2008. He is one of the most controversial political figures of the country who spent more than 10 years in jail before he first became president in 2008. Photo: AFP
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Pakistan on Saturday elected Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of slain first female prime minister Benazir Bhutto, as the country’s 14th president for next five years.

Zardari, the co-chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), becomes the first civilian who is elected as president for a second term. He completed his first five-year term in 2013.

According to unofficial results announced by his son and PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Zardari secured 411 votes after winning in national and three provincial assemblies.

The election was seen as smooth sailing for the candidate of the ruling alliance of at least six major political parties, including the party of three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari (left) chats with his father Asif Ali Zardari prior to presenting their party manifesto in 2018. Photo: AFP
Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari (left) chats with his father Asif Ali Zardari prior to presenting their party manifesto in 2018. Photo: AFP

Mahmood Khan Achakzai, chairman of Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party from the southwestern province of Balochistan, had the support of former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

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