Bilawal's Appeal for Personal Privacy

After being named Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party to succeed his high-profile mother Benazir Bhutto, Bilawal's life has suddenly gone from very private to very public. As expected, the tenacious Papparazi and the ruthless tabloid press have found a new subject to pursue relentlessly. Examples of this coverage include the stories in the British tabloids The Sun and The Daily Mail. While clearly distressing for the teenager just starting college, this attention is not unexpected. What is most unfortunate is the fact that poor Bilawal probably did not choose to be in this situation. More than the circumstances, I believe it is Mr. Asif Zardari, the widower of late Benazir Bhutto, who has brought it upon his 19-year old son. As the father of a daughter of the same age as Bilawal, I truly sympathize with his need and appeal for personal privacy that he has made in his news conference in London today. At the same press conference, he has echoed a number of allegations and made demands that have been made by other PPP leaders. Taking very public positions on such issues while at the same time appealing for personal privacy seem incongruent. More than anything else in the world, what this young man needs is advice and support and sincere guidance from his family to survive this difficult period right after the tragic loss of his mother. Such advice and guidance should include a wise counsel to lay low and stop making any public statements to the media. I wish this young man the very best in this difficult time.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Devil Costume at a Halloween Party in Oxford

“We’re ready to bring hell on earth. . . waaahahahahahah.”

Here is a picture of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari (Facebook alias: Bilawal Lawalib) posing with a friend published by the UK tabloid The Sun. The Sun obtained it from Facebook. This picture reinforces the fact that Bilwawl is just a kid, enjoying life as college kids do in the West. Poor Bilawal. He's been pushed into this limelight by his father at such a young age. I just hope it does not invite the attention of the unsavory elements in society.

19-year-old Bilawal succeeds Benazir Bhutto

Benazir Bhutto was not only chairperson of PPP for life but designated her husband as successor for leadership in her will. Her husband decided to name his son Bilawal to succeed while maintaining effective control of the party himself as co-chairman. It all stays in the family, like the rest of their wealth and other vast possessions. This only confirms the undemocratic nature of Pakistan's elite that includes Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, also chairperson for life of of his party PML(N).
As long as Pakistanis accept this behavior of their "leaders", they will continue to be ruled by a small elite that disenfranchises them. The only way out of this monarchical system is to let the current economic growth continue in Pakistan that strengthens the size and the power of the middle class to develop sufficient clout to bring about real broad-based democracy based on rule-of-law.
For those interested in a broader perspective of this development, please read my blog entry titled "Who Owns Pakistan".