Asif Zardari

Asif Zardari

President of Pakistan since 2008.
Date of Birth: 26.07.1956
Country: Pakistan

Content:
  1. Early Life and Education
  2. Political Career
  3. 1988-1990: "Mr. 10 Percent"
  4. Early 1990s: Member of Parliament and Prison
  5. 1993-1996: Ministerial Roles
  6. 1996-2004: Accusations and Imprisonment
  7. 2004-2007: Release and Exile
  8. Ascent to Presidency
  9. Personal Life

Early Life and Education

Asif Ali Zardari was born on July 26 or 21, 1956 in Nawabshah, Sindh Province, Pakistan, to politician Hakim Ali Zardari. He grew up in Karachi, where he studied at Karachi Grammar School or according to alternative sources, St. Patrick's High School, which was also the school of former President Pervez Musharraf. Zardari then attended Cadet College in Petaro, graduating in 1974. It is reported that he had a reputation as a playboy during his youth.

Asif Zardari

In the mid-1970s, Zardari traveled to London, where he attended the Pedinton School and studied at the London Business School, where he allegedly acquired a bachelor's degree in business administration. However, some sources suggest that he did not complete his education.

Asif Zardari

Political Career

Early Years

Zardari entered politics in 1985 when he ran for the National Assembly in Sindh but lost. On December 18, 1987, he married Benazir Bhutto, the leader of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and the leader of the opposition. During this time, Zardari is said to have shown little interest in politics and was better known as a polo player with his own team, "Zardari Four."

Asif Zardari

1988-1990: "Mr. 10 Percent"

After the assassination of President Zia-ul-Haq in 1988, Bhutto became Prime Minister. During the period from 1988 to 1990, Zardari earned the nickname "Mr. 10 Percent" as he was suspected of demanding kickbacks of 10 percent on contracts awarded by Bhutto's government. In 1990, Bhutto's government was overthrown, and Zardari was arrested on charges of extortion, kidnapping, and corruption. His arrest is widely seen as an attempt to discredit Bhutto during the lead-up to elections.

Asif Zardari

Early 1990s: Member of Parliament and Prison

Despite his arrest, Zardari was elected to the National Assembly, Pakistan's lower house, and remained a member until 1996. He was released from prison in early 1993. In April of that year, President Ghulam Ishaq Khan dismissed the government of Bhutto's successor, Nawaz Sharif, and appointed Balakh Sher Mazari as caretaker Prime Minister. Zardari was included in the caretaker government and was given the portfolio of Water and Power, but the Supreme Court restored Sharif's government in May.

Asif Zardari

1993-1996: Ministerial Roles

In October 1993, the PPP won the election, and Bhutto again became Prime Minister, with Zardari serving as Minister of Environment from 1993 to 1996 and Minister of Investment in 1995-1996. Among his achievements during this time were attracting investment in Pakistan's energy sector and overseeing the construction of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline.

1996-2004: Accusations and Imprisonment

In November 1996, Bhutto's government was dismissed, and Zardari was arrested as he attempted to leave the country. He was accused of being responsible for the murder of Mir Murtaza Bhutto, his wife's brother and a political opponent. Zardari himself accused Pakistan's intelligence services of carrying out the murder. Zardari was subsequently charged with various crimes, including murder, corruption, and drug trafficking.

In August 2004, he admitted to owning an estate in Surrey, England worth £4.35 million, which the Pakistani authorities claimed was purchased with corrupt funds. Despite this, Zardari consistently maintained that all cases against him were politically motivated and none had been proven. Zardari remained in prison until 2004. It is alleged that he was tortured while in prison.

2004-2007: Release and Exile

In November 2004, Zardari was released on bail. He was re-arrested on December 21 after failing to appear at a hearing in the murder case, but he was released again almost immediately. Soon after, Zardari flew to the United Arab Emirates, where he was reunited with Bhutto on December 31, 2004. Zardari then kept a low profile until Bhutto's return to Pakistan.

Ascent to Presidency

In October 2007, Bhutto returned to Pakistan but was assassinated in a bombing in December. In January 2008, Zardari, along with his son Bilawal, assumed the leadership of the PPP. The party went on to win the February 2008 election and formed a coalition with the Pakistan Muslim League, led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Although the PPP had the right to nominate the next Prime Minister, Zardari announced in March 2008 that he would not become Prime Minister and instead focus on party affairs. Yousaf Raza Gilani was appointed as Prime Minister.

In early August 2008, the coalition announced its intention to impeach Musharraf and succeeded in doing so shortly thereafter. However, the coalition collapsed after Zardari reneged on his campaign promise to reinstate the Supreme Court judges who had been dismissed by Musharraf in 2007.

Despite this, Zardari was elected President of Pakistan on September 6, 2008.

Personal Life

Zardari is the director of Zardari Group Ltd. He is said to suffer from a mental condition stemming from his long years in prison.

Zardari is a widower with three children: Bilawal (born 1988), Bakhtawar (born 1990), and Aseefa (born 1993).

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