Asif Ali Zardari set to return as Pakistan president

Former President of Pakistan and President of Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP), Asif Ali Zardari gestures towards supporters during a campaign rally for the 2024 general elections in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh village, Larkana, Pakistan on December 27, 2023.
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Updated 09 March 2024
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Asif Ali Zardari set to return as Pakistan president

  • Between 2008 and 2013, he ushered in constitutional reforms, and the 68-year-old’s second term will see him steer a largely ceremonial office
  • He has spent more than 11 years in jail, a long time even by the standards of Pakistani politicians, with a wheeler-dealer’s talent for bouncing back

ISLAMABAD: Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of Pakistan’s slain first female premier Benazir Bhutto who has had a life storied equally by tragedy and farce, is set to become president for a second time on Saturday.

Initially a background character as Bhutto’s consort, Zardari was stained by a bevy of corruption and other allegations, including absurd kidnapping plots and taking kickbacks lavished on hoards of jewelry.

Despite a reputation as “Mr. Ten Percent” — the alleged cut he took for rubber-stamping contracts — a sympathy vote propelled him to office when his wife was assassinated in a 2007 bomb and gun attack.

Between 2008 and 2013, he ushered in constitutional reforms rolling back presidential powers, and the 68-year-old’s second term will see him steer a largely ceremonial office.




Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto (L) rests inside the presidential car with husband Asif Ali Zardari cuddling their baby son Bilawal shortly after their arrival in Kuala Lumpur on October 17, 1989 to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

He has spent more than 11 years in jail, a long time even by the standards of Pakistani politicians, with a wheeler-dealer’s talent for bouncing back after scandals.

Back in 2009, the New York Times said he had a knack for “artful dodging” — “maneuvering himself out of the tight spots he gets himself into.”

Newly sworn-in lawmakers were set to vote him in under the terms of a coalition deal brokered after February 8 elections marred by rigging claims.

Under that deal, Zardari’s Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) will take the presidency, while its historic rivals the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party secured the prime minister’s position for Shehbaz Sharif, who was officially sworn in on Monday.

Zardari was born in 1955 into a land-owning family from the southern province of Sindh.




Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari (L) chats with his father and Pakistan's former president Asif Ali Zardari (R) prior to presenting their party manifesto for the forthcoming general election during a press conference in Islamabad on June 28, 2018. (AFP/File)

“As a child, I was spoilt by my parents as an only son,” he said in a 2000 interview with the Guardian newspaper. “They indulged my every whim.”

He expressed only limited political ambitions as a young man — losing a 1983 local government election.

It was his 1987 arranged marriage with PPP leader Benazir Bhutto that earned him a spot in the political limelight.

Their union — brokered by Bhutto’s mother — was considered an unlikely pairing for a leader-in-waiting from one of Pakistan’s major political dynasties.

Bhutto was an Oxford and Harvard graduate driven by the desire to oust then-president Mohammad Zia-ul-Haq, who forced her father from the prime minister’s office and had him executed.




Pakistani People's Party (PPP) leader, Benazir Bhutto (R) is seen during her wedding where she is getting married to Asif Ali Zardari in Karachi December 18, 1987. (AFP/File)

Zardari was a university dropout with a reputation for brawling, partying and romancing women at a private disco in his family home.

On the eve of their wedding, Bhutto’s team issued a formal statement denying he was “a playboy who plays polo by day and frequents discos at night.”

Their nuptial celebrations were dubbed the “people’s wedding” — doubling as a political rally in the megacity of Karachi, where a crowd of 100,000 fervently chanted PPP slogans.

Initially, Zardari pledged to keep out of politics.

Bhutto served as prime minister from 1988 to 1990 — the first woman to head a democratic government in a Muslim country — and again from 1993 to 1996.

PPP insiders regarded Zardari as a liability, considering him likely to embarrass her leadership.

Their fears were perhaps well-founded. In 1990, he was embroiled in accusations of an absurd plot to extort a businessman by tying a bomb to his leg.

He was jailed for three years on extortion and kidnapping charges but was elected to the national assembly from behind bars.

In Bhutto’s second term, he served as investment minister.




Pakistan's new President Asif Ali Zardari stands in front of a portrait of his slain wife Benazir Bhutto and waves as he arrives for a joint press conference at The Presidential Palace in Islamabad on September 9, 2008. (AFP/File)

A bombshell New York Times investigation detailed how he tried to engineer vast kickbacks on military contracts over this period while lavishing huge sums on jewelry.

After Bhutto’s government fell in 1996, Zardari was back behind bars within half an hour.

In December 2007, Bhutto was assassinated while on the campaign trail for a third term in office.

Her killing shook the nation to its core, a wave of sympathy carrying the PPP to victory in 2008. The party nominated Zardari as president.

In 2010, he was widely criticized for continuing a European holiday when the nation was devastated by floods that killed almost 1,800 and affected 21 million.

He was also head of state when US commandos trespassed onto Pakistani soil for the 2011 assassination of Osama Bin Laden, an episode that humiliated many compatriots.

He did, however, usher in constitutional reforms rolling back the sweeping powers of the presidency and bolstering parliamentary democracy that had been undermined by three decades of military rule since 1947.

In 2013, Zardari became the first Pakistani president to complete his full term.

He was jailed once again over money laundering charges in 2019 but was released months later.

Zardari and Benazir had three children, including Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the current chairman of the PPP.


England’s Bethell ruled out of Pakistan-hosted Champions Trophy— captain

Updated 10 February 2025
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England’s Bethell ruled out of Pakistan-hosted Champions Trophy— captain

  • Left-handed Jacob Bethell sat out second ODI against India with hamstring injury
  • England call up Somerset batsman Tom Banton on Sunday as cover for injured Bethell

NEW DELHI: Jacob Bethell is set to miss next week’s Champions Trophy after the left-handed batsman sat out the second one-day international against India with a hamstring injury.

The 21-year-old Bethell made 51 in the opening defeat last week, but was missing on Sunday as India took an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series in Cuttack.

The 50-over Champions Trophy begins on Feb. 19 in Pakistan and Dubai.

“I’m pretty sure (Bethell) has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy, to be honest,” captain Jos Buttler admitted after England’s four-wicket defeat.

“That’s really disappointing for him. Obviously, he played nicely the other day and has been one of the really exciting players,” he added.

“It’s a shame that injury is going to rule him out.”

England have not made an official statement on Bethell’s status, but they called up Somerset batsman Tom Banton on Sunday as cover.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Banton, 26, was due to arrive in India on Monday and join the England squad for the final match of the series in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

Banton has played in six ODIs, with a top score of 58 and averages 26.80 with the bat.

England’s first match in the Champions Trophy is against World Cup winners Australia on Feb. 22.

Final squads must be submitted by Feb. 12.


On the frontline: Over 300 women officers join Balochistan police amid rising security threats

Updated 10 February 2025
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On the frontline: Over 300 women officers join Balochistan police amid rising security threats

  • Female officers will participate in snap checking of vehicles, conduct investigations and carry out raids
  • They completed seven-month training alongside their male colleagues, including intense shooting practice

QUETTA: In the heart of Quetta’s Fayaz Sumbal Shaheed Police Lines, 24-year-old Nimra Muhammad Suleman stands poised among over two dozen female police officials, all preparing for their morning parade.

Having completed a rigorous seven-month training in January at the Police Training College on Quetta’s outskirts, Suleman is driven by a singular purpose: serving and protecting the women and children of Balochistan’s conservative tribal society.

Pakistan’s largest province in terms of landmass, the country’s southwestern region of Balochistan has long grappled with security challenges, with separatist groups intensifying their insurgency in recent years, notably by employing female suicide bombers.

Two years ago, a 30-year-old mother of two blew herself up at Karachi University, killing a group of Chinese academics to avenge Beijing’s decision to jointly undertake infrastructure and energy projects with Pakistan.

The collaboration did not sit well with separatist Baloch outfits, who accuse Pakistan of exploiting the province’s natural resources without benefiting the local population— an allegation denied by successive governments, which say they are carrying out development projects to improve people’s quality of life.

Given the changing nature of the threat, law enforcement agencies have also inducted more female officials in recent years.

“We are not lady constables,” Suleman said while speaking to Arab News on Friday. “We are police officers, and we can do everything by standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our male colleagues, including protecting women and children and countering terrorism.”

Security personnel stand guard outside the Fayaz Suambal Shaheed Police Lines in Quetta, Pakistan, on February 7, 2025. (AN Photo)

The recent graduation of over 1,600 cadets from the Police Training College, including 386 women from 32 districts, marks a transformative moment for Balochistan’s security.

“In other areas such as Punjab and Sindh, [women] police constables were in higher proportion. And now in Balochistan, a very large batch has passed out this time,” she continued. “We will now be equal [in terms of our strength] to Punjab and Sindh.”

Nimra Muhammad Suleman (center) a police cadets, marches at the Fayaz Suambal Shaheed Police Lines in Quetta, Pakistan, on February 7, 2025. (AN Photo)

According to the provincial police department, the newly graduated women police officers have completed various training sessions alongside their male colleagues, including intense shooting practice and lessons on sections of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Now, female officers will also take part in snap checking of vehicles, conduct investigations and carry out raids against suspected criminals.

“When I was posted here in 2014, the total strength of women police personnel was 32, but as crime rates against women increased, the department raised the number to over 500,” said Station House Officer Zarghoona Kakar who trained Suleman and her batch.

“From now on, women will be seen everywhere in Balochistan because the time has changed when women police officers were limited to raids and office work,” she added.

The integration of these female officers comes at a critical juncture. In 2024 alone, Balochistan reported nearly 40 attacks against its police force, resulting in 25 fatalities and 61 injuries.

For many of these newly inducted officers, joining the police force required overcoming societal and familial hurdles. Javeriya Sarwar, another graduate, emphasized the importance of parental support.

Javeriya Sarwar (first right) and Nimra Muhammad Suleman (left) stand guard for a regular parade at the Fayaz Sumbal Shaheed Police Lines in Quetta, Pakistan, on February 7, 2025. (AN Photo)

“Many people in Balochistan have a negative mindset toward sending their daughters to the police department, but girls should join the police force since it provides us the opportunity to serve the masses,” she said.

Initially, Sarwar’s father was hesitant about her career choice, but she persuaded him to allow her to pursue her passion for policing.

“A man in uniform can sacrifice his life for the country,” she said. “With Balochistan being plagued by terrorism, it was my passion to sacrifice everything for the police force and Pakistan.”


Pakistani restaurants showcase culinary expertise, artistic creativity at Riyadh Food Festival 

Updated 10 February 2025
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Pakistani restaurants showcase culinary expertise, artistic creativity at Riyadh Food Festival 

  • Food festival organized from Feb. 5-9 featured prominent Pakistani restaurants, country’s iconic truck art
  • Pakistani embassy in Riyadh says event provided “excellent opportunity” for country to promote food industry

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani restaurants showcased their culinary expertise and artistic creativity during the five-day Riyadh Food Festival in Saudi Arabia, a statement from Pakistan’s embassy in the Kingdom said on Sunday, offering visitors from across the world a taste of the country’s cuisines and delicacies. 

The festival, which was held from Feb. 5-9 under the patronage of the Culinary Commission of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture, brought together diverse culinary traditions and cultural experiences from around the world, with Pakistan making a significant impact through its rich flavors and vibrant artistic heritage, the Pakistani embassy in Riyadh said. 

Among other outlets, Pakistan was represented at the festival by three prominent restaurants--Zouq Nihari, Lahore Village and Tikka Masala. 

“Visitors had the opportunity to indulge in traditional delicacies and an array of delectable Pakistani street food, all of which received an enthusiastic response from food lovers in Riyadh,” the embassy said. 

A Pakistani kiosks called "Lahori Village" is pictured at Riyadh Food Festival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 6, 2025. (Pakistan Embassy in Saudi Arabia)

It said Pakistan’s pavilion at the festival also featured two dedicated retail kiosks showcasing the country’s culinary and artistic brilliance. Mehran Foods, a leading name in Pakistani spices, set up a display of its premium spice range, offering visitors a chance to experience Pakistan’s “bold and aromatic flavors.” 

A special kiosk dedicated to Pakistan’s iconic truck art was also set up at the festival. It featured intricately designed truck art wares such as hand-painted decorative pieces, household items and souvenirs. 

“A live painting demonstration by skilled Pakistani truck artists further captivated audiences, allowing visitors to witness the meticulous craftsmanship and cultural storytelling embedded in this unique art form,” it said. 

A painter paints a truck at Riyadh Food Festival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 6, 2025. (Pakistan Embassy in Saudi Arabia)

“The enthusiastic response from visitors underscores the growing appreciation for Pakistani cuisine and craftsmanship in Saudi Arabia,” Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia said in a statement. 

The embassy said the festival provided an excellent opportunity for Pakistan to strengthen its cultural ties with Saudi Arabia while promoting its food industry and artistic heritage to a wider audience. 

“The Embassy of Pakistan remains committed to fostering deeper cultural exchanges between the two nations and looks forward to future collaborations that showcase Pakistan’s rich traditions on the international stage,” it said. 


Pakistan president in Lisbon to condole death of Aga Khan IV

Updated 54 min 13 sec ago
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Pakistan president in Lisbon to condole death of Aga Khan IV

  • Prince Karim Aga Khan IV passed away at age of 88 last week in Lisbon 
  • Asif Ali Zardari to meet Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari is in Portugal’s capital Lisbon to offer his condolences on the death of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community, state-run media reported on Monday. 

The late Aga Khan, who led the global Ismaili community for nearly seven decades, passed away last week at the age of 88. His death was announced by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and the Ismaili religious community.

A private funeral service took place at the Ismaili community center in Lisbon on Saturday, attended by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Spaincs King Emeritus Juan Carlos, Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. He was laid to rest on Sunday at a private ceremony in Aswan, Egypt.

“President Asif Ali Zardari is set to meet Prince Rahim Agha Khan in Lisbon, Portugal,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan said. “During the meeting, he will extend his condolences on the passing away of late Prince Karim Aga Khan IV.”

The Pakistani president will also meet his Portuguese counterpart Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa during his trip to the country, the state media said. 

Following the late Aga Khan’s passing, his eldest son, Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini, 53, was named the Aga Khan V, the 50th hereditary Imam of the community, in accordance with his father’s will.

The AKDN, founded by the late Ismaili leader, has been instrumental in various development projects in Pakistan, particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral regions. Initiatives such as the Aga Khan Rural Support Program have focused on poverty alleviation, health care, education and cultural preservation, significantly contributing to the socio-economic development of these areas.

The Ismaili community in Pakistan, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, has benefited from these initiatives, which have also had a positive impact on the national economy through improved infrastructure and human development.
 


Pakistani firms eye $50 million business deals at LEAP 2025 tech conference in Riyadh

Updated 57 min 36 sec ago
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Pakistani firms eye $50 million business deals at LEAP 2025 tech conference in Riyadh

  • The fourth edition of the LEAP conference aims to expand business networking and investment opportunities in the global tech sector
  • Pakistan has the largest ever presence at LEAP this year, with over 100 companies and 1,000 delegates featuring innovative solutions

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani tech companies participating in the four-day LEAP 2025 tech conference in Riyadh are hopeful of attracting business deals worth $50 million at the global tech event, the head of Pakistani software producers’ association said on Sunday.
The fourth edition of LEAP, recognized as Saudi Arabia’s award-winning global technology event, opened on Sunday and will continue till Feb. 12, for which entrepreneurs, investors and startups have converged in Riyadh to present their products to an anticipated audience of over 170,000 visitors. It follows last year’s record-breaking LEAP 2024, which saw $13.4 billion in investments and project commitments. Under the theme “Into New Worlds,” LEAP 2025 aims to expand business networking and investment opportunities in the tech sector.
Pakistan recorded the highest-ever monthly IT exports of $348 million in Dec. 2024, up by 15 percent year-on-year and 12 percent month-on-month, according to official data. The LEAP event offers Pakistani firms a platform to collaborate with stakeholders, explore business opportunities and showcase Pakistan’s diverse IT exports, including software development, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, fintech, gaming and robotics.
“This year, we have one of the largest delegations ever at LEAP, with over 100 companies and more than 1,000 delegates participating,” Sajjad Mustafa Syed, chairman of the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), told Arab News over the phone from Riyadh.
“With this strong presence at LEAP, we expect to double our business this year and generate $50 million in deals.”
Pakistani IT companies continue to maintain a strong presence in the Kingdom and this year some of the biggest names, including Systems Limited, Abacus and Excellence Delivered, are participating in the mega tech event, according to the P@SHA chairman.
In addition, several startups, around 20 companies sponsored by P@SHA, and a few more sponsored by the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) are attending the event, while some Pakistani firms have joined independently.
Syed said Saudi investors “responded positively” to Pakistani companies during a meeting of the Pakistan-Saudi Business Forum that was held ahead of the LEAP inauguration.
“There is growing excitement about Pakistan’s IT industry, which has now firmly arrived on the global stage,” he said. “We are no longer at the startup or entry level rather we are now a recognized force in the global tech landscape, and this recognition is evident in Saudi Arabia.”
Syed said Pakistan’s tech solutions were “at par with the best in the world, if not superior.”
“Our companies are making strides in high-tech sectors such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity,” he added.
Former P@SHA chairman Muhammad Zohaib Khan, whose e-solutions company A2Z Creatorz is participating in LEAP, said the event has enabled many Pakistani firms to establish businesses in the Kingdom over the past few years.
“Our participation in LEAP 2024 was a huge success as around 25 Pakistani companies registered in the Kingdom after that and secured some good business deals,” he told Arab News.
“This year, we hope more companies will have the opportunity to register in the Kingdom through collaborations with Saudi firms and secure significant business by establishing offices in Saudi Arabia.”
Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmad Farooq, said the LEAP conference has developed into one of the foremost global IT events since 2022.
“The participation of over 100 Pakistani IT companies at LEAP 2025 is a testament to Pakistan’s growing strength in the global technology sector,” he said.
He said the Pakistani IT industry is offering cutting-edge solutions in AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity and software development, making Pakistan a key player in digital transformation.
“To further strengthen collaboration and engagement, I had the pleasure of hosting a networking dinner in Riyadh on February 8, bringing together over 400 distinguished guests, including business leaders, investors, and technology experts,” he said, adding that Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 presents immense opportunities and Pakistan is committed to fostering deeper cooperation through innovation in the region.
The LEAP tech conference plays a critical role in Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a global technology hub, aligning with its Vision 2030 plan to diversify the economy. As part of the initiative, the Kingdom has pledged $100 billion toward advancing its technology sector.
LEAP 2025 will debut Tech Arena, a platform for emerging innovations, featuring a ‘Live TV’ stage hosted by BBC Click’s Lara Lewington and Spencer Kelly. It is one of two new segments at LEAP 2025, alongside the SportsTech stage, supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 for innovation and technological growth.
Visitors will explore AI, mixed reality, fashion tech, and brain-computer interfaces. Key highlights include Anouk Wipprecht’s Tech Couture exhibit, Adobe’s ‘Project Primrose’ digital dress technology, and Aramco-backed Terra Drone’s long-range medical delivery system. Saudi oil giant Aramco will also showcase SARA, an AI-driven assistant for decision-making. Engine VR will present its Golden Gloves VR boxing platform with live demos by UFC fighter Andrew Sanchez, while Alwaleed Philanthropies will showcase its Atlai AI program to support global deforestation monitoring. XPANCEO will introduce smart contact lenses with integrated computing.