Benazirs 19-year-old son to lead PPP

Slain former Pakistan premier Benazir Bhuttos 19-year-old son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, was named as Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Sunday at a meeting of Central Executive Committee of the party held at Bhuttos parental Naudero House in Larkana.

Larkana (Pakistan), Dec 30 : Slain former Pakistan premier Benazir Bhutto's 19-year-old son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, was named as Chairman of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) on Sunday at a meeting of Central Executive Committee of the party held at Bhutto's parental Naudero House in Larkana.

The party leaders elected Bilawal at a marathon meeting that went for over four hours. During the first phase of the meeting Bilawal read out his mother's will in presence of his sisters, Bakhtawar and Asifa.

Benazir's husband Asif Ali Zardari has been appointed as the co-chairman of the party.

The party constitution, however, states that the Chairman of the party must be at least 22 years old.

It is likely that the party has decided to go ahead and participate in the January 8 elections.

Earlier in the day, PPP spokesperson Sherry Rehman said that Bilawal is not keen to take up the post and wants to pursue his studies at the Oxford University.

Born on September 21, 1988, Bilawal did his schooling from Rashid School for Boys in Dubai and is presently doing his A-level at the Oxford University.

He is said to have acquired a black belt in the martial art of Taekwondo and is fond of horse riding.

There were earlier speculations that Senior Vice-Chairman of the party Makhdoom Amin Fahim, who presided over today's meeting, was tipped to lead the party.

ANI