Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari has secured her seat as a member of the National Assembly from NA-207 Shaheed Benazirabad (formerly Nawabshah) without facing any opposition (unopposed).
Following the submission of her nomination papers on March 17, Aseefa’s candidacy was approved by the returning officer (RO) after the scrutiny process on Thursday.This seat became vacant after her father, Asif Ali Zardari, was elected as the president.
Speculations were rife that President Zardari intended to appoint Aseefa as the new first lady, a title the PPP has already started using for her. According to a notification from the RO, three candidates withdrew from the by-poll contest, namely Abdul Rasool Brohi, Amanullah, and Mairaj Ahmed.
Expressing her gratitude and honor for being elected unopposed, Aseefa pledged to serve all her constituents regardless of political affiliations. She thanked the people of her constituency, PPP workers, and media organizations for their support.
Her siblings, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, also congratulated her, with Bakhtawar expressing pride in PPP’s newest lawmaker.
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar extended his congratulations to Aseefa on her unopposed election, describing it as a moment of joy for all PPP workers. Aseefa holds a bachelor’s degree in politics and sociology and a master’s in global health and development.
Her involvement in politics dates back to 2012 when she served as a goodwill ambassador for polio eradication, gaining familiarity among the masses.
Meanwhile, the PTI claimed that its candidate for NA-207, Ghulam Mustafa Rind, was arrested by the Sakrand police. PTI leaders condemned the arrest, alleging that it was politically motivated and aimed at thwarting their candidate’s participation in the by-elections.
However, the home minister refuted these allegations, stating that the candidate was not arrested by the police.
