Pakistan President Asif Zardari has decided to formally recognise his 31-year-old daughter Aseefa Bhutto as First Lady of the country in a historic decision, according to a media report.
The status of the First Lady goes to the wife of the President of the country in general. But Zardari became a widower after his wife and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in 2007.
Zardari did not remarry and the position of First Lady also remained vacant during his first tenure as the country's president from 2008 to 2013.
Zardari, 68, was sworn in as the country's 14th President on Sunday. During his oath-taking ceremony at the President's House in Islamabad, he was accompanied by his youngest daughter, Aseefa.
Sources claimed that President Zardari decided to declare Aseefa Bhutto as the first lady of Pakistan, ARY News reported.
This became particularly relevant when Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, the eldest daughter, tagged Aseefa in a post on X on Sunday.
T"From accompanying president Asif Zardari to all his court hearings to fighting for his release from jail — now by his side as First Lady of Pakistan” and added Aseefa’s name at the end," the tweet said.
The Bhutto family-led Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) also seemed to hint at Zardari's decision.
"Who will be the first lady of Pakistan? This is the question on many people’s minds after #PresidentAsifAliZardari took oath as 14th President of Pakistan after having been accompanied by his youngest child @AseefaBZ as he was ushered to his oath-taking," the party's handle posted on X.
This landmark move to elevate Aseefa to the prestigious position of First Lady marks a significant chapter in the nation’s political history, ARY News reported, citing well-informed sources.
After the official declaration, Aseefa will be given the protocol and privileges befitting the First Lady.
During Zardari's first term, Aseefa was a teenager.
Aseefa has been actively involved in the PPP's electoral campaign in the run-up to the February 8 polls and was seen leading various rallies in a bid to seek support for her brother Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the party's former Prime Ministerial candidate.
Aseefa made her political debut at a PPP rally in Multan on November 30, 2020.
There are many instances from foreign countries when presidents, who were widowers, have asked their daughters, sisters and even nieces to become their first lady.
Former US president Andrew Jackson, who was a widower, asked his niece Emily Donelson to serve as the country's First Lady.
Two other US presidents -- Chester Arthur and Grover Cleveland -- asked their sisters to become the First Lady.
