Asif Ali Zardari elected Pakistan’s president for second time

The PPP co-chairperson made an impressive return, securing a win in the presidential election with significant parliamentary support, thus becoming the 14th head of state. He has previously held the presidency.

After his wife, former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, was assassinated in December 2007, Zardari took charge of the PPP. He emerged successful in the recent presidential election following a coalition deal with the PML-N.

The PPP supported PML-N’s Shehbaz Sharif for prime minister after the February 8 general elections, as part of their agreement.

Together, Shehbaz and Zardari represent the leadership of the newly formed, seemingly stable coalition government.

Before this, Shehbaz had led a coalition government for 16 months when the previous opposition forced PTI’s Imran Khan out of office in April 2022 using a no-confidence motion.

Zardari completed his five-year presidential term in 2013.

Now, both Shehbaz and Zardari have reclaimed their former positions, marking a high point in their political careers.

Zardari, once considered a fortuitous recipient of the presidency, has this time secured his position through strategic negotiations between the two major parties, his own PPP and the PML-N.