Asif Ali Zardari holds the distinction of being the first Pakistani head of state born after the country's independence, currently serving his second term as president since 2024. His political ascent was tethered to his 1987 marriage to Benazir Bhutto, a union that placed him at the center of national governance, subsequent legal controversies, and decades of shifting legislative power.
Early Life and Education
Born in Karachi on 26 July 1955, Zardari is the son of Hakim Ali Zardari, a tribal chief and landowner from Sindh, and Bilquis Sultana Zardari. His upbringing in Karachi included education at Cadet College Petaro and St Patrick's High School, which he attended between 1973 and 1974. His early life also involved varied pursuits, including boxing, playing polo with a team called the Zardari Four, and a brief appearance as a child actor in the 1969 film Salgira.
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Zardari's entry into politics followed his marriage to Benazir Bhutto. During her first term as prime minister, he faced accusations of corruption, earning the moniker 'Mr. Ten Percent' from political rivals like Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi. Following the dismissal of Bhutto's government in 1990, he was arrested on charges of extortion and kidnapping. Despite subsequent periods of incarceration and self-imposed exile, he remained involved in parliamentary politics, securing seats in the National Assembly and the Senate during the 1990s.
Presidential Tenures
After the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in 2007, Zardari assumed leadership of the Pakistan Peoples Party. He won the 2008 general election and oversaw the resignation of Pervez Musharraf before beginning his first presidential term. This period saw the passage of the Eighteenth Amendment in 2010, which reduced presidential authority. After becoming the first elected president to complete a full constitutional term in 2013, he returned to the presidency in 2024 following a coalition agreement established after the general election.
Fast facts
- Born: 26 July 1955, Karachi
- First Presidency: 2008-2013
- Current Presidency: 2024-Present
- Political Party: Pakistan Peoples Party
- Spouse: Benazir Bhutto (married 1987)
- Education: Cadet College Petaro; St Patrick's High School
- Award: Nishan-e-Pakistan
- Religion: Islam
Questions readers ask
Did Asif Ali Zardari complete his full term as president?
Yes, he became the first elected president of Pakistan to complete his full constitutional term on 9 September 2013.
What is the significance of the Eighteenth Amendment during his presidency?
Passed in 2010, the amendment constitutionally reduced the powers of the president, shifting them toward the legislature.
