Asif Ali Zardari began his professional life by striving unsuccessfully to pursue a political career, but his perseverance and political ties finally helped him rise to the position of President of his country. His political success was largely due to his wife’s considerably more successful profession. She was Pakistan’s first female Prime Minister. In Zardari’s hands, political power was abused. The marriage was often engulfed in controversy. He was continuously imprisoned whenever his wife lost political power for crimes like as corruption, murder, and money laundering. Until his wife was assassinated, he was unpopular and despised. Her party’s supporters were sympathetic to her husband as a result of the political upheaval, and they believed he could take over as leader of the group. This outpouring of support propelled him into the race for Pakistan’s first democratically elected President. His controversial behavior continued when he entered office, and both old and fresh corruption claims appeared during his administration. His presidency was marred by issues such as government default and rescue from the ‘International Monetary Fund.’ He stated his lack of enthusiasm in continuing his political career once his term as President expired, while he hopes to assist his son in regaining power.
Childhood and Adolescence
He was born in Karachi, Pakistan, on July 26, 1955. His father was a successful entrepreneur, politician, and landowner.
He studied commerce at both Saint Patrick’s School in Karachi and Saint Patrick’s School in London during his early years. Until his spectacular arranged marriage to Benazir Bhutto on December 18, 1987, he had little success in politics.
Asif Ali’s Career
He attempted to start his political career in 1983. He was defeated in his bid for a district council seat in Nawabshah. After his defeat, he decided to take a break from politics and pursue a career in real estate.
His political ambitions were accomplished in 1988 when his wife, Benazir Bhutto, was elected Prime Minister of Pakistan. She was Pakistan’s first female prime minister.
Her rule was brief since she was removed from office in 1990 due to corruption allegations. Her spouse and his allies are thought to have had a significant role in her administration’s demise.
Zardari was arrested in 1990 on charges of kidnapping and extortion, as well as his role in his wife’s administration’s corruption. Both major parties have criticized the pair.
He was periodically released from prison between 1990 and 1993 to attend meetings of the ‘National Assembly.’
In 1993, his wife reclaimed the political authority she needed to help her husband. He was named minister of the environment and federal minister for investment after being freed from prison.
Zardari’s brother-in-law was murdered in 1996 as a consequence of a family conflict. His wife lost power due to corruption allegations the next year. He was charged with murder, money laundering, and corruption after being accused in the murder of his brother-in-law.
He was elected to the Pakistan Senate in 1997 while being in prison at the time. Despite the fact that he was a Senator, he was not released from prison for many years.
He was released on bond in 2004 but was re-arrested several times throughout the year. He opted to depart the nation after being released late in the year to seek medical therapy for psychological suffering in the United States.
His wife garnered enough political clout in 2007 to secure amnesty for her husband for his misdeeds. She was slain in December of that year, and he assumed her political roles.
His political career took off after his wife died, and he took over as leader of the ‘Pakistan People’s Party’ in lieu of his wife. He was elected President of Pakistan on September 6, 2008.
His Major Projects
He became co-chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party in December 2007 and appointed his son as chairman. When the PPP won the subsequent elections, this development had a tremendous impact on his personal political career. The power and dedication of this party to him enabled him to easily win the presidential elections the following year.
Achievements and Awards
He was elected President of Pakistan in 2008. He dealt with economic default, an IMF bailout, the ongoing war in Afghanistan, and the 2010 Pakistan floods throughout his five-year term. He was Pakistan’s first democratically elected president.
He was awarded the ‘Guard of Honor’ in 2013. It was presented to him in recognition of his role as the first democratically elected president.
Personal History and Legacy
On December 18, 1987, he married Benazir Bhutto. His incredible wife went on to become an Islamic country’s first female prime minister. The couple has three children together.
Bilawal, his son, is the current Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party. By restoring power in Pakistan, Zardari aims to assist his son in filling his mother and father’s political shoes.
Estimated Net worth
Pakistani politician Asif Ali Zardari has a net worth of $1.8 billion. Asif Ali Zardari, one of Pakistan’s five wealthiest persons, served as the country’s 11th President from 2008 to 2013.
Trivia
Following his release from prison in 1993, this well-known politician earned the moniker “Mr. 10%” for all of the bribes and kickbacks he allegedly took during his first term as Prime Minister. He was accused of demanding a 10 percent fee for permitting projects to be started or loans to be obtained.