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Bhutto's party to take part in poll
AP, NAUDERO, PAKISTAN
Monday, Dec 31, 2007, Page 1
Benazir Bhutto's 19-year old son was chosen yesterday to succeed her as chairman of her opposition party, while her husband will serve as co-chairman, extending Pakistan's most famous political dynasty to a third generation, party officials said.
The party also agreed to contest upcoming elections, apparently ending the threat of a wholesale boycott by Pakistan's political opposition as the key US-ally in its war on terror struggles to transition to full democracy after years of military rule.
The decisions were made at a closed-door meeting of the Pakistan Peoples Party central executive committee, three days after the two-time former prime minister was assassinated in a suicide attack, two party officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose the information.
It catapults Bilawal Zardari, an Oxford University student with no experience in politics, to the center of Pakistan's tumultuous public life.
Bhutto's husband Asif Ali Zardari, 51, is a key powerbroker in the party who served as environment minister in her second government.
A formal announcement was expected shortly.
Also see: ANALYSIS: Is Pakistan turning into next Iraq?
Also see: What hope for Pakistan after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto?
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