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Saturday, May 28, 2011
Bilawal to be new chief of Zardari tribe
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari, who is also the co-chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), has decided to forego the title of chief of the Zardari tribe and pass on the mantle of the tribal leadership to his son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Spokesperson to the president, Farhatullah Babar, said this while talking to the media. He said that according to tribal traditions, consequent upon the death of the tribal chief his eldest son takes over as head of the tribe. The transition to new tribal leadership is formalised in a customary gathering of the tribal elders called ‘Dastar Bandi’ that is held on or soon after the Soyem. He said that according to this tradition, after the death of the chief of the Zardari tribe, Hakim Ali Zardari, his son President Asif Ali Zardari had become the chief of the tribe. However, Zardari had decided to pass on the largely ceremonial title to his son and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Babar added. The formal ceremony of ‘Dastar Bandi’ to herald Bilawal as the tribal chief has, however, been put off until the overall conditions in the country are more conducive and the holding of such tribal ceremonies do not appear insensitive, he said. staff report
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk