Zardari, Asif Ali (1955-…), became president of Pakistan in March 2024. He had previously served as president from 2008 to 2013. Zardari is the widower of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. He was the first elected president of Pakistan to serve a full term. Others had resigned or been overthrown in military coups.
Zardari was born on July 26, 1955, in Karachi, which at that time was the capital of Pakistan. His father, Hakim Ali Zardari, was active in politics. In 1987, Asif Ali Zardari married Benazir Bhutto, the head of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). Bhutto served as prime minister of Pakistan from 1988 to 1990 and from 1993 to 1996.
Zardari’s political career began in the 1990’s. He served in Pakistan’s National Assembly from 1990 to 1993 and from 1993 to 1996. From 1995 to 1996, he also served as chairman of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Council. In addition, he served as the federal minister for investment in 1996. From 1997 to 1999, he was a member of the Senate.
Critics accused both Zardari and Bhutto of corruption, claiming they had embezzled money from the government and had demanded money in return for government contracts. In 1996, Zardari was imprisoned on charges including corruption. His supporters claimed that the charges against him were politically motivated. From 1999, Bhutto lived in exile. Zardari was released in 2004 and was not convicted of any charges. A legal document issued in 2007 by President Pervez Musharraf dropped charges against Zardari and other politicians.
Bhutto returned to Pakistan in 2007, but she was assassinated on December 27 while campaigning for a third term as prime minister. In February 2008 elections, the PPP won the most seats in the National Assembly. President Musharraf—who had met increased resistance in Parliament after he fired the country’s chief justice—resigned in August after his opponents announced plans to impeach him. On Sept. 6, 2008, Zardari was elected president. He served until Sept. 8, 2013.
Zardari was arrested in 2019 on corruption charges and indicted in 2020. His supporters claimed the charges were again politically motivated. He was not convicted of the charges. On March 9, 2024, Zardari was elected to a second term as president.
