Bilawal Bhutto Zardari made his formal entry into politics on Saturday. It is going to be an eventful career, given that he has very high expectations to fulfil simply by being a Bhutto.
The timing of Bilawal’s entry is significant. Pakistan is at a crossroads on multiple fronts. The democratically elected government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is under threat of being toppled; the state is fighting to eliminate extremism; the economy is sliding and the army, which has an appetite for staging coups, is waiting on the sidelines to have its say on issues of governance.
So, in the midst of these scenarios, the Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) decision to launch Bilawal into the deep end is significant, given that should elections take place, he should be able to revive his party’s fortunes and find traction with the masses.
Expectations will be high. Bilawal will have to navigate through burning domestic issues with caution. He will be expected to display persuasive political skills and ensure that the important pillars of administration are satisfied with the PPP’s pitch for a better future. Symbolism with a family name can only count for so much in the face of a nation’s expectations.
