Asif Ali Zardari

Asif Ali ZardariTemplate:Efn (born 26 July 1955) is a Pakistani politician who has been the 14th president of Pakistan since 2024. A member of the Pakistan People's Party, he served as the 11th president from 2008 to 2013.He served as executive president from 2008 to 2013 due to 17 amendment to the constitution of Pakistan and co chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/dec/13/zardari-power-pakistan-party-presidency</ref> He is the first Pakistani head of state to be born after the country's independence and the widower of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

The son of Hakim Ali Zardari, a landowner from Sindh, Zardari rose to prominence after his marriage to Benazir Bhutto in 1987, who became the Prime Minister of Pakistan after her election in 1988. When Bhutto's government was dismissed by President Ghulam Ishaq Khan in 1990, Zardari was widely criticized for involvement in corruption scandals that led to its collapse.<ref name="bbcprofileleader">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="leftprison"/> When Bhutto was reelected in 1993, Zardari served as Federal Investment Minister and Chairperson of Pakistan Environmental Protection Council. There were increasing tensions between Bhutto's brother Murtaza and Zardari, and Murtaza was killed by police in Karachi on 20 September 1996.<ref name="auto">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Bhutto's government was dismissed a month later by President Farooq Leghari, and Zardari was arrested and indicted for Murtaza's murder and for corruption.<ref>"Pakistan ex-premier's spouse indicted for murder". The New York Times. 6 July 1997.</ref><ref>Burns, John F (5 November 1996). "Pakistan's Premier Bhutto is put under house arrest". The New York Times</ref>

Although incarcerated, he nominally served in Parliament after being elected to the National Assembly in 1990 and Senate in 1997. He was released from jail in 2004 and went into self-exile to Dubai, but returned when Bhutto was assassinated on 27 December 2007. As the new co-chairman of the PPP, he led his party to victory in the 2008 general elections. He spearheaded a coalition that forced military ruler Pervez Musharraf to resign, and was elected president on 6 September 2008. He was acquitted of various criminal charges the same year.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="auto"/>

As president, Zardari remained a strong American ally in the war in Afghanistan, despite prevalent public disapproval of the United States following the Raymond Davis incident and the NATO attack in Salala in 2011. Domestically, Zardari achieved the passage of the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution in 2010, which constitutionally reduced his presidential powers. His attempt to prevent the reinstatement of Supreme Court judges failed in the face of massive protests led by his political rival Nawaz Sharif. The restored Supreme Court dismissed the PPP's elected Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani for contempt of court in 2012 after Gillani refused to write to the Government of Switzerland to reopen corruption cases against Zardari. Zardari's tenure was also criticised for mishandling nationwide floods in 2010, and growing terrorist violence. Following multiple bombings of Hazaras in Quetta in early 2013, Zardari dismissed his provincial government in Balochistan.

Towards the end of his term, Zardari recorded abysmally low approval ratings, ranging from 11 to 14%.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After the PPP was heavily defeated in the 2013 general election, Zardari became the country's first elected president to complete his constitutional term on 9 September 2013.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His legacy remains divisive, with political observers accusing his administration of corruption and cronyism.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref> However, he became president of Pakistan again in March 2024 due to a coalition agreement which was reached following the 2024 Pakistani general election.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Early life and education

Zardari was born on 26 July 1955 in Karachi, Federal Capital Territory (present-day Sindh) to a prominent Sindhi-Baloch family, and received his upbringing and education in Karachi.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Wilkinson2008">Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref> He belongs to the Zardari family and is the only son of Hakim Ali Zardari, a tribal chief and prominent landowner, and Bilquis Sultana Zardari.<ref name="bbcprofile">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His paternal grandmother was of Iraqi descent,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> while his mother was the granddaughter of Hassan Ali Effendi, a Sindhi educationist with Turkish roots who is known as the founder of the Sindh Madressatul Islam.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

In his youth, he led a polo team known as the Zardari Four<ref name="borger"/> and pracised boxing.<ref name="WSJ0809">Template:Cite news</ref> His father owned Bambino<ref name="eduperlez"/>—a famous cinema in Karachi—and donated movie equipment to his school.<ref name="WSJ0809"/> He appeared in a 1969 movie, Salgira, as a child.<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref>

Academic record and disputed claims

Zardari's academic background remains a question mark.<ref name="WSJ0809" /> He received his primary education from Karachi Grammar School. His official biography says he graduated from Cadet College, Petaro in 1972.<ref name="thepresident">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="WSJ0809" /> He went to St Patrick's High School, Karachi from 1973 to 1974; a school clerk says he failed his final examination there.<ref name="WSJ0809" /> In March 2008, he claimed he had graduated from the London School of Business Studies with a bachelor of education degree in the early 1970s.<ref name="eduperlez" /> Zardari's official biography states he also attended Pedinton School in Britain.<ref name="WSJ0809" /><ref name="eduperlez">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="eduadam" /> His British education, however, has not been confirmed, and a search did not turn up any Pedinton School in London.<ref name="WSJ0809" /><ref name="eduperlez" /><ref name="eduadam" /> The issue of his diploma was contentious because a 2002 rule required candidates for Parliament to hold a college degree,<ref name="eduperlez" /> but the rule was overturned by Pakistan's Supreme Court in April 2008.<ref name="WSJ0809" /><ref name="eduadam">Template:Cite news</ref>

Political career

Early career and Benazir Bhutto era

Zardari's initial political career was unsuccessful. In 1983, he lost an election for a district council seat in Nawabshah, a city of Sindh, where his family owned thousands of acres of farmland.<ref name="WSJ0809"/> He then went into real estate.<ref name="WSJ0809"/>

He married Benazir Bhutto on 18 December 1987.<ref name="durantwed"/><ref name="bride"/> The marriage, which had been arranged, as is customary in Pakistan, was initially described as an unlikely match.<ref name="durantwed"/><ref name="bride"/> The lavish sunset ceremony in Karachi was followed by immense night celebrations that included over 100,000 people.<ref name="durantwed"/><ref name="bride"/> The marriage enhanced Bhutto's political position in a country where older unmarried women are frowned upon.<ref name="durantwed">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="bride">Template:Cite news</ref> Zardari deferred to his wife's wishes by agreeing to stay out of politics.<ref name="bride"/>

In 1988, General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq died when his plane exploded in midair.<ref>Zia of Pakistan Killed as Blast Downs Plane; U.S. Envoy, 28 Others Die Template:Webarchive, The New York Times</ref> A few months later, Bhutto became Pakistan's first female prime minister when her party won 94 of 207 seats contested in the 1988 elections.<ref>Pakistan: Elections held in 1988 Template:Webarchive, Inter-Parliamentary Union</ref>

Involvement in the first Bhutto Administration and first imprisonment

Zardari, Benazir Bhutto, and baby Bilawal in a state visit to Andrews Air Force Base in 1989

He generally stayed out of his wife's first administration, but he and his associates became entangled in corruption cases linked to the government.<ref name="bbcprofileleader"/> He was largely blamed for the collapse of the Bhutto administration.<ref name="leftprison"/>

After the dismissal of Bhutto's government in August 1990,<ref name="spokane"/> Benazir Bhutto and Zardari were prohibited from leaving the country by security forces under the direction of the Pakistan Army.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> During the interim government between August and October, caretaker prime minister Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, a Bhutto rival, initiated investigations of corruption by the Bhutto administration.<ref name="hunt"/> Jatoi accused Zardari of using his wife's political position to charge a ten percent commission for obtaining permission to set up any project or to receive loans.<ref name="hunt">Template:Cite news</ref> He was tagged with the nickname "Mr. Ten Percent".<ref name="WSJ0809"/>

He was arrested on 10 October 1990 on charges relating to kidnapping and extortion.<ref name="spokane">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="husbandarrest"/> The charges alleged an extortion scheme that involved tying a supposed bomb to a British businessman's leg.<ref name="WSJ0809"/> The Bhutto family considered the indictment politically motivated and fabricated.<ref name="husbandarrest">Template:Cite news</ref> In the October 1990 elections, he was elected to the National Assembly while in jail.<ref name="walkout"/> Bhutto and the PPP staged a walkout from the inaugural session of the National Assembly to protest Zardari's incarceration.<ref name="walkout">Template:Cite news</ref> He posted $20,000 bail, but his release was blocked by a government ordinance that removed a court's power to release suspects being tried in the terrorist court, which fast-track trials for alleged terrorists.<ref name="leftprison"/> The ordinance was later revoked and a special court acquitted him of bank fraud and conspiracy to murder political opponents.<ref name="leftprison"/> He was freed in February 1993.<ref name="leftprison">Template:Cite news</ref> In March 1994, Zardari was acquitted of bank fraud charges.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> All other corruption charges relating to Bhutto's first term were dropped or thrown out of the courts.<ref name="nyarrest"/>

On 25 March 1991, the hijackers aboard Singapore Airlines Flight 117 demanded Zardari's release among other demands. The hijackers were killed by Singapore Commandos.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Political involvement in the second Bhutto Administration

In April 1993, he became one of the 18 cabinet ministers in the caretaker government that succeeded Nawaz Sharif's first abridged premiership.<ref name="caretaker">Template:Cite news</ref> The caretaker government lasted until the July elections.<ref name="caretaker"/> After Bhutto's election, he served as her Investment Minister,<ref name="nyarrest"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> chief of the intelligence bureau,<ref name="nyarrest"/> and the head of the Federal Investigation Agency.<ref name="nyarrest"/> In February 1994, Benazir sent Zardari to meet with Saddam Hussein in Iraq to deliver medicine in exchange for three detained Pakistanis arrested on the ambiguous Kuwait-Iraq border.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In April 1994, Zardari denied allegations that he was wielding unregulated influence as a spouse and acting as "de-facto Prime Minister".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In March 1995, he was appointed chairman of the new Environment Protection Council.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="successor">Template:Cite news</ref>

During the beginning of the second Bhutto Administration, a Bhutto family feud between Benazir and her mother, Nusrat Bhutto, surfaced over the political future of Murtaza Bhutto, Nusrat's son and Benazir's younger brother.<ref name="kamm">Template:Cite news</ref> Benazir thanked Zardari for his support.<ref name="kamm"/> In September 1996, Murtaza and seven others died in a shootout with police in Karachi, while the city was undergoing a three-year civil war.<ref name="beaver"/><ref name="nyarrest2"/> At Murtaza's funeral, Nusrat accused Benazir and Zardari of being responsible and vowed to pursue prosecution.<ref name="nyarrest"/><ref name="beaver">Template:Cite news</ref> Ghinwa Bhutto, Murtaza's widow, also accused Zardari of being behind his killing.<ref name="nyarrest"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> President Farooq Leghari, who would dismiss the Bhutto government seven weeks after Murtaza's death, also suspected Benazir and Zardari's involvement.<ref name="nyarrest"/> Several of Pakistan's leading newspapers alleged that Zardari wanted his brother-in-law out of the way because of Murtaza's activities as head of a breakaway faction of the PPP.<ref name="nyarrest"/>

In November 1996, Bhutto's government was dismissed by Leghari primarily because of corruption and Murtaza's death.<ref name="nyarrest"/> Zardari was arrested in Lahore while attempting to flee the country to Dubai.<ref name="nyarrest">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="nyarrest2">Template:Cite news</ref>

Jail and exile

The New York Times report

A major report was published in January 1998 by The New York Times detailing Zardari's vast corruption and misuse of public funds.<ref name="houseofgraft"/> The report discussed $200 million in kickbacks to Zardari and a Pakistani partner for a $4 billion contract with French military contractor Dassault Aviation, in a deal that fell apart only when the Bhutto government was dismissed.<ref name="houseofgraft"/> It contained details of two payments of $5 million each by a gold bullion dealer in return for a monopoly on gold imports.<ref name="houseofgraft"/> It had information from Pakistani investigators that the Bhutto family had allegedly accrued more than $1.5 billion in illicit profits through kickbacks in virtually every sphere of government activity.<ref name="houseofgraft"/> It also reported Zardari's mid-1990s spending spree, which included hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on jewellery.<ref name="houseofgraft"/> The arrangements made by the Bhutto family for their wealth relied on Western property companies, Western lawyers, and a network of Western friends.<ref name="houseofgraft"/> The report described how Zardari had arranged secret contracts, painstaking negotiations, and the dismissal of anyone who objected to his dealings.<ref name="houseofgraft">Template:Cite news</ref>

Citibank, already under fire for its private-banking practices, got into further trouble as a result of the report.<ref name="hiddenmoney"/> Zardari's financial history was one case study in a 1999 U.S. Senate report on vulnerabilities in banking procedures.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Second imprisonment and conviction

In March 1997, Zardari was elected to the Senate while in a Karachi jail.<ref name="brief">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="bhuttofall">Template:Cite news</ref> In December 1997, he was flown to Islamabad under tight security to take his oath.<ref name="brief"/>

In July 1998, he was indicted for corruption in Pakistan after the Swiss government handed over documents to Pakistani authorities relating to money laundering.<ref name="swissdoc">Template:Cite news</ref> The Swiss had also indicted him for money laundering.<ref name="swissdoc"/> At the same time, in a separate case, he and 18 others were indicted for conspiracy to murder Murtaza Bhutto.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After criminal prosecutions began, Citibank closed Zardari's account.<ref name="hiddenmoney">Template:Cite news</ref>

In April 1999, Bhutto and Zardari were convicted for receiving indemnities from a Swiss goods inspection company that was hired to end corruption in the collection of customs duties.<ref name="conviction">Template:Cite news</ref> The couple received a fine of $8.6 million.<ref name="conviction"/><ref name="irish"/> Both were also sentenced to five years imprisonment, but Bhutto could not be extradited back to Pakistan from her self-imposed exile.<ref name="conviction"/><ref name="irish">Template:Cite news</ref> Zardari was already in jail awaiting trial on separate charges.<ref name="conviction"/><ref name="irish"/> The evidence used against them had been gathered by Swiss investigators and the Pakistani Bureau of Accountability.<ref name="conviction"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In May 1999, he was hospitalised after an alleged attempted suicide.<ref name="suicide">Template:Cite news</ref> He claimed it was a murder attempt by the police.<ref name="suicide"/>

In August 2003, a Swiss judge convicted Bhutto and Zardari of money laundering and sentenced them to six months imprisonment and a fine of $50,000.<ref name="briefing"/> In addition, they were required to return $11 million to the Pakistani government.<ref name="briefing">Template:Cite news</ref> The conviction involved charges relating to kickbacks from two Swiss firms in exchange for customs fraud.<ref name="pallister"/> In France, Poland, and Switzerland, the couple faced additional allegations.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In November 2004, he was released on bail by court order.<ref name="internationalbrief"/><ref name="arabnews"/><ref name="rearrestbbc">Template:Cite news</ref> A month later, he was unexpectedly arrested for failing to show up for a hearing on a murder case in Islamabad.<ref name="internationalbrief"/><ref name="arabnews"/><ref name="rearrestbbc"/> He was placed under house arrest in Karachi.<ref name="internationalbrief"/><ref name="rearrestbbc"/> A day later, he was released on $5,000 bail.<ref name="internationalbrief">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="arabnews"/> His release, rearrest, and then release again was regarded as a sign of growing reconciliation between Musharraf's government and the PPP.<ref name="internationalbrief"/><ref name="arabnews">Template:Cite news</ref> After his second release in late 2004, he left for exile in Dubai.<ref name="WSJ0809"/><ref name="bbcapril">Template:Cite news</ref>

Exile and legal problems

He returned to Lahore in April 2005.<ref name="bbcapril"/><ref name="masood">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="fox">Template:Cite news</ref> Police prevented him from holding rallies by escorting him from the airport to his home.<ref name="bbcapril"/><ref name="masood"/><ref name="fox"/> He criticised Pervez Musharraf's government, but rumours of reconciliation between Musharraf and the PPP grew.<ref name="masood"/><ref name="fox"/> Zardari went back to Dubai in May 2005.<ref name="IOL">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="warrantbbc"/>

In June 2005, he had a heart attack and was treated in the United Arab Emirates.<ref name="IOL"/><ref name="warrantbbc"/> A PPP spokesman stated he underwent angioplasty in the United States.<ref name="warrantbbc"/> In September 2005, he did not show up for a Rawalpindi hearing on corruption charges; the court issued an arrest warrant.<ref name="warrantbbc"/> His lawyers stated he could not come because he was recovering from his treatment.<ref name="warrantbbc">Template:Cite news</ref> Following a request by the Rawalpindi court, Interpol issued a red notice in January 2006 against the couple which called on member nations to decide on the couple's extradition.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

When Bhutto announced in September 2007 her upcoming return to Pakistan, her husband was in New York City undergoing medical treatment.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After the October 2007 bombing in Karachi that tainted Bhutto's return, he accused Pakistani intelligence services of being behind the attacks and claimed "it was not done by militants".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="reutersdubai">Template:Cite news</ref> He had not accompanied Bhutto, staying in Dubai with their daughters. Bhutto called for the removal of the chief investigator of the attacks because she claimed he had been involved in Zardari's alleged torture in prison in 1999.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In November 2007, Musharraf instituted emergency rule for six weeks (see Pakistani state of emergency, 2007),<ref name="electionfactbox">Template:Cite news</ref> under the pretext of rising Islamist militancy, a few days after Bhutto's departure for Dubai to meet with Zardari.<ref name="canada"/><ref name="timedeal"/> Immediately after the state of emergency was invoked, Bhutto returned to Pakistan, while Zardari again stayed behind in Dubai.<ref name="canada">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="reuteragain"/> Emergency rule was initiated right before the Supreme Court of Pakistan began deliberations on the legality of Musharraf's U.S.-backed proposal—the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO)—to drop corruption charges against Bhutto and Zardari in return for a joint Bhutto-Musharraf coalition to govern Pakistan.<ref name="canada"/><ref name="timedeal"/> Bhutto and Zardari sympathised with Pervez Musharraf on his feud with the Supreme Court, but simultaneously criticised the imposition of martial law.<ref name="canada"/><ref name="timedeal"/><ref name="reuteragain">Template:Cite news</ref> Before the Supreme Court could issue a decision, Musharraf replaced its members with his supporters.<ref name="canada"/><ref name="timedeal">Template:Cite news</ref>

In the midst of his exile, Zardari had several different legal problems. In Pakistan, Musharraf granted him amnesty for his alleged offences through the National Reconciliation Ordinance, drafted in October 2007.<ref name="pallister"/> However, the ordinance faced mounting public pressure and an uncompromising judiciary.<ref name="pallister"/> In addition, it only dealt with charges up to 1999.<ref name="pallister"/> This left open the possibility of investigations into his alleged involvement in about $2 million in illegal kickbacks to Saddam Hussein, discovered in October 2005, under the oil-for-food program.<ref name="pallister"/> If the ordinance was rescinded, he would have had to deal with charges relating to evading duties on an armoured BMW, commissions from a Polish tractor manufacturer, and a kickback from a gold bullion dealer.<ref name="pallister"/> In Switzerland, Bhutto and Zardari appealed the 2003 Swiss conviction, which required the reopening of the case in October 2007.<ref name="pallister"/> In November 2007, Swiss authorities returned the frozen $60 million to him through offshore companies because of the National Reconciliation Ordinance.<ref name="offshore"/> In Spain, a criminal investigation was opened over the money laundering for the oil-for-food program because of the illicit profits handled through Spanish firms.<ref name="pallister"/> In Britain, he was fighting a civil case against the Pakistani government for the proceeds from the liquidation sale of a Surrey mansion.<ref name="pallister">Template:Cite news</ref> He successfully used his medical diagnosis to postpone a verdict on his British manor trial.<ref name="ft">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="mental">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="nymental">Template:Cite news</ref>

In exile, he shifted between homes in New York, London, and Dubai, where his three children lived.<ref name="WSJ0809"/>

On the night of 27 December 2007, he returned to Pakistan following his wife's assassination.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Co-chairperson of the PPP

Bhutto's assassination and succession

Template:Main Zardari prevented Bhutto's autopsy in accordance with Islamic principles.<ref name="cbsnews"/><ref name="bloomhall"/> He and their children attended her funeral, which was held the next day.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref> He denied government allegations that the assassination was sponsored by Al-Qaida.<ref name="cbsnews">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="walsh">Template:Cite news</ref> He called for an international inquiry into her death and stated that she would still be alive if Musharraf's government had provided adequate protection.<ref name="bloomhall">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="dauphin">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He and his family offered to accept Musharraf's demand to exhume Bhutto's body in exchange for a United Nations inquiry, but Musharraf rejected the proposal.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In Bhutto's political will, she had designated Zardari her successor as party leader.<ref name="cbsnews"/><ref name="walsh"/><ref name="sengupta"/> However, their nineteen-year-old son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, became Chairman of the PPP because Zardari favoured Bilawal to represent Bhutto's legacy, in part to avoid division within the party due to his own unpopularity.<ref name="cbsnews"/><ref name="walsh"/><ref name="nprdeal"/> He did, however, serve as co-chairman of the PPP for at least three years until Bilawal completed his studies overseas.<ref name="cbsnews"/><ref name="sengupta">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="nprdeal">Template:Cite news</ref>

February parliamentary elections and coalition formation

Template:Main Zardari called for no delays to the 8 January parliamentary elections and for the participation of all opposition parties.<ref name="cbsnews"/> Other major political parties quickly agreed to participate, ending any chance of a boycott.<ref name="cbsnews"/><ref name="bloomhall"/> Because of the turmoil after the Bhutto assassination, the elections were postponed six weeks to 18 February.<ref name="bloomhall"/><ref name="mangi"/> In January 2008, he suggested that if his party did win a majority, it might form a coalition with Musharraf's Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q).<ref name="mangi"> Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="gallperlez">Template:Cite news</ref> He and Nawaz Sharif, leader of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) party (PML-N), threatened national protests if any vote-rigging was attempted.<ref name="gallperlez"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He himself could not run for Parliament because he had not filed election papers in November 2008, back when he had no foreseeable political ambition while Bhutto was alive.<ref name="azharan">Template:Cite news</ref>

The PPP and the PML-N won the largest and second largest number of seats respectively in the February elections.<ref name="azharan"/><ref name="bowley"/> He and Sharif agreed to form a coalition government, ending American hopes of a power-sharing deal between him and Musharraf.<ref name="azharan"/><ref name="bowley"/> They agreed to restore the judiciary, but Zardari took a less stringent stance than Sharif.<ref name="bowley"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He met with U.S. ambassador Anne W. Patterson, who pushed for a pact with Musharraf.<ref name="bowley">Template:Cite news</ref> To strengthen the new coalition, he reached out to Awami National Party, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, and Baloch nationalist leaders, who had all boycotted the elections.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="bbc21">Template:Cite news</ref>

After weeks of speculation and party infighting, he said he did not want to become prime minister.<ref name="bbc21"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="nyprime"/> In mid-March 2008, he chose Yousaf Raza Gillani for prime minister in a snub to the more politically powerful Makhdoom Amin Fahim.<ref name="nyprime">Template:Cite news</ref>

2008 coalition government

Template:See also He and Sharif agreed in a 9 March 2008 agreement, known as the Murree Declaration, to the reinstatement by 30 April 2008 of 60 judges previously sacked by Musharraf.<ref name="haider">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="qayum">Template:Cite news</ref> The deadline was later extended to 12 May.<ref name="haider"/> He and Sharif held unsuccessful talks at London in May.<ref name="haider"/><ref name="wpconstable"/> After the coalition failed to restore the judiciary, the PML-N withdrew from the government in mid-May, pulling its ministers out of the cabinet.<ref name="haider"/><ref name="qayum"/><ref name="wpconstable">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="slash"/><ref name="reduce"/> The coalition regrouped, again with the PML-N, and proposed a constitutional amendment that would remove the power of the President to dismiss Parliament.<ref name="qayum"/><ref name="slash">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="reduce">Template:Cite news</ref> By late May, the coalition was set in a confrontation with Musharraf.<ref name="slash"/><ref name="reduce"/> At the same time, the government was successful in getting Pakistan readmitted to the Commonwealth.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

He and Sharif met in Lahore in June 2008 to discuss Musharraf's removal and the constitutional amendments, which the PML-N viewed as not going far enough to fulfill the Murree declaration.<ref name="qayum"/><ref name="reutersca"/> He opposed impeachment calls because he claimed the coalition did not have the two-thirds majority in both legislative bodies—National Assembly and Senate.<ref name="qayum"/><ref name="reutersca">Template:Cite news</ref> He was unwilling to restore the judiciary as divisions in the coalition grew and popular sentiment shifted towards Sharif.<ref name="usat">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="gdn">Template:Cite news</ref> The coalition criticised the government for barring Sharif from competing in the June by-elections.<ref name="usat"/><ref name="gdn"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Because of the impasses over Musharraf and the judiciary, the coalition could not address rising food shortages and spiraling inflation, which was the highest in 30 years.<ref name="qayum"/>

In August 2008, Zardari relented, and the coalition agreed to proceed full speed towards Musharraf's impeachment by drafting a charge-sheet against him.<ref name="timew"/><ref name="impeach1"/> The coalition charged him with high treason for the 1999 coup and the imposition of martial law.<ref name="timew">Template:Cite news</ref> He warned Musharraf against dismissing Parliament, and the coalition selected Gillani instead of Musharraf to represent Pakistan at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.<ref name="impeach1">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 18 August, Musharraf resigned in order to avoid impeachment.<ref name="immunity"/><ref name="economistexit"/><ref name="akbloom"/><ref name="indiankam"/> Although Zardari favoured granting Musharraf immunity from prosecution, the coalition could not agree on a decision.<ref name="immunity">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="economistexit">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="indiankam"/> The coalition also could not reach a united stance on the future of the judiciary.<ref name="immunity"/><ref name="economistexit"/><ref name="akbloom">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="indiankam">Template:Cite news</ref>

Rise to presidency

Template:Main Presidential elections were held within three weeks after the departure of Musharraf.<ref name="zardarip1">Template:Cite news</ref> Zardari vowed to pursue an unpopular campaign against tribal militancy in Pakistan and had the support of the United States.<ref name="zardarip1"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He claimed he had a London business school degree to satisfy a prerequisite for the presidency, but his party did not produce a certificate.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was endorsed by the PPP and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) for the presidency.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The PML-N nominated former justice Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui, while the PML-Q put forth Mushahid Hussain Sayed.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="cnnprez">Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref> Zardari won a majority in the Electoral College with 481 of 702 votes.Template:Efn<ref name="zardarip1"/><ref name="cnnprez"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was elected president on 6 September 2008.Template:Efn<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

First presidency (2008–2013)

Initial days

At the inauguration on 9 September 2008, Afghan President Hamid Karzai was a guest of honour, which was a signal for much closer cooperation between the two nations in addressing the tribal insurgency along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After the election, Zardari promised to approve the constitutional provision that removed the President's power to dismiss Parliament, but public scepticism remained on whether he would actually carry out his promise.<ref name="zardarip1" /> His economic competence was questioned after allegations that he had raised grain procurement prices through inflationary subsidies and scrapped the capital gains tax.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His first parliamentary speech was overshadowed by 20 September Islamabad Marriott Hotel bombing.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A few days later, he went to the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on his first overseas trip as president.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Zardari and Bush meeting in 2008.

Zardari with Emomali Rahmon, Dmitry Medvedev and Hamid Karzai

United Nations visit

Template:See also From 23 to 26 September 2008, he met with various foreign leaders, including U.S. President George W. Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He suffered political embarrassment by flirting with U.S. vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and making tongue-in-cheek comments about her.<ref name="palin1">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="palin2">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="palin3">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Although, at the United Nations General Assembly, he publicly condemned U.S drone attacks in Pakistan,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Washington Post reported that he had signed a "secret deal" when he met with senior American officials that arranged for the coordination of Predator strikes and a jointly approved list of prominent targets.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh agreed to resume peace talks by the end of 2008.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Economic crises

Template:See also From 14 to 17 October 2008, he was in China<ref name="cd"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> to negotiate foreign aid, as Pakistan faced the possibility of defaulting on its payments.<ref name="cr">Template:Cite news</ref> China refused to offer any aid commitments, but instead promised to provide assistance in the development of two nuclear power plants and more future business investments.<ref name="cd">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="cr"/>

After Saudi Arabia, Britain, China, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates refused to provide any bailout,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> he officially asked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for assistance in solving Pakistan's balance of payments problem on 22 October.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

He went to Saudi Arabia from 4 to 6 November in hopes of obtaining financial aid and securing trade agreements.<ref> Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, leaked cables revealed increasingly strained relations between Zardari and Saudi royalty, primarily because of Saudi distrust of Zardari and preference for Sharif.<ref name="saudileak1"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="saudileaks2"/> Weaker cooperation led to decreased oil subsidies as part of a broader Saudi policy of withholding monetary assistance.<ref name="saudileak1">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="saudileaks2">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

In mid-November 2008, Zardari's government officially sent a letter of intent to the IMF regarding a bailout to help increase its foreign exchange reserves.<ref name="bloom1108">Template:Cite news</ref> In a $11.3 billion multi-year loan package, Pakistan received a $7.4 billion loan for 2008–10.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="greco">Template:Cite news</ref> The IMF stipulated stringent reform conditions, which included rebuilding the tax structure and privatising state enterprises.<ref name="greco"/> The World Bank and Asian Development Bank withheld a combined $3 billion aid in the 2010–11 fiscal year and the IMF withheld since May 2010 the last segment of its aid package.<ref name="greco"/>

In January 2011, the MQM withdrew from the government.<ref name="tomw">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Zardari's ruling coalition averted a government collapse by accepting the opposition's economic proposals, which restored gas subsidies and abandoned many of the IMF's suggested reforms.Template:Efn<ref name="tomw"/>

In an effort to curb government expenditures, Zardari swore in an "austerity cabinet" in February 2011 which reduced the cabinet from 60 ministers to 22.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Asif Zardari is famously known as "Mr. Ten (10) percent" in the Pakistan's political landscape, as he is alleged to demand 10% as kickbacks for the government contracts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Foreign policy

Relationship with India

File:The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh with the President of Pakistan ,Mr.Asif Ali Zardari during his visit to the United States, in New York on September 24, 2008 (1).jpg

Zardari embraces Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the United Nations General Assembly summit in New York City, September 2008

In early October 2008, he received fierce domestic criticism for repeatedly calling Kashmiri nationalists (see Kashmir conflict) in India "terrorists".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In mid-November 2008, he suggested Pakistan was ready for a no-first-use nuclear policy and called for closer economic ties.<ref name="bloom1108"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The relationship between the two nations was damaged by the November 2008 Mumbai attacks. He initially denied any links between the perpetrators and Pakistan,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> but the government soon pursued military action against Lashkar-e-Taiba leaders in a 7 December raid.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref> Template:Cite news</ref> India cleared Zardari's government of any direct involvement in the attacks, but simultaneously demanded the extradition of 20 Pakistanis which it alleged had taken part in them.<ref name="ecoisi">Template:Cite news</ref> Zardari offered to send Inter-Services Intelligence Director-General Ahmed Shuja Pasha to assist in the investigation.<ref name="ecoisi"/>

In June 2009, Zardari met Singh for the first time since the Mumbai attacks at a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Yekaterinburg, Russia.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On 8 April 2012, President Zardari, along with his son Bilawal Zardari Bhutto, visited Dargah Sharif in Ajmer, India on a private visit. He also met with the Indian prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

File:Joe Biden Zardari meeting.jpg

Vice President-Elect Joe Biden meets Zardari in January 2009

War in Afghanistan

Template:See also The government has had a longstanding conflict in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistani regions bordering Afghanistan. Diplomatic relations with Afghan President Hamid Karzai improved after Musharraf's departure and Zardari's rise to power.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Obama administration's AfPak policy, through AfPak envoy Richard Holbrooke, reflected the unified approach the United States took in dealing with Afghanistan and Pakistan.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In his first visit to Afghanistan as president in early January 2009, Zardari promised a renewed relationship to improve cooperation.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In late March, Obama announced a civilian aid package of $7.5 billion over five years in return for cooperation in the AfPak conflict.<ref name="concession"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In late April, British prime minister Gordon Brown visited Zardari and promised $1 billion over the next four years.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In May, Obama held a trilateral summit in Washington D.C., with Karzai and Zardari, where they discussed further cooperation.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> At Brussels in mid-June, Zardari unsuccessfully sought trade concessions from the European Union; it instead pledged $90 million development aid to curtail tribal influence by insurgents.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After the U.S. Congress passed Obama's civilian aid package in October,<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> army generals in the Pakistani military establishment widened the growing rift with Zardari's government and openly criticised U.S. interference.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

File:Barack Obama with Afghan President Karzai, Pakistan President Zardari and Joe Biden.jpg

Hamid Karzai, Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Zardari after the Afghanistan-U.S.-Pakistan trilateral meeting in May 2009

In February 2009, FATA's provincial government officially declared Islamic law in Swat to achieve a ceasefire with the northwestern Pashtun tribes.<ref name="digest">Template:Cite news</ref> Because the United States and Britain opposed the measure,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Zardari did not sign the Swat ceasefire until mid-April, when domestic pressure from Parliament mounted.<ref name="digest"/> By the end of April, the agreement collapsed as the Pakistani military pursued an unpopular offensive in the neighbouring Dir district.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="bare_url">Template:Cite news</ref>

In September 2010, Zardari and Karzai met in Islamabad and both advocated fighting insurgents rather than trying to end the war with diplomacy.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Zardari went to the United States in January 2011 to attend Special Envoy Holbrooke's funeral.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Following Osama bin Laden's death in a compound in Abbottabad in May 2011, Obama called Zardari and collaborated on the events.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Reinstatement of the judiciary

File:Zardari and Hillary clinton.jpg

Zardari meets Hillary Clinton in May 2009

In February 2009, Zardari and the Musharraf-appointed Supreme Court attempted to disqualify Nawaz Sharif from running in any elections<ref> Template:Cite news</ref> and tried to force his brother Shahbaz Sharif to resign as Chief Minister of Punjab province.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Zardari dismissed the Punjab provincial government<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and only partially reinstated the judiciary by restoring 56 other judges deposed by Musharraf—but not their former leader, Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After Nawaz Sharif defied house arrest and rallied with thousands of his supporters,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> the Sharif brothers vowed to join forces with the Lawyers' Movement in the "Long March".<ref name="camenorton">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Zardari's government gave in to popular pressure<ref name="camenorton"/> and Prime Minister Gilani in an early morning speech on 16 March 2009 promised to reinstate Chaudhry by 21 March.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Ten judges were reinstated on 16 March, and Chaudry assumed his position on 22 March.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="tighe"/> Zardari's month-long direct control of the Punjab ended on 30 March.<ref name="concession">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="tighe">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Nizam-e-Adl Regulation

In April 2009, President Asif Ali Zardari signed the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation into law. The regulation formally established Sharia law in the Malakand division.<ref>President signs Nizam-e-Adl Regulation: Presidency Template:Webarchive. GEO.tv (13 April 2009). Retrieved 12 July 2013.</ref>

Reduction of presidential powers

Template:See also In late November 2009, Zardari ceded to Prime Minister Gillani the chairmanship of the National Command Authority, Pakistan's nuclear arsenal oversight agency.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In December 2009, the Supreme Court ruled that the National Reconciliation Ordinance amnesty was unconstitutional, which cleared the way for the revival of corruption cases against Zardari.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Although Zardari had immunity from prosecution because he was president,<ref name="offshore">Template:Cite news</ref> the end of NRO and his earlier corruption cases challenged the legality of his presidency.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Calls for his resignation escalated.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Zardari, who rarely left the Aiwan-e-Sadr presidential palace,<ref name="floodA">Template:Cite news</ref> responded with a nationwide spurt of speeches in January 2011.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In January 2010, the Supreme Court ordered Pakistan's government to reopen Zardari's corruption charges in Switzerland.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, Zardari prevented the MQM-leaning Attorney General, Anwar Mansoor, from filing charges,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> so Mansoor resigned in protest in early April.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> That same month, Zardari won a key victory against the judiciary over his corruption trials when Geneva Attorney General Daniel Zappelli stated that Zardari can not be prosecuted under international laws because of his presidential immunity.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref> Template:Cite news</ref> Zardari was supported by Prime Minister Gilani, who defied the Supreme Court order.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In February 2010, Zardari sparked a standoff by attempting to appoint a Supreme Court candidate without the court's approval,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> but the confrontation ended after he backed down and nominated a candidate acceptable by the court.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In April 2010, after months of political pressure, the government passed the 18th Amendment, which reduced the President to a ceremonial figurehead by stripping the office of the power to dissolve Parliament, to dismiss the Prime Minister, and to appoint military chiefs.<ref name="csmz">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="mohsinz">Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref name="powerkamran"/> The amendment also lifted the restriction of two terms as prime minister, which enabled Zardari's foremost political rival, Nawaz Sharif, to seek a third term.<ref name="csmz"/><ref name="mohsinz"/><ref name="larod"/> The amendment was passed with virtually unanimous support in Parliament<ref name="powerkamran">Template:Cite news</ref> and Zardari himself espoused the legislation because of political pressure.<ref name="mohsinz"/><ref name="larod">Template:Cite news</ref> After the 18th Amendment, Zardari's main power derived from his position as leader of the PPP, which controls the largest bloc in Parliament.<ref name="csmz"/><ref name="mohsinz"/>

In late September 2010, the Supreme Court considered removing presidential immunity.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In October, Chief Justice Chaudry met with his colleagues to discuss troubling media rumours that Zardari's government was planning to fire them; Chaudry requested government assurance that the stories were unfounded.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In early January 2011, Zardari signed the 19th Amendment, which lessened the likelihood of future clashes between the President and the judiciary by strengthening the power of the Chief Justice in deciding judicial appointments.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In March 2011, Zardari delivered his annual parliamentary address to a half-empty chamber because of an opposition walkout.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In November 2012, the Pakistan government in response to the court orders, finally wrote to the Swiss authorities seeking to reopen the corruption cases against Zardari.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Swiss government responded by saying that the corruption cases being time-barred cannot be reopened.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2010 Pakistan floods and Europe tour

The 2010 Pakistan floods began in late July with rain in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and soon submerged a fifth of Pakistan and affected 20 million people, resulting in one of the nation's largest natural catastrophes. Simultaneously, British prime minister David Cameron sparked a serious diplomatic row with Pakistan during his visit to India<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> by stating that elements within Pakistan were promoting the "export of terror" a week before a planned visit by Zardari to Britain.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="telecame"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Zardari ignored domestic pressure<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and began his European trip in Paris on 1 August, meeting French President Sarkozy.<ref name="telecame">Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In France, he drew a rebuke from the U.S. after stating that NATO had "lost the battle for hearts and minds" in the Afghan war.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> As the flood's devastation became increasingly evident, he was widely criticised for flying in a helicopter to his Normandy chateau<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="floodshah">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="floodeco">Template:Cite news</ref> and dining at Cameron's Chequers countryside home.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Protests within Britain, mainly among the British Pakistani community, grew against his visit.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The widely expected maiden speech by his son Bilawal was cancelled,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> as Zardari faced criticism for using the trip to advance Bilawal's political aspirations.<ref name="pelted">Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

Zardari returned to Pakistan on 10 August.<ref name="marktran1">Template:Cite news</ref> He first visit to an area affected by the flooding was in Sukkur on 12 August.<ref name="marktran1"/> He cancelled the 14 August Independence Day celebrations and instead visited Naushera.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref> He flew over devastated areas with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on 15 August.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He left the country on 18 August and attended the four-way Russian summit at Sochi, which included Tajikistan and Afghanistan.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 19 August, he visited Jampur with U.S. Senator John Kerry.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He ordered local authorities to concentrate efforts to save Shahdadkot from inundation on 24 August.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

2011 Dubai hospitalisation

In early December 2011 Zardari flew to Dubai undergoing medical tests and treatment, reportedly for a "small stroke".<ref name=burke>Template:Cite news</ref> According to the prime minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani, Zardari sought medical treatment outside of Pakistan because of "threats to his life".<ref name=telegraph>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref> He finds himself currently in the midst of the "Memogate" controversy.<ref name= telegraph/> Zardari left the hospital on 14 December to recuperate at the Persian Gulf, while his son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party, assumed a more prominent role in Pakistan.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> By 19 December, Zardari had returned to Pakistan.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

China–Pakistan Economic Corridor

Pakistan and China on 22 May 2013 signed several agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) that mainly included the long-term China–Pakistan Economic Corridor plan, maritime cooperation and satellite navigation. President Zardari and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang witnessed the signing ceremony as the representatives of the two countries inked the documents at a ceremony held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr. The visit of Premier Keqiang marked the signing of important documents aimed at long-term cooperation between the two countries in multiple areas.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Completion of first presidential tenure

Zardari completed his five-year term on 8 September 2013,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> becoming the first democratically elected president in the 66-year-long history of Pakistan to complete his tenure. He received a guard of honour while leaving the Aiwan-e-Sadr.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was succeeded by Mamnoon Hussain as president.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Between presidential terms

He became active in the PPP, which he voted to revamp, after his presidency.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He succeeded Ameen Faheem as chairman of PPPP in 2015.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In December 2016, he announced that both he and his son Bilawal, would contest the 2018 general election.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In July 2017, during the investigation of the Panama Papers case, Zardari demanded Nawaz Sharif's resignation.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In August 2017, Pakistan's anti-corruption court acquitted him from his last pending case in which he was accused along with his late wife, Benazir Bhutto, of laundering illegal kickbacks and maintaining assets beyond known sources of income. The case had dogged him for 19 years.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His rival Imran Khan believed that Zardari's acquittal was the result of a deal between the PML-N and PPP. However he denied any kind of collaboration.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The National Accountability Bureau also challenged the acquittal.<ref>'Tremendous evidence available': NAB files appeal against Zardari's acquittal in assets case Template:Webarchive Dawn</ref> On 2 September, after his wife's murder case verdict, which declared Pervez Musharraf a fugitive and convicted two senior police officers, he said that he was not satisfied with the verdict and that he would appeal the judgment as it had acquitted five Pakistani Taliban suspects.<ref>Will appeal against Benazir Bhutto murder case verdict, says Asif Ali Zardari India TV</ref> In 2019, he was arrested in Islamabad over a money laundering case.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> An anti-graft court issued an indictment of Zardari on corruption charges on 10 August 2020.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Second presidency (2024–present)

File:Aga Khan Pakistan.jpg

Zardari conferring the Nishan-e-Pakistan upon Prince Rahim Aga Khan, July 2024

On 3 March 2024, the speaker of the national assembly confirmed that parliament would meet on 9 March 2024 to elect a new president of Pakistan, which Zardari won with 411 votes from the national and provincial assemblies against Mahmood Khan Achakzai.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was elected as president on 9 March 2024 by securing 411 electoral votes against his opponent, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, who secured 181 electoral votes.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He was sworn in as the 14th president of Pakistan on 10 March 2024,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the first civilian to be elected as President for a second non-consecutive term. Omar Ayub Khan, the PTI opposition leader in the national assembly, described Zardari as "illegal."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> PTI spokesperson Raoof Hasan described his election "unconstitutional and unacceptable."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In an effort to encourage wiser financial management in Pakistan amidst an economic crisis, Zardari chose to forgo a presidential salary.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In April 2024, Zardari addressed a joint session of parliament and urged political reconciliation, suggesting a "political reset" and a new era of dialogue and cooperation amongst Pakistan's political leadership and opposition.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

File:Sardar Yaqoob Khan Meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari.jpg

Zardari meeting with MNA Sardar Yaqoob Nasar, May 2024

In May 2024, Zardari worked to end protests in Azad Kashmir led by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC). The JKJAAC issued a list of demands to the federal government including a reduction wheat and electricity prices. Zardari opened negotiations with JKAAC leadership and ordered the demobilization of the Pakistan Rangers in Azad Kashmir as a de-escalatory measure.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As a result of a series of talks between the JKJAAC and both the federal and Azad Kashmir governments, the protests were concluded with a government subsidisation of wheat and electricity, as well as the issuance of a Rs23 billion grant to Azad Kashmir.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

File:State reception on behalf of President of Pakistan was hosted in honor of President of Azerbaijan.jpg

Zardari with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during the former's visit to Pakistan, 2024

In July 2024, Zardari put into effect the Christian Marriage Amendment Act, which amended the Christian Marriage Act of 1872 by raising the minimum age of marriage for Pakistani Christians from 16 and 13 for men and women, respectively, to 18 for both men and women.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in June 2025, Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to eradicate drug abuse. He praised the efforts of the Anti-Narcotics Force in quelling the drug trade in Pakistan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In February 2025, Zardari embarked on a five-day state visit of China and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. During his visit, Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan's committtment to the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and condemned attacks on Chinese workers, stating that China and Pakistan will always be "all-weather friends."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Zardari condemned Israeli strikes on Iran during the Iran–Israel war.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In July 2025, Zardari conferred the Nishan-e-Imtiaz to U.S. General Michael Kurilla, commander of the United States Central Command, in recognition of his efforts to strengthen the bilateral military relations between the United States and Pakistan, and his efforts to promote regional stability in South Asia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Personal life

Family

Zardari and Benazir Bhutto had one son and two daughters. His son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, is the current Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party. His older daughter, Bakhtawar, was born on 25 January 1990,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and his younger daughter, Aseefa, was born on 3 February 1993.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After Benazir Bhutto's death, his sister Faryal Talpur became the guardian of his children<ref name="Wilkinson2008"/> and he changed Bilawal Zardari's name to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

His mother died in November 2002, during his detention in jail.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His father Hakim Ali Zardari died in May 2011.<ref name="gulfchief">Template:Cite news</ref> After that he became the chieftain of the Zardari tribe. However, initially he had decided not to assume leadership and wanted to pass the position to his son Bilawal.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="gulfchief"/>

Spirituality

Zardari is known to seek the advice of "soothsayers and healers", especially during times of political troubles. He has visited Prof. Ahmad Rafique Akhtar, a well-known Sufi scholar based in Gujar Khan who often counsels government officials and military leaders. During his presidency, he would consult with his then spiritual leader, Pir Mohammad Ejaz, about such matters as travel times and animals were sacrificed during particularly trying periods.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Health

His mental health has been a subject of controversy.<ref name="ft"/><ref name="mental"/> He has repeatedly claimed he was tortured while in prison.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was diagnosed with dementia, major depressive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder from 2005 to 2007, which helped influence the verdict of one of his corruption trials.<ref name="ft"/><ref name="mental"/><ref name="nymental"/> He now claims he is completely healthy, with only high blood pressure and diabetes.<ref name="ft"/><ref name="mental"/>

In April 2025, Zardari was hospitalised in Karachi for a few days after contracting COVID-19.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Wealth

In 2005, Daily Pakistan reported he was the second richest man in Pakistan, with an estimated net worth of $1.8 billion.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He amassed great wealth while his wife was prime minister.<ref name="nyarrest"/> In 2007, he received US$60 million into his Swiss bank account through offshore companies under his name.<ref name="offshore"/> He was reported to have estates in Surrey, West End of London, Manhattan (a condominium in Belaire Apartments), and Dubai,<ref name="borger">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="nyarrest"/> and a 16th-century chateau in Normandy.<ref name="floodshah"/> In Britain, he used a common legal device, the purchase of property through nominees with no family link to the Bhuttos.<ref name="nyarrest"/> His homes in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad are called Bilawal House I,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Bilawal House II,<ref name="noreturn">Template:Cite news</ref> and Zardari House<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> respectively.

Surrey estate

He bought a 365-acre (148-hectare) 20-bedroom luxury estate in Rockwood, Surrey in 1995 through a chain of firms, trusts, and offshore companies in 1994.<ref name="Wilkinson2008"/><ref name="conviction"/><ref name="pallister"/><ref name="surrey"/><ref name="hopkins"/> The country home's refurbishment abruptly ended in October 1996, shortly before the end of his wife's second term.<ref name="hopkins"/> He initially denied for eight years that he owned the property, and the bills for the work on the unoccupied mansion were not paid.<ref name="pallister"/><ref name="surrey"/> Creditors forced a liquidation sale in 2004, and the Pakistani government claimed the proceeds because the home had been bought with money obtained through corruption.<ref name="pallister"/> However, he stepped in to claim that he actually was the beneficial owner.<ref name="borger"/> Template:As of, the proceeds were in a liquidator bank account while a civil case continued.<ref name="pallister"/>

The estate includes two farms, lodgings, staff accommodation, and a basement made into an imitation of a local pub.<ref name="Wilkinson2008"/><ref name="surrey">Template:Cite news</ref> The manor has nine bedrooms and an indoor swimming pool.<ref name="hopkins">Template:Cite news</ref>

He had sent large shipments from Karachi in the 1990s for the refurbishment of Surrey Palace.<ref name="pallister"/> He has faced allegations from various people, including the daughter of Laila Shahzada,<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref> that he acquired stolen art to decorate the palace.<ref name="hopkins"/> He earlier had plans for a helipad, a nine-hole golf course, and a polo pony paddock.<ref name="pallister"/>

Bibliography

Books about Asif Ali Zardari include:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Urdu

• Akram Shaikh, Āṣif ʻAlī Zardārī Kā Muqaddamah, Masāvāt Publications: 1998, 240 p.
• Collective, Qalam Kī Shahādat Āsif ʻAlī Zardārī Ke Bāre Men̲ Ahl-i Qalam Kī Taḥrīren̲, Fiction House: 2004, 208 p.
• Sayyid Sartāj Ḥusain, Asīr-i Zindān Aur Pākistān, Jumhoori Publications: 2007, 202 p.
• Murtaz̤á Anjum, Āṣif ʻAlī Zardārī: Jumhūrīyat Aur Mafāhamatī Siyāsat Ke ʻAlambardār, You Publishers: 2008, 208 p.
• Aḥmad Dāʼūd, Āṣif ʻAlī Zardārī: Mudabir Aur Zerak Siyāsatdān, Nai Roshni Publications: 2009, 380 p.
• Aṣg̲h̲ar ʻAlī Joʼiyah, Jel Se Aivān-i Sadr Tak, Jidd O Jahd Kā Safar Āṣif ʻAlī Zardārī Ke Kh̲ayālāt, Inkishāfāt, Iḥsāsāt, Dosti Publications: 2010, 187 p.
• Jāved Aḥmad Shāh, Āṣif ʻAlī Zardārī Shak̲h̲ṣiyat Va Siyāsat, Book Home: 2015, 176 p.

Sindhi

• Sattāru Rindu, Āṣif ʻAlī Zardārī: Qaidu Khān Qiyādata Tāʼīn, The Creators: 2008, 202 p.
• Mohan Laʻalu Mālhī, Āṣifu ʻAlī Zardārī, Pīpalz Pārṭī Ain Pākistān, Asha Publisher: 2010, 151 p.

English

• Shahid Hussain Vistro, Asif: Bhutto's Descendant & Desire, 2008, 88 p.
• Sagar Samejo, Pakistan Khappay: Asif, An Other Hope, Al-Hamd Publications: 2009, 380 p.

See also

• Singapore Airlines Flight 117, the hijackers demanded Zardari's release

External links

• Template:C-SPAN
• Template:Charlie Rose view

Works

• President Zardari's 2008 address to the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly
• The Terrorists Want to Destroy Pakistan, Too
• Partnership With Pakistan
• Pakistan Is Steadfast Against Terror
• "Democracy Is the Greatest Revenge"
• Pakistan's Project of Renewal
• Pakistan Did Its Part

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