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This is an archive article published on March 18, 2009

Zardari may face fresh trouble,this time from family

Pak Prez Asif Ali Zardari's ordeals appear far from over despite easing of the political crisis in the country.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari’s ordeals appear far from over despite easing of the political crisis after the restoration of the deposed judges as he may now face the music from his own family.

International interviewer Daphne Barak,who was close to slain former premier Benazir Bhutto,has done an exclusive report on the “chaos in Pakistan” with Benazir’s sister Sanam Bhutto talking about “how much support the Bhuttos are giving,these days,to Benazir’s widower,President Asif Ali Zardari?,” says a post on her website.

Though details of the interview have not been posted on Barak’s website,a media report suggested Zardari may face another crisis of credibility -¿ this time from his own family members.

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“Even the chairman of PPP,Bilawal Zardari,at this young age,may have to come in public and support his beloved aunt Sanam Bhutto against his father’s claims of material and political inheritance of his (late) mother Benazir Bhutto,” The News daily reported while quoting sources close to Barak.

Sanam Bhutto spoke about her brother-in-law during the last weekend. Though the contents of the interview have not been revealed,a source close to Barak said: “Zardari,who was elected using his late wife’s legacy and the Bhutto family,would be embarrassed by Sanam Bhutto’s cold and determined disclosures.”

“The bold and sometimes angry remarks of Sanam Bhutto may create such controversy that Bilawal Bhutto,at this young age,may have to take his own stand in this dispute. Very likely,he will support his favourite aunt Sanam Bhutto against his father,with whom he is already at odds on certain issues after her mother’s death,” the report claimed.

Sanam is believed to have told Barak that her father,mother and brothers suffered and made sacrifices for the Pakistan People’s Party and Zardari had “usurped” everything.

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She has also reportedly said that Zardari has made the PPP unpopular through his acts,by purging loyalists and politically seasoned elements and by “betraying the pledges and goals defined by Benazir Bhutto”.

In addition to the Bhutto political legacy,some financial issues are also a cause of friction,The News reported. Sanam is acting as the watchdog of the interests of Benazir’s children — Bilawal,Bakhtawar and Assefa — and is concerned that “other members of Zardari family are working to derive benefits”.

Sanam does not want to see Bilawal’s studies disturbed or the welfare of the three children compromised.

Barak is expected to be one of the first witnesses before the UN Commission to investigate the murder of Benazir. She has already been invited by UN officials to help the commission and has provided all her notes and recordings of Benazir to its chairperson.

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