Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will be the new chief of the Zardari tribe, after his father President Asif Ali Zardari decided to forego the title, an official said.
According to tribal tradition, after the death of the chief, his eldest son takes over as head of the tribe. The transition to the new leadership is formalised in a customary gathering of the tribal elders that is held after the third day of prayers for the departed soul, said PPP spokesperson Farhatullah Babar.After the death of tribe chief Hakim Ali Zardari, his son Asif Ali Zardari automatically became the leader. However, the Pakistani president decided not to become the chief and pass on the ceremonial title to his son Bilawal, Online news agency reported.
The formal ceremony to herald Bilawal as the chief has, however, been put off till the overall conditions in the country are more "conducive" and the holding of such tribal ceremonies "do not appear insensitive", Babar said. IANS
