Pakistan's most fabled political dynasty turned a new chapter yesterday as Benazir Bhutto's teenage son was chosen to take over his mother's political party following her assassination last week.
At an emotionally-charged press conference at the Bhutto family home in rural Sindh, Bilawal Zardari (19) vowed to fight for democracy in revenge for his mother's killing.
"My mother always said that democracy is the best revenge," Bilawal, who bears a striking physical resemblance to his mother, said. "The party's long and historic struggle for democracy will continue with a new vigour."
It is understood he will serve as leader of Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) in a symbolic capacity until he completes his studies at Oxford university. His father, Asif Ali Zardari, will run the party in the meantime.
PPP vice-chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim said Ms Bhutto had named her husband as her successor but he had turned it down in favour of his son - a decision the party's executive had approved.
The couple's three children will also change their name to Bhutto, Mr Zardari said.
The move ended days of speculation over who would replace Ms Bhutto at the helm of the PPP, arguably the party that commands most support in Pakistan.
It was greeted with some scepticism by those who resent the personality cult that has grown up around the Bhuttos since the party was founded by Ms Bhutto's father four decades ago.
Bilawal's youth, and the fact he has spent a large part of his life outside Pakistan, has prompted concerns about his suitability to lead the party.
Mr Zardari's role as de facto leader until Bilawal is ready to take over has also caused unease.
Despite being elected to parliament and becoming a minister during his wife's second term as prime minister, Mr Zardari is a highly controversial figure in Pakistan. He spent eight years in jail on charges ranging from corruption to murder, and is widely known in Pakistan as "Mr 10 per cent" after a string of charges against him for taking kickbacks from government contracts while his wife was prime minister.
Defying expectations that the PPP would call for the postponement of elections scheduled for January 8th, Mr Zardari yesterday announced the party would contest the polls. "Today's general would like to run [ from the election]," he said, referring to President Pervez Musharraf. "We would not like to give him that chance."
The move prompted former premier Nawaz Sharif to abandon his own plans to boycott the elections.
It is not yet clear if the vote will go ahead as planned. Pakistan's election commission will convene an emergency meeting today to decide if the elections should be delayed.