Embezzling Pakistan's Presidency: Pakistan's Asif Ali Zardari, husband of the late Benazir Bhutto, was known as "Mr. Ten Percent" for his long trail of kickbacks and corruption. Now he's in line to be Pakistan's next president. (John Moore/Getty Images).
In his youth as the son of a rich landowner, Pakistan's Asif Ali Zardari was known as a polo-playing playboy who had his own disco built on his father's property. After wedding Benazir Bhutto in an arranged marriage, his illustriously corrupt career began: He was charged with the attempted murder of a British developer, on whose leg he and an accomplice were accused to have strapped a remote-controlled bomb before sending the guy into a bank to force him to withdraw $800,000.
Zardari was imprisoned for almost three years then released in time to become an investment minister in his wife's cabinet, a post Bhutto created just for him, and a post both used to immense personal profit. Among the spoils: An $8 million, 355-acre estate in Surrrey, England, where Zardari frequented a pub he loved so much that, when he couldn't buy it, had an identical replica built in the mansion's basement. The property included an indoor swimming pool, a helipad, a stud farm, 220 acres of pasture and nine bedrooms Zardari decorated, for $1.5 million, with the help of two British interior decorators. That little deal pales in comparison with a promised $200 million payoff from Dassault Aviation, the French jet fighter manufacturer of Mirages, in exchange for a $4 billion deal with the Pakistani air force. Unfortunately for Zardari and Bhutto, that deal fell apart when, in 1996, Bhutto was booted out of government, twice, for corruption, and he was imprisoned again, for nine years, on charges including the murder of Bhutto's brother. In all Pakistani authorities the Bhutto-Zardari axis managed to embezzle somewhere in the range of $1.5 billion.
But Zardari's nickname stuck: "Mr. 10 Percent," for his reputation as an exacting reaper of kickbacks.
Asked once about her fabulous, and fabulously inexplicable, wealth, Bhutto said: "I mean, what is poor and what is rich? If you mean, I am rich by European standards, do I have a billion dollars, or even a hundred million dollars, even half that, no, I do not. But if you mean I'm ordinary rich, yes, my father had three children studying at Harvard as undergraduates at the same time. But this wealth never meant anything to my brothers or me."
Bhutto was assassinated last year, just as she was preparing to become prime minister for a third time. Zardari claims she named him her successor as head of the Pakistan Peoples Party, the party Bhuttu's father founded and she led until her death. On Friday, the PPP nominated Zardari its candidate for the presidency of Pakistan, the post Pervez Musharraf vacated last week to avoid impeachment.
Pakistan faces debilitating challenges, from an uncontrollable Taliban insurgency in its Northwest Frontier province to an economy on the fritz to a fractured political system that, for a nation of 165 million, seems incapable of producing one fairly reliable, uncorrupted leader. In comes Asif Ali Zardari, riding his late wife's aura possibly all the way to the presidency--and back to the public trough that not so long ago made him and Bhutto so rich. Pakistan is not moving in the most encouraging directions.
Comments
Asif zardari becoming president of pakistan can only be described as a joke. This guy is a theif who should never see the day light, but instead here he is about to become the president. Last time Asif zardari looted pakitsan’s treasure, this time he will sell pakistan as theres nothing left in pakistan to be looted.
And what about people of Pakistan? The populaton of 165 million, R all of you dead???? They must be dead coz i didnt see a single comment against this move over here.
Wake up Pakistanies Wake up.
Today Zardari officially became the President of Pakistan. It’s actually quite unbelievable how a theif and plunderer can be the LEADER of our country! We HAVE stooped to that level, you’re right Salman. It is indeed a sad sad day. I still can’t believe it.
hey r u sleeping Pakistan!!!! get up its the time to raise your voice,he cannot be our president,in fact he is not able for this high post.this is the time to throw this lier out of the country
I think so that people of pakistan are foolish becuase they are accepting this Zardari. Zardari is making fun of pakistan.
Zardari is the BEST PRESIDENT PAKISTAN WILL EVER SEE. PPP only can save pakistan from drowning. Zardari is a clean politician and will always lead our country with good principles. Feroz.
Why we are seeing the crisis in NWFP. Is our intellegence agencies are doing what they supposed to do? when our politicians will stop asking for more money when nothing is ever spent on the infrastructure of Pakistan. Our police department is shaky, ill equipped and corrupt. We need major reforms within the country. Its not only President Zardari..its the responsibility of every pakistani to come forward and do watever in out capacity to save this Country. Thanks
asif ali zardari is an experienced looter.He with his criwd of campanions is looting people’s wealth…………….!!!!!!!!!!
he wanted to buy deewaan suleman but the owner refused
now he wants to shut out that plants
thats what he z all about
may Allah bless Pakistan
LONG LIVE PAKISTAN
i think this should be the best time for the military to take over zadaries government, he sold pakistan for 1.5billion dollars to the us if u have been watching the news.
pakistan is suffering greatest delima.
A well known thief and a celebrated corrupt person is the president of pakistan.
praying for bright future of pakistan
and predicting a dreadful ending of all corrupt elements.
Everyone who commented against Zardari (though I don’t like Zardari either), are jealous of him, because he is SINDHI, a Sindhi is ruling them, this has totally freaked them out!
This is really it!
these are da bad dayz 4 pakistan that one corrupt man has become a leader of pakistan……no body will bliv dat a pakistan’s leader came from Jail,after facing a punishment of 11 years………..its really pathatic……….
People of Pakistan are not to be blamed, why should they wake up infact what should they wake up to? They dont even feel or understand what democracy is! I think you people asking the people of pakistan to wake up is based on a very naive notion simply because they were never shown or tought the basics of democracy in 60 odd years by the very same leaders that we have had to this day!!!
we need continuous concious leaders who one after the other can bring about a change, who put pakistan first not their interests….
Worst times have arrived therefore Mr. 10% (ten percent) have become leaders of our beloved country. I will not go into the details how corrupt our leaders are. Along with corruption they don’t care if poor people live or die. Zardari and his government have sold our country for few dollars and now our national interests are also on sale by him. When I think about the situation in Pakistan my heart really goes, looking at the necessity which Pakistani nation does not have, such as Sugar, Wheat flour, Electricity, Gas, jobs, clean drinking water and there is huge list of other necessities which Pakistani nation does not enjoy. However leaders of Pakistan have turned a blind eye to the problems of poor people. I always wonder that why Pakistan does not utilizes 18 billion people and produce various items which can later be sold in international market such as Airplanes, Fast Trains, Weapon technology and various other items. Leaders of Pakistan have pledged to neglect this nation and they are extremely busy filling their own pockets with stolen poor people’s money. I pray to God that the injustice vanishes soon and we see a real and authentic leader who can lead us through prosperity and happiness. I believe the leaders of Pakistan have failed to look after their country and they have failed to show care. We as a nation should unite together and raise against the ignorance we face today. Thank you
I dont have words to describe that zardari known as 10% who is most dangerous person for our beloved country Pakistan.
I dont understand one think thats is every single person of pakistan know him infact every individual in his GOVT know him than why they are supporting him why they can not take action against him.
I will must say here that If I will face him I will kill him .
you all people who deliver message against asif ali zardari are such who didn’t like any of the president. first you bark pervaiz musharat. and know…
i advice you to plz achi expectation rakhain…
allah malik hai
Musharaf was a way much better. since he was educated at least.
and he had many more good things
The sanctity of Pakistan’s Presidency was gone with the election of this corrupt and illiterate man called Asif Zardari as the President. What a filthy man he is. He is a shame for all Pakistanis.
We pray to Allah to remove him from this office and send him back to his all time abode “THE PRISON”. He deserves to remain in JAIL forever.
We all are blind and dumb…….few are educated but it’s a total waste, is this a free country yes it is anyone can become a president. But did anyone think about it whose fault is this? all of us cos our ambition is to be settled in a foreign country so we can have a good future but no one thinks about the country of their origin. Then why blame him he has the money and power and we all are coward. We cannot educate un-educate people but we can only talk and write these kind of comments on net. Who will bring the awareness- I think no one because we are blind and secondly no courage to stand against these powerful human beings. Our country moto is “Unity, Faith & Descipline” but this only looks good as a display. We as a nation not united cannot stand once and descipline no way around. Every one busy in their own life no one has time. Hope one day we truly called ourselves Pakistani’s rather blaming everyone.
Is he look like a president? there is only ine whom i hate the most.
muslim believes to an end of this world….Zardari as president is a clear symbol of qayamah…….my paki people best of luck to you…..
my humblr req t o ZARDARI
LEAVE LITTLE PAKISTAN…DONT COMPLETE KHAPAY
zardari is kutta
First he is not a muslim.
Second he is a complete jerk because if the people are calling him DOG than he should leave this position.
But in actual we people of Pakistan deserve him because
“Jaise Awam hogi waisa he Hukumran hoga”
So if he is a dog than we are also dog.
And dog always bark.
We need to correct ourselves first.
Allah taalah ketay hain “Jaisi quom hoti hai us per aisay hi hukumran musallat kar diyay jatay hain ” There you have it .Balkay pakistani tou aik quom bhi nahi rahe ab.Hum bahar reh ker apne logon ki wajah se sharminda hotay hain magar bai ghairat pakistani phir bhi ibrat nahin pakartay.Yeh sailaab yeh eartquake kia hain ALLAH KA AZAB aur kiun hai ai pakistanio apne atraf dekho JAWAB MIL JAI GA.
The jury to award “Most corrupt Man of the Commonwealth” award could not decide who among Suresh Kalmandi (India) and Asif “10%” Zardari (Pakistan) deserve the honor. They did a secret polling. The result was handed over to the chairman of the jury.
The Chairman of the jury opens the envelop and says : “ Oh no! Italy is not a Commonwealth nation and the award is for men.”
I believe that Mr Musharraf and Mr Chaudhry brothers were excellent people for Pakistan, Zardari a big moron, can’t imagine how became president….but a long history like killing Ms Bhutto.
Mr Elahi should come forward to lead this declining nation.
I hope he have no fear of Allah, He think pakistani people are fool bt he is wrong. people are wait and watch bt they will come forward, he will back
Nobody can be condemned in the manner people have done in their comments. Mr. Majeed Nizami is a big name in the country’s SAHAFAT. He gave him (Mr. Zardari) the title of ‘Mard-e Hur’. It is therefore, simply unbelievable that he can do anything un-becoming of the said title.
My advice to Mr. President is to promote within himself the traits and character of a pious Muslim ruler. Once he does so, he would start becoming popular amongst the people. If he fails to do so, people will forget him the moment he is off the scene.
This president is grown in a very rich family so obviously he dosent know the difference between poor and rich.He is just rich.We all know that he pretends to be good.Dont worry next time we will find a better prisident for pakistan.
A manhoos man is the president of country
its amazing how money can become god, and blind oneself from the reality of the life of this world
the more money you have the more you want,
my advice to all the pakistanis, be patient, dont be sad by seeing this, but instead contribute more to bring justice in pakistani society …..watch less political shows n tv, instead contribute to bring some change in this world, even its little, even it is you donating $1 to imran khans party
He is a Azab ie Allahie on Pakistan