Просмотр кода страницы Английская Википедия:Asif Ali Zardari

{{Английская Википедия/Панель перехода}}
{{short description|President of Pakistan from 2008 to 2013}}
{{pp-move-indef}}
{{pp-semi-blp|small=yes}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=July 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Asif Ali Zardari
| native_name         = {{nobold|آصف علي زرداري}}
| nickname            = Mr. 10 Percent<ref>{{cite web |title=Meet Mr. 10 Percent |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2008-09-13-0809120628-story.html |website=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=13 September 2008 |access-date=25 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Wonacott |first=Peter |title=Zardari Set to Assume Pakistan's Presidency |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122058073564902483 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=5 September 2008}}</ref>
| image               = Асиф Али Зардари.jpg
| caption             = Zardari in 2011
| office              = 11th [[President of Pakistan]]
| primeminister       = [[Yousaf Raza Gillani]]<br>[[Raja Pervaiz Ashraf]]<br>[[Mir Hazar Khan Khoso]] (Caretaker)<br>[[Nawaz Sharif]]
| term_start          = 9 September 2008
| term_end            = 9 September 2013
| predecessor         = [[Muhammad Mian Soomro|Muhammad Soomro]] (acting)
| successor           = [[Mamnoon Hussain]]
{{collapsed infobox section begin
| cont          = yes
| Other political offices
| titlestyle    = border:1px dashed lightgrey;
}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| embed         = yes
| office1       = President of [[Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians|PPP-P]]<ref>{{cite news| url=http://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/314828-Zardari-elected-PPP-president |title=Zardari elected PPPP president| date=27 December 2015|work=[[Dunya News]]|access-date=27 December 2015}}</ref>
| alongside1    = 
| term_start1   = 27 December 2015
| term_end1     = 
| predecessor1  = [[Ameen Faheem]]
| successor1    = 
| office2       = [[Chairperson|Co-Chairperson]] of the [[Pakistan People's Party|PPP]]
| alongside2    = [[Bilawal Bhutto Zardari]]
| term_start2   = 30 December 2007
| term_end2     = 27 December 2015
| predecessor2  = ''Position established''
| successor2    = 
| office3       = [[Spouse of the Prime Minister of Pakistan]]
| term_start3   = 19 October 1993
| term_end3     = 5 November 1996
| term_start4   = 2 December 1988
| term_end4     = 6 August 1990
| office5       = [[National Assembly of Pakistan|Member of National Assembly of Pakistan]]
| term_start5   = 13 August 2018
| term_end5     = 10 August 2023
}}
{{Collapsed infobox section end}}
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1955|7|26|df=y}}
| birth_place         = [[Karachi]], [[Federal Capital Territory (Pakistan)|Federal Capital Territory]], [[Dominion of Pakistan|Pakistan]] (now [[Sindh]], [[Pakistan]])
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[Pakistan People's Party]]
| spouse              = {{marriage|[[Benazir Bhutto]]|1987|2007|end=her death}}
| children            = [[Bilawal Bhutto Zardari|Bilawal Zardari]]<br>[[Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari|Bakhtawar Zardari]]<br>Aseefa Zardari
| parents             = Bilquis Sultana<br>[[Hakim Ali Zardari]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Asif Ali Zardari Fast Facts |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/01/04/world/asia/asif-ali-zardari---fast-facts/index.html |publisher=[[CNN]] |access-date=18 August 2017}}</ref>
| relatives           = See [[Zardari family]]
| nationality         = Pakistani
| native_name_lang    = ur
}}
{{Contains special characters|Urdu}}

'''Asif Ali Zardari''' ({{lang-ur|{{Nastaliq|<small>آصف علی زرداری</small>}}}}; {{lang-sd|{{Naskh|آصف علي زرداري}}}}; born 26 July 1955) is a Pakistani politician who is the president of [[Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians]] and was the co-chairperson of [[Pakistan People's Party]]. He served as the 11th [[president of Pakistan]] from 2008 to 2013, the first president born after [[Independence Day (Pakistan)|Independence]]. He is the widower of twice-elected [[Prime Minister of Pakistan]] [[Benazir Bhutto]]. He has been a member of the [[National Assembly of Pakistan]] since August 2018.

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 [[1988 Pakistani general election|her election in 1988]]. When Bhutto's government was dismissed by President [[Ghulam Ishaq Khan]] in 1990, Zardari was widely criticized for [[Corruption charges against Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari|involvement in corruption scandals]] that led to its collapse.<ref name="bbcprofileleader">{{cite news |title=Profile: Pakistan: leaders |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/country_profiles/1157960.stm#leaders |publisher=BBC News |date=7 May 2009 |access-date=6 June 2009}}</ref><ref name="leftprison"/> When Bhutto was [[1993 Pakistan general election|reelected in 1993]], Zardari served as [[Cabinet of Pakistan|Federal Investment Minister]] and Chairperson of Pakistan Environmental Protection Council. Following increasing tensions between Bhutto's brother [[Murtaza Bhutto|Murtaza]] and Zardari, Murtaza was killed by police in [[Karachi]] on 20 September 1996.<ref name="auto">{{Cite news|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/439575/death-anniversary-16-years-since-murtaza-bhutto-was-killed/|title=Death anniversary: 16 years since Murtaza Bhutto was killed – The Express Tribune|date=20 September 2012|work=The Express Tribune|access-date=29 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7162565.stm|title=Bhuttos: 'Cursed' political dynasty|date=28 December 2007|access-date=29 May 2018}}</ref> Bhutto's government was dismissed a month later by President [[Farooq Leghari]], while Zardari was arrested and indicted for Murtaza's murder as well as corruption charges.<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 of Pakistan|Parliament]] after being elected to the [[National Assembly of Pakistan|National Assembly]] in 1990 and [[Senate of Pakistan|Senate]] in 1997. He was released from jail in 2004 and went into self-exile to [[Dubai]], but returned when [[Assassination of Benazir Bhutto|Bhutto was assassinated]] on 27 December 2007. As the new co-chairman of the PPP, he led his party to victory in the [[2008 Pakistani general election|2008 general elections]]. He spearheaded a coalition that forced [[military dictatorship|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>{{Cite news|url=http://archives.dawn.com/2008/04/10/top7.htm|title=SHC acquits Zardari in Murtaza murder case|last=Tanoli|first=Ishaq|date=10 April 2008|work=Dawn|location=Pakistan|access-date=29 May 2018}}</ref><ref name="auto"/> When NAB try to arrest Hakam Ali Zardari, the father of Asif Ali Zardari, he approached Barrister Ijaz Hussain Batalvi to engage him as his Lawyer against NAB prosecution and Mr.Batalvi smiling ready to ask him if he get permission from his daughter in law ([[Benazir Bhutto]]) and he never came back, it revealed by [[Akhtar Aly Kureshy]] Advocate, a follower of Ijaz Hussain Batalvi legacy.

As president, Zardari remained a strong American ally in the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|war in Afghanistan]], despite prevalent public disapproval of the United States following the [[Raymond Davis incident]] and the [[2011 NATO attack in Pakistan|NATO attack in Salala]] in 2011. Domestically, Zardari achieved the passage of the [[Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan|Eighteenth Amendment]] in 2010, which constitutionally reduced his presidential powers. His attempt to prevent the reinstatement of [[Supreme Court of Pakistan|Supreme Court]] judges failed in the face of [[Pakistan Long March|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|contempt]] 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 [[2010 Pakistan floods|nationwide floods]] in 2010, and [[Terrorism in Pakistan|growing terrorist violence]]. Following multiple [[January 2013 Pakistan bombings|bombings of Hazaras in Quetta]] in early 2013, Zardari dismissed his provincial government in [[Balochistan, Pakistan|Balochistan]].

Towards the end of his term, Zardari recorded abysmally low [[approval ratings]], ranging from 11 to 14%.<ref>{{cite news|title=Zardari has abysmally low approval rating|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Zardari-has-abysmally-low-approval-rating-in-Pakistan-Survey/articleshow/14444475.cms|access-date=11 August 2015|work=The Times of India|date=28 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Nayani|first1=Aziz|title=Democracy's Surprisingly Low Approval Rating in Pakistan|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/05/democracys-surprisingly-low-approval-rating-in-pakistan/275721/|access-date=11 August 2015|work=The Atlantic|date=9 May 2013}}</ref> After the PPP was heavily defeated in the [[2013 Pakistan general election|2013 general election]], Zardari became the country's first elected president to complete his constitutional term on 9 September 2013.<ref>{{cite news |last=Malik |first=Humaima |date=29 July 2013 |title=Asif Zardari Returns Home Ahead of Presidential Polls |url=http://www.pakistantribune.com.pk/asif-zardari-returns-home-ahead-of-presidential-polls.html |newspaper=Pakistan Tribune |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105083416/http://www.pakistantribune.com.pk/asif-zardari-returns-home-ahead-of-presidential-polls.html |archive-date=5 January 2016}}</ref> His legacy remains divisive, with political observers accusing his administration of corruption and cronyism.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2008/sep/07/pakistan.usa|title=Asif Ali Zardari: the godfather as president|date=7 September 2008|newspaper=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077|access-date=31 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/10294303/Pakistans-president-steps-down-after-completing-historic-full-term.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/10294303/Pakistans-president-steps-down-after-completing-historic-full-term.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Pakistan's president steps down after completing historic full term|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=31 October 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Zardari was born on 26 July 1955<ref name="thepresident"/> in [[Karachi]], [[Sindh]]<ref name="bbcprofile">{{cite news|title=Profile: Asif Ali Zardari|work=BBC News| date=16 December 2009| access-date=28 February 2011| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4032997.stm}}</ref><ref name="Wilkinson2008">{{cite news| author=Wilkinson, Isambard| date=4 September 2008| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/profiles/2682828/Profile-Asif-Ali-Zardari-Pakistans-probable-next-president-is-living-the-dream.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/profiles/2682828/Profile-Asif-Ali-Zardari-Pakistans-probable-next-president-is-living-the-dream.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live| title=Profile: Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan's probable next president, is living the dream| newspaper=The Daily Telegraph| access-date=6 June 2009| location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref> in the [[Zardari family]]. He is of [[Baloch people|Baloch]] origin, belonging to the Saraiki-speaking [[Zardari (tribe)|Zardari]] tribe.<ref name="thepresident"/> He is the only son of [[Hakim Ali Zardari]], a tribal chief and prominent landowner, and Bilquis Sultana Zardari.<ref name="bbcprofile"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/10/nyregion/c-corrections-014761.html |title=Corrections| newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=29 July 2011| date=10 January 1998}}</ref> His paternal grandmother was of [[Iraqis|Iraqi]] descent,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/174906/hakim-ali-zardari-passes-away/|title=President grieved: Hakim Ali Zardari passes away|last=Tribune.com.pk|date=25 May 2011|website=The Express Tribune}}</ref> while his mother was the granddaughter of [[Hassan Ali Effendi]], a Sindhi educationist who is known as the founder of the [[Sindh Madressatul Islam University|Sindh Madressatul Islam]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Pakistan Journal of History and Culture|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h-1tAAAAMAAJ|year=1996|publisher=National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research|page=82|quote=The second son [[Hakim Ali Zardari]], left his place of birth, Phatohal Zardari, and settled in the village Mir Khan Zardari village where he started cultivating ancestral lands. He married Bilqees Khanum, daughter of Hasan Ali Memon and grand daughter of the famous scholar Hasan Ali Effendi.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Selections from Regional Press|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ReUuAQAAIAAJ|year=2008|publisher=Institute of Regional Studies|page=48|quote=On his maternal side, he is the great-grandson of Khan Bahadur Hassan Ali Effendi, the founder of first educational institution for the Muslims of Sindh. The founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, was among the prominent students to graduate from the Sindh Madrassa.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Current Biography Yearbook|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LKIrAQAAMAAJ|year=2009|publisher=H.W. Wilson|page=623|quote=On his maternal side, Zardari is the great-grandson of Khan Bahadur Hassan Ali Effendi ["Afandi" in some sources), the founder of Sindh Madrasatul Islam, the first educational institution for Muslims in Sindh.}}</ref>

In his youth, he enjoyed [[polo]] and boxing.<ref name="WSJ0809">{{cite news| author=Wonacott, Peter| date=5 September 2008| url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122058073564902483| title=Zardari set to assume Pakistan's presidency| newspaper=The Wall Street Journal| access-date=22 December 2009}}</ref> He led a polo team known as the Zardari Four.<ref name="borger"/> His father owned [[Bambino Cinema|Bambino]]<ref name="eduperlez"/>—a famous cinema in Karachi—and donated movie equipment to his school.<ref name="WSJ0809"/> He also appeared in a 1969 movie, ''[[Salgira]]'', as a child.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Khabarnaak GC Special |series=Khabarnaak |first1=Aftab |last1=Iqbal |network=GEO TV |date=December 2013}}</ref> 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">{{cite news|url=http://www.presidentofpakistan.gov.pk/index.php?lang=en&opc=2&sel=2 |title=President Asif Ali Zardari |publisher=gov.pk |access-date=30 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729041135/http://www.presidentofpakistan.gov.pk/index.php?lang=en&opc=2&sel=2 |archive-date=29 July 2012 }}</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 Business School|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">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/11/world/asia/11pstan.html|title=From prison to zenith of politics in Pakistan|author=Perlez, Jane |date=11 March 2008 |access-date=8 June 2011|work=The New York Times}}</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">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/17/world/asia/17pstan.html |title=Pakistani legislators face accusations of faking their degrees |author=Ellick, Adam B. |work=The New York Times|date=16 July 2010|access-date=8 June 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110610221647/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/17/world/asia/17pstan.html| archive-date= 10 June 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref>

==Career==
===Early political 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 [[arranged marriage]], done in accordance with Pakistani culture, was initially considered an unlikely match.<ref name="durantwed"/><ref name="bride"/> <!-- I was very reluctant to put "unlikely match" because of the ambiguous connotations of the phrase but I was forced to because in nearly every newspaper report (whether from 1987 articles or a 2009 Wall Street Journal bio) inserted the unlikeliness of this marriage. I will give more citations if pressed to --> 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">{{cite news | title=Pakistan opposition leader's wedding spurs frenzied protest|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BwBEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1139,5892122|location =[[Durant, Oklahoma]]|newspaper=The Durant Daily Democrat|access-date=29 July 2011|date=20 December 1987}}</ref><ref name="bride">{{cite news | author = Weisman, Steven R | title = The Bride Wore White; 100,000 Sang Slogans | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 19 December 1987 | access-date =3 March 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/19/world/karachi-journal-the-bride-wore-white-100000-sang-slogans.html }}</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 in a plane crash. A few months later, Bhutto became Pakistan's first female prime minister when her party won 94 of 207 seats contested in the [[1988 Pakistani general election|1988 elections]].{{Citation needed|date= June 2022}}

===Involvement in the first Bhutto Administration and first imprisonment===
{{See also|Corruption charges against Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari}}
[[File:Benazir Bhutto US visit 19890605.jpg|thumb|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>{{cite news | author = Crossette, Barbara | title = Bhutto Blames Army for Her Ouster | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 8 August 1990 | access-date =3 March 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1990/08/08/world/bhutto-blames-army-for-her-ouster.html }}</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">{{cite news|author=Rudolph, Barbara |author2=[[Anita Pratap]] |title=Pakistan: The hunt is on |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=27 August 1990 |access-date=3 March 2011 |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,970992,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120143049/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C970992%2C00.html |archive-date=20 January 2011 |url-status=dead }}</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">{{cite news |title=Government arrests husband of Bhutto |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nxhXAAAAIBAJ&pg=1867,1297257 |newspaper=The Spokane Chronicle |location=Spokane, Washington |date=10 October 1990 |access-date=22 July 2011}}</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">{{cite news |title=Police arrest Bhutto's husband |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HW1VAAAAIBAJ&pg=4672,4388420 |newspaper=The Reading Eagle |location=Reading, Pennsylvania |date=10 October 1990 |access-date=22 July 2011}}</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">{{cite news |title=Bhutto legislators stage walkout |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8DlDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4801,1976523 |newspaper=The Daily Sentinel |location=Middleport, Ohio |date= 4 November 1990|access-date=22 July 2011}}</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 [[Anti Terrorism Court of Pakistan|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">{{cite news | title = Bhutto's husband leaves prison | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 7 February 1993 | access-date =3 March 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1993/02/07/world/bhutto-s-husband-leaves-prison.html }}</ref> In March 1994, Zardari was acquitted of bank fraud charges.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bhutto's husband cleared in bank fraud |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nIAUAAAAIBAJ&pg=5050,17885 |location=Toledo, Ohio |newspaper=Toledo Blade |date=1 March 1994 |access-date=22 July 2011}}</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]].

===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">{{cite news | title = Husband of Benazir Bhutto, out of jail, joins the cabinet | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 23 April 1993 | access-date =5 March 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1993/04/23/world/husband-of-benazir-bhutto-out-of-jail-joins-the-cabinet.html }}</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>{{cite news|title=Pakistani President dismisses Bhutto|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nvArAAAAIBAJ&pg=2979,408610|location=Hopskinsville, Kentucky|newspaper=[[Kentucky New Era]]| date=1 November 1996 |access-date=22 July 2011}}</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>
{{cite news |title=Benazir sends Zardari on mercy mission to Iraq |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eoZlAAAAIBAJ&pg=1371,1728600 |newspaper=The Indian Express|location=Ahmadabad, India |date=10 February 1994 |access-date=22 July 2011}}</ref> In April 1994, Zardari denied allegations that he was wielding unregulated influence as a spouse and acting as "de-facto Prime Minister".<ref>{{cite news |title=Zardari refutes charges of being de-facto Prime Minister |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FIhlAAAAIBAJ&pg=804,3238899 |newspaper=The Indian Express|location=Ahmadabad, India |date=27 April 1994 |access-date=22 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | author = Purdum, Todd S | title = A Clinton and a Bhutto share a joke in Pakistan | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 27 March 1995 | access-date =5 March 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/27/world/a-clinton-and-a-bhutto-share-a-joke-in-pakistan.html }}</ref> In March 1995, he was appointed chairman of the new Environment Protection Council.<ref>
{{cite news |title=Bhutto moves swiftly to ensure green future |url=http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.06f0b401397a029733492d9253a0a0a0?vgnextoid=d5c78589b8ee1110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&s=Archive |newspaper=South China Morning Post |location=Hong Kong |date=23 March 1995 |access-date=4 March 2011}}</ref><ref name="successor">{{cite news | author = Robinson, Simon | title = Bhutto's successor | magazine = Time| date = 29 December 2007 | access-date =4 March 2011 | url = http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1699006,00.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071230080944/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1699006,00.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 30 December 2007 }}</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">{{cite news | author = Kamm, Henry | title = Bhutto fans the family feud, charging mother favors son | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 14 January 1994 | access-date =4 March 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/14/world/bhutto-fans-the-family-feud-charging-mother-favors-son.html}}</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">{{cite news |title=Bhutto's brother dies in shooting |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=S5JUAAAAIBAJ&pg=4955,4903862 |newspaper=Beaver County Times |location=Beaver, Pennsylvania |date=22 September 1996 |access-date=22 July 2011}}</ref> [[Ghinwa Bhutto]], Murtaza's widow, also accused Zardari of being behind his killing.<ref name="nyarrest"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Zardari charged in Murtaza killing |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=g8QpAAAAIBAJ&pg=6532,1842498 |newspaper=The Nation |location=Bangkok, Thailand |date=20 December 1996 |access-date=22 July 2011}}</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">{{cite news | author =Burns, John F | title =Pakistan's Premier Bhutto is put under house arrest | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 5 November 1996 | access-date =5 March 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/05/world/pakistan-s-premier-bhutto-is-put-under-house-arrest.html | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110218203009/http://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/05/world/pakistan-s-premier-bhutto-is-put-under-house-arrest.html| archive-date= 18 February 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="nyarrest2">{{cite news | author = Burns, John F | title = With goats and gunfire, Pakistanis cheer Bhutto's fall | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 6 November 1996 | access-date =5 March 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/06/world/with-goats-and-gunfire-pakistanis-cheer-bhutto-s-fall.html }}</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">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/09/world/house-graft-tracing-bhutto-millions-special-report-bhutto-clan-leaves-trail.html|title= House of graft: tracing the Bhutto millions|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=10 October 2001 | first=John F. | last=Burns | date=9 January 1998}}</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. [[United States Senate|Senate]] report on vulnerabilities in banking procedures.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hsgac.senate.gov/110999_report.htm |title=Minority staff report for permanent subcommittee on investigations hearing on private banking and money laundering: a case study of opportunities and vulnerabilities |date=9 November 1999 |publisher=senate.gov |access-date=6 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090528131548/http://hsgac.senate.gov/110999_report.htm |archive-date=28 May 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Second imprisonment and conviction===
In March 1997, Zardari was elected to the Senate while in a Karachi jail.<ref name="brief">{{cite news |author1=Kershner, Isabel |author2=Mark Landler  |name-list-style=amp| title = World news briefs: Bhutto's jailed husband sworn in as Senator | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 30 December 1997 | access-date =6 March 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/30/world/world-news-briefs-bhutto-s-jailed-husband-sworn-in-as-senator.html }}</ref><ref name="bhuttofall">{{cite news | title = The decline and fall of Benazir Bhutto | magazine = [[The Economist]] | date = 22 April 1999 | access-date =15 March 2011 | url = http://www.economist.com/node/200841 }}</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">{{cite news | title = Bhutto 'corruption' documents reach Pakistan |work=BBC News | date = 23 July 1998 | access-date =6 March 2011 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/136259.stm }}</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>{{cite news | title = Pakistan ex-premier's spouse indicted for murder | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 6 July 1997 | access-date =6 March 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/07/06/world/pakistan-ex-premier-s-spouse-indicted-for-murder.html | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110201091121/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/07/06/world/pakistan-ex-premier-s-spouse-indicted-for-murder.html| archive-date= 1 February 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref> After criminal prosecutions began, Citibank closed Zardari's account.<ref name="hiddenmoney">{{cite news | author = Zagorin, Adam | author2 = S. C. Gwynne | title = Just hide me the money | magazine = Time | date = 14 December 1998 | access-date =6 March 2011 | url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,989807-6,00.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110629024729/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,989807-6,00.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 29 June 2011 }}</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">{{cite news | author = Dugger, Celia W | title = Pakistan Sentences Bhutto To 5 Years for Corruption | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 16 April 1999 | access-date =5 March 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/04/16/world/pakistan-sentences-bhutto-to-5-years-for-corruption.html | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110221121231/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/04/16/world/pakistan-sentences-bhutto-to-5-years-for-corruption.html| archive-date= 21 February 2011 | url-status= live}}</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">{{cite news |title=Bhutto vows she will fight jail sentence for corruption |author=Rashid, Ahmed |url=http://www.independent.ie/world-news/bhutto-vows-she-will-fight-jail-sentence-for-corruption-411954.html |newspaper=Irish Independent |date=16 April 1999 |access-date=15 March 2011}}</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>{{cite news |title=Benazir, Zardari sentenced in Switzerland |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/2003/08/06/d30806011515.htm |newspaper=The Daily Star |location=Oneonta, New York |date=6 August 2003 |access-date=15 March 2011}}</ref>

In May 1999, he was hospitalised after an alleged attempted suicide.<ref name="suicide">{{cite news | title = Pakistan police accused of attempted murder |work=BBC News | date = 18 May 1999 | access-date =6 March 2011 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/346690.stm }}</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">{{cite news | author = Langley, Alison | title = Pakistan: Bhutto sentenced in Switzerland | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 6 August 2003 | access-date =6 March 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/06/world/world-briefing-asia-pakistan-bhutto-sentenced-in-switzerland.html | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100823224955/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/06/world/world-briefing-asia-pakistan-bhutto-sentenced-in-switzerland.html| archive-date=23 August 2010| url-status= live}}</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>
{{cite news |title=Play connects Pakistan's past and present |author=Flintoff, Correy |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15479962 |publisher=NPR |date=27 December 2007 |access-date=15 March 2011}}</ref>

In November 2004, he was released on bail by court order.<ref name="internationalbrief"/><ref name="arabnews"/><ref name="rearrestbbc">{{cite news | title = Pakistan police re-arrest Zardari |work=BBC News | date = 21 December 2004 | access-date =15 March 2011 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4113611.stm }}</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">{{cite news | title = International news briefings | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 23 December 2004 | access-date =15 March 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/23/international/23briefs.html }}</ref><ref name="arabnews"/> His release, rearrest, and then release again was regarded as a sign of growing reconciliation between [[Pervez Musharraf|Musharraf]]'s government and the PPP.<ref name="internationalbrief"/><ref name="arabnews">{{cite news |title=Zardari's arrest and release: Eye-opener for 'disbelievers' |author=Zehra, Nasim |url=http://archive.arabnews.com/?page=7&section=0&article=56538&d=25&m=12&y=2004 |newspaper=Arab News |location=Jeddah |publisher=Saudi Research & Publishing Company |agency=Saudi Research & Marketing Group |date=24 December 2004 |access-date=15 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616060927/http://archive.arabnews.com/?page=7&section=0&article=56538&d=25&m=12&y=2004 |archive-date=16 June 2012}}</ref> After his second release in late 2004, he left for exile in Dubai.<ref name="WSJ0809"/><ref name="bbcapril">{{cite news | title = Bhutto party supporters released |work=BBC News | date = 18 April 2005 | access-date =15 March 2011 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4456695.stm }}</ref>

===Exile and legal problems===
He returned to [[Lahore]] in April 2005.<ref name="bbcapril"/><ref name="masood">{{cite news | author = Masood, Salmaan | title = Politicians detained in Pakistan | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 18 April 2005 | access-date =15 March 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/17/world/asia/17iht-arrest.html }}</ref><ref name="fox">{{cite news |title=Pakistan detains opposition figure |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,153662,00.html |publisher=Fox News Channel |agency=News Corporation |date=16 April 2005 |access-date=15 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202073919/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C153662%2C00.html |archive-date=2 February 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Punjab Police (Pakistan)|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|Musharraf]]'s government, but rumours of reconciliation between [[Pervez Musharraf|Musharraf]] and the PPP grew.<ref name="masood"/><ref name="fox"/> Zardari went back to Dubai in May 2005.<ref name="IOL">{{cite news |title=Bhutto's husband has a heart attack |url=http://www.iol.co.za/news/world/bhutto-s-husband-has-a-heart-attack-1.243005 |work=Independent Online |agency=Independent News & Media |date=5 June 2005 |access-date=15 March 2011}}</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">{{cite news | title = Bhutto husband re-arrest ordered |work=BBC News | date = 11 September 2005 | access-date =15 March 2011 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4235488.stm }}</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>{{cite news |title=Interpol issues arrest notices for Benazir and husband |author=Masood, Azhar |url=http://archive.arabnews.com/?page=4&section=0&article=76917&d=27&m=1&y=2006 |newspaper=Arab News |location=Jeddah |publisher=Saudi Research & Publishing Company |agency=Saudi Research & Marketing Group |date=26 January 2006 |access-date=15 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616060956/http://archive.arabnews.com/?page=4&section=0&article=76917&d=27&m=1&y=2006 |archive-date=16 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Interpol issues arrest notice for Benazir Bhutto on corruption charges |url=https://www.forbes.com/feeds/afx/2006/01/26/afx2478390.html |work=Forbes |agency=AFX News |date=26 January 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629015907/http://www.forbes.com/feeds/afx/2006/01/26/afx2478390.html |archive-date=29 June 2011 |access-date=15 March 2011}}</ref>

When Bhutto announced in September 2007 her upcoming return to Pakistan, her husband was in New York City undergoing medical treatment.<ref>{{cite news | author =Gall, Carlotta | title =Bhutto announces date of return to Pakistan | newspaper =The New York Times | date =15 September 2007 | access-date=15 March 2011 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/15/world/asia/15pakistan.html }}</ref> After the [[2007 Karachi bombing|October 2007 bombing in Karachi]] that tainted Bhutto's return, he accused [[List of Pakistani intelligence agencies|Pakistani intelligence services]] of being behind the attacks and claimed "it was not done by militants".<ref>{{cite news |title=Terrorists blamed for Karachi attacks |url=http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=197369 |newspaper=Gulf Daily News |location=Manama, Bahrain|date=20 October 2007 |access-date=15 March 2011}}</ref><ref name="reutersdubai">{{cite news |title=Pakistan's Bhutto targeted on return home |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-reaction-idUSL1843289320071019 |work=Reuters |date=19 October 2007 |access-date=15 March 2011}}</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>{{cite news | title = Bhutto vows to press on with campaign | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 21 October 2007 | access-date =15 March 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/21/world/asia/21iht-21pakistan.7981990.html }}</ref>

In November 2007, [[Pervez Musharraf|Musharraf]] instituted [[emergency rule]] for six weeks (see [[Pakistani state of emergency, 2007]]),<ref name="electionfactbox">{{cite news |title=Factbox-Who stands to win or lose in Pakistani vote |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSSP2442 |work=Reuters |date=17 February 2008 |access-date=19 March 2011}}</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">{{cite news |title=Pakistan declares state of emergency |url=http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=4d4c4c95-64ce-46b6-81e2-c7f63a828d4a&k=70068 |newspaper=The Gazette|location=Montreal |publisher=Canada.com |agency=Postmedia News|date=3 November 2007 |access-date=16 March 2011}}</ref><ref name="reuteragain"/> Emergency rule was initiated right before the Supreme Court of Pakistan began deliberations on the legality of [[Pervez Musharraf|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|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">{{cite news |title=Bhutto flying back to Pakistan from Dubai: Husband |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-bhutto-idUSISL20505820071103 |work=Reuters |date=3 November 2007 |access-date=16 March 2011}}</ref> Before the Supreme Court could issue a decision, [[Pervez Musharraf|Musharraf]] replaced its members with his supporters.<ref name="canada"/><ref name="timedeal">{{cite news | author = Baker, Aryn | title = Bhutto to Musharraf: We can still deal | magazine = Time |date=5 November 2007|access-date=16 March 2011|url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1680704,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071106153912/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1680704,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 November 2007}}</ref>

In the midst of his exile, Zardari had several different legal problems. In Pakistan, [[Pervez Musharraf|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 [[Poland|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">{{cite news | author = Pallister, David | title = Trail of corruption and kickback charges still in wings for opposition leader |newspaper=The Guardian |location=UK | date = 12 November 2007 | access-date =16 March 2011 | url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/nov/12/pakistan.benazirbhutto }}</ref> He successfully used his medical diagnosis to postpone a verdict on his British manor trial.<ref name="ft">
{{cite news |title=Doubts cast on Zardari's mental health |author=Peel, Michael |author2=Bokhari, Farhan |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7c186d52-72f0-11dd-983b-0000779fd18c.html |newspaper=[[Financial Times]] |agency=Pearson PLC |date=25 August 2008 |access-date=22 March 2011}}</ref><ref name="mental">{{cite news|author=Waraich, Omar |title=Is Pakistan's Zardari mentally fit? |magazine=Time |date=26 August 2008 |access-date=23 March 2011 |url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1836468,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209145748/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0%2C8599%2C1836468%2C00.html |archive-date= 9 February 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="nymental">{{cite news | author = Perlez, Jane | title = Front-runner in Pakistan has Been ill, report says | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 26 August 2008 | access-date =23 March 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/27/world/asia/27pstan.html }}</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 [[Assassination of Benazir Bhutto|his wife's assassination]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Nation on a knife-edge |url=http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/nation-on-a-knife-edge-1.977517 |newspaper=[[Evening Times]] |publisher= Newsquest |location=Glasgow, Scotland |date=28 December 2007 |access-date=19 March 2011}}</ref>

==Co-chairperson of the PPP==

===Bhutto's assassination and succession===
{{Main|Assassination of Benazir Bhutto}}
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>{{cite news |title=Thousands gather for Benazir Bhutto's funeral |author=Wilkinson, Isambard |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1573852/Thousands-gather-for-Benazir-Bhuttos-funeral.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1573852/Thousands-gather-for-Benazir-Bhuttos-funeral.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=28 December 2011 |access-date=29 May 2011 |location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He denied government allegations that the assassination was sponsored by [[Al-Qaida]].<ref name="cbsnews">{{cite news |title=Bhutto's son, husband to lead party |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/12/29/world/main3656040.shtml |work=CBS News |date=31 December 2007 |access-date=19 March 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110203001625/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/12/29/world/main3656040.shtml| archive-date= 3 February 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="walsh">{{cite news | author = Walsh, Declan | title = Zardari rejects claim of al-Qaida link to Bhutto's murder |newspaper=The Guardian |location=UK | date = 1 January 2008 | access-date =19 March 2011 | url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/jan/01/pakistan.international1 }}</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">{{cite news |title=Bhutto's son says Pakistan may fragment without vote (Update2) |author=Hall, Camilla |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=ajqWI.ugsmQk |publisher=Bloomberg L.P |date=8 January 2008 |access-date=19 March 2011}}</ref><ref name="dauphin">{{cite news | title = Bhutto's son meets the press | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 8 January 2008 | access-date =19 March 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/09/world/asia/09iht-bhutto.1.9097154.html | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110221122854/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/09/world/asia/09iht-bhutto.1.9097154.html| archive-date= 21 February 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Bhutto's son seeks media privacy |work=BBC News | date = 8 January 2008 | access-date =19 March 2011 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7176743.stm }}</ref> He and his family offered to accept Musharraf's demand to exhume Bhutto's body in exchange for a United Nations inquiry, but [[Pervez Musharraf|Musharraf]] rejected the proposal.<ref>{{cite news |title=Musharraf: Exhume Bhutto's body |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2008/01/2008525132721110437.html |publisher=Al Jazeera  |agency=Qatar Media Corporation |date=13 January 2008 |access-date=19 March 2011}}</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">{{cite news | author = Sengupta, Somini | title = Opposition parties vow to proceed with Jan. 8 election |work=The New York Times | date = 31 December 2007 | access-date =19 March 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/31/world/asia/31pakistan.html }}</ref><ref name="nprdeal">{{cite news |title=What's the deal with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari? |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17717208 |publisher=NPR |date=31 December 2007 |access-date=19 March 2011}}</ref>

===February parliamentary elections and coalition formation===
{{Main|2008 Pakistani general election}}
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">
{{cite news |title=Zardari says Bhutto's party may work with Musharraf (Update1) |author=Mangi, Naween A. |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aNmpQ6uBXjWI |publisher=Bloomberg L.P |date=28 January 2008 |access-date=19 March 2011}}</ref><ref name="gallperlez">{{cite news | author = Gall, Carlotta | author2 = Jane Perlez | title = Pakistan's hopes for election tempered by concerns about fairness of vote | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 17 February 2008 | access-date =19 March 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/17/world/asia/17iht-pakistan.4.10121095.html }}</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>{{cite news|author=Baker, Aryn |title=Pakistan braces for election trouble |magazine=Time |date=5 February 2008 |access-date=19 March 2011 |url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1713802,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110207100820/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0%2C8599%2C1713802%2C00.html |archive-date= 7 February 2011 |url-status=dead }}</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">{{cite news|title=Fahim emerging as next Pak PM |author=Masood, Azhar |url=http://archive.arabnews.com/?page=4&section=0&article=107095&d=23&m=2&y=2008 |newspaper=Arab News |location=Jeddah |publisher=Saudi Research & Publishing Company |agency=Saudi Research & Marketing Group |date=23 February 2008 |access-date=19 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616061005/http://archive.arabnews.com/?page=4&section=0&article=107095&d=23&m=2&y=2008 |archive-date=16 June 2012 }}</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 [[Pervez Musharraf|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>{{cite news | author = Perlez, Jane | title = Pakistan rivals join to fight Musharraf | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 10 March 2008 | access-date =20 March 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/10/world/asia/10pstan.html }}</ref> He met with U.S. ambassador [[Anne W. Patterson]], who pushed for a pact with Musharraf.<ref name="bowley">{{cite news | author = Bowley, Graham | title = 2 Pakistani opposition parties vow to form coalition | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 21 February 2008 | access-date =19 March 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/21/world/asia/21iht-pakistan.4.10280840.html }}</ref> To strengthen the new coalition, he reached out to [[Awami National Party]], the [[Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan|Muttahida Qaumi Movement]], and [[Baloch nationalism|Baloch nationalist]] leaders, who had all boycotted the elections.<ref>{{cite news| title = Pakistan coalition promises benefits |work=BBC News | date = 23 February 2008 | access-date =19 March 2011 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7259262.stm }}</ref><ref name="bbc21">{{cite news | title = Pakistan victors mull coalition |work=BBC News | date = 21 February 2008 | access-date =19 March 2011 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7256107.stm }}</ref>

After weeks of speculation and party infighting, he said he did not want to become prime minister.<ref name="bbc21"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/330129/1/.html |title=Bhutto's widower alleges post-poll rigging in Pakistan |publisher=Channel NewsAsia |location=Singapore |agency=MediaCorp |date=21 February 2008 |access-date=6 August 2010}}</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">{{cite news | author = Perlez, Jane | title = Pakistani party's leader chooses a Prime Minister | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 23 March 2008 | access-date =19 March 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/23/world/asia/23pstan.html }}</ref>

===Coalition government===
{{See also|Movement to impeach Pervez Musharraf}}
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 [[Pervez Musharraf|Musharraf]].<ref name="haider">{{cite news |title=Sharif's Party pulls out of Pakistan government |author=Haider, Kamran |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSISL256720 |work=Reuters |date=12 May 2008 |access-date=20 March 2011}}</ref><ref name="qayum">{{cite news |title=Sharif says Zardari risks losing support over judges (Update 1)|author=Qayum, Khalid|author2=Rupert, James |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=atwepgHQK7IA |publisher=Bloomberg|date=20 January 2008 |access-date=20 March 2011}}</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">{{cite news |title=Pakistani party quits cabinet over justices |author=Constable, Pamela |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/12/AR2008051200089.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=13 May 2008 |access-date=20 March 2011}}</ref><ref name="slash"/><ref name="reduce"/> The coalition regrouped, again with the PML-N, and proposed a [[Amendments to the Constitution of Pakistan|constitutional amendment]] that would remove the power of the President to dismiss Parliament.<ref name="qayum"/><ref name="slash">{{cite news | title = Move to slash Musharraf's powers |work=BBC News | date = 24 May 2008 | access-date =20 March 2011 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7418699.stm }}</ref><ref name="reduce">{{cite news |title=Pakistan Peoples Party moves to reduce Musharraf's powers |author=Rupert, James |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a5F9MUsCu.fo |publisher=Bloomberg L.P |date=24 May 2008 |access-date=20 March 2011}}</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 of Nations|Commonwealth]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Haider |first=Kamran |date=13 March 2008 |title=Pakistan's coalition rocked as Sharif pulls out |url=http://news.scotsman.com/world/Pakistan39s-coalition-rocked--.4075349.jp |newspaper=The Scotsman |location=Edinburgh |publisher=Johnston Press |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080708215937/http://news.scotsman.com/world/Pakistan39s-coalition-rocked--.4075349.jp |archive-date=8 July 2008 |access-date=21 March 2011}}</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 of Pakistan|National Assembly]] and [[Senate of Pakistan|Senate]].<ref name="qayum"/><ref name="reutersca">{{cite news |title=Musharraf to be replaced soon: Bhutto's widower |author=Anthony, Augustine |url=http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCAISL23944520080620 |agency=Reuters Canada |date=20 June 2008 |access-date=20 March 2011}}</ref> He was unwilling to restore the judiciary as divisions in the coalition grew and popular sentiment shifted towards Sharif.<ref name="usat">{{cite news |title=Pakistan: Supporters protest decision to bar Sharif from election |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-06-24-pakistan-politics_N.htm |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |date=24 January 2008 |access-date=20 March 2011}}
</ref><ref name="gdn">{{cite news |title=Sharif barred from election |url=http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=221143 |newspaper=Gulf Daily News  |location=Manama, Bahrain |date=24 June 2008 |access-date=20 March 2011}}</ref> The coalition criticised the government for barring Sharif from competing in the June by-elections.<ref name="usat"/><ref name="gdn"/><ref>{{cite news | author = Perlez, Jane | title = Pakistan court bars Sharif from election | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 20 March 2008 | access-date =20 March 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/24/world/asia/24sharif.htm }}</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">{{cite news|author=Waraich, Omar |title=Musharraf in the crosshairs |magazine=Time |date=7 August 2008 |access-date=20 March 2011 |url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1830353,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210163110/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0%2C8599%2C1830353%2C00.html |archive-date=10 February 2011 |url-status=dead }}</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">{{cite news |title=Coalition to impeach Musharraf |author=Masood, Azhar |url=http://archive.arabnews.com/?page=4&section=0&article=112535&d=8&m=8&y=2008 |newspaper=Arab News |location=Jeddah |publisher=Saudi Research & Publishing Company |agency=Saudi Research & Marketing Group |date=7 August 2008 |access-date=20 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616061012/http://archive.arabnews.com/?page=4&section=0&article=112535&d=8&m=8&y=2008 |archive-date=16 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Zardari warns Musharraf against government dismissal |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-musharraf-dismissal-idUSISL10945220080807 |work=Reuters |date=7 August 2008 |access-date=20 March 2011}}</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">{{cite news | title = 'No deal yet' in Musharraf talks |work=BBC News | date = 19 August 2008 | access-date =21 March 2011 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7569311.stm }}</ref><ref name="economistexit">{{cite news |title=Pakistan: Exit the President |url=http://www.economist.com/node/11965344 |magazine=The Economist |publisher=Economist Group |date=21 March 2011 |access-date=22 July 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110629200125/http://www.economist.com/node/11965344| archive-date= 29 June 2011 | url-status= live}}</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">{{cite news |title=Musharraf's ouster tests coalition as focus shifts (Update 2) |author=Khaleeq, Ahmed |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aG1vvK4wjt9Q |publisher=Bloomberg L.P |date=19 August 2008 |access-date=21 March 2011}}</ref><ref name="indiankam">{{cite news |title=Cracks in Pakistan coalition day after Musharraf quits |author=Haider, Kamran |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-35085620080819?pageNumber=1 |agency=Reuters India |date=19 August 2008 |access-date=21 March 2011}}</ref>

===Rise to presidency===
{{Main|2008 Pakistani presidential election}}
Presidential elections were held within three weeks after the departure of Musharraf.<ref name="zardarip1">{{cite news | title = Pakistan bombing underscores risks to Zardari presidency | newspaper= The New York Times | date = 7 September 2008 | access-date =22 March 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/world/asia/07iht-pakistan.4.15953987.html }}</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>{{cite news |title=Pakistan's Zardari urged to change image and focus |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-papers-idUSISL23097620080907 |work=Reuters |date=7 September 2008 |access-date=22 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Husband of slain Benazir Bhutto, Asif Ali Zardari, becomes new president of Pakistan at crucial time |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/husband-slain-benazir-bhutto-asif-ali-zardari-new-president-pakistan-crucial-time-article-1.320259 |newspaper=Daily News |location=New York City |agency=Associated Press |date=6 September 2008 |access-date=22 March 2011}}</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>{{cite news | author = Graham, Stephen | title = Zardari marked by legal woes, tragedy | newspaper = Boston Globe | agency =Associated Press | date = 7 September 2008 | access-date =22 March 2011 | url = http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2008/09/07/zardari_has_been_marked_by_legal_woes_and_tragedy/ }}</ref> He was endorsed by the PPP and the [[Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan|Muttahida Qaumi Movement]] (MQM) for the presidency.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7575958.stm |title=Zardari nominated to be president |work=BBC News |date=22 August 2008 |access-date=6 August 2010}}</ref> The PML-N nominated former justice [[Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui]], while the PML-Q put forth [[Mushahid Hussain Sayed]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan Peoples Party lawmakers want Zardari to be President |author=Qayum, Khalid |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a_18fzjk4jU0 |publisher=Bloomberg L.P |date=20 August 2008 |access-date=22 March 2011}}</ref><ref name="cnnprez">{{cite news |title=Bhutto widower Zardari elected Pakistan's new president |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/09/06/pakistan.presidential.election/ |publisher=CNN |agency=Time Warner |date=6 September 2008 |access-date=22 March 2011}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Zardari won a majority in the [[Electoral College (Pakistan)|Electoral College]] with 481 of 702 votes.<ref group="election">The Electoral College is composed of the Senate, the National Assembly, and the four provincial assemblies. The parliamentary lower house National Assembly has 342 seats. The upper house Senate has 100 seats. The four provincial assemblies are [[Provincial Assembly of Sindh|Sindh]], [[Provincial Assembly of the Punjab|Punjab]], [[Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] and [[Provincial Assembly of Balochistan, Pakistan|Balochistan]] respectively. The assemblies have total of 1170 seats, but the number of Electoral College votes is 702 since provincial assembly votes are counted on a proportional basis. A person needs to win 352 votes to obtain a majority.</ref><ref name="zardarip1"/><ref name="cnnprez"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7600917.stm |title=Bhutto's widower wins presidency |work=BBC News |date=6 September 2008 |access-date=6 August 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Pakistan: Political structure | magazine = The Economist |publisher=Economist Group  | date = 21 October 2008 | access-date =24 March 2011 | url = http://www.economist.com/node/12412134 }}</ref> He was elected president on 6 September 2008.<ref group="election">The President serves for five years.</ref><ref>{{cite news | author = Orr, James | title = Civilian rule returns to Pakistan as Asif Ali Zardari becomes President |newspaper=The Guardian |location=UK | date = 9 September 2008 | access-date =21 March 2011 | url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/sep/09/pakistan.benazirbhutto }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://mobile.nytimes.com/2009/04/05/magazine/05zardari-t.html|title=Can Pakistan Be Governed? And Is Asif Ali Zardari the Man to Do the Job? |author= [[James Traub]] |work = [[The New York Times Magazine]] |date= 31 March 2009 |access-date= 2 August 2017}}</ref>

==President of Pakistan==

===Initial days===
[[File:Dmitry Medvedev in Tajikistan 30 July 2009-2.jpg|thumb|Zardari with [[Emomali Rahmon]], [[Dmitry Medvedev]] and [[Hamid Karzai]]]]
At the inauguration on 9 September 2008, [[Afghanistan|Afghan]] President [[Hamid Karzai]] was a guest of honour, which was a signal for much closer cooperation between the two nations in addressing the [[Taliban insurgency|tribal insurgency]] along the [[Durand Line|Afghanistan-Pakistan border]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Zardari and Karzai show solidarity |url=http://www.newsweek.com/2008/09/09/good-intentions.html |magazine=[[Newsweek]] |date=9 September 2008 |access-date=26 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | author = Perlez, Jane | title = Widower of Bhutto takes office in Pakistan | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 9 September 2008 | access-date =26 March 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/10/world/asia/10pstan.html }}</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>{{cite news | author = Perlez, Jane | title = Bhutto widower with clouded past is set to lead | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 4 September 2008 | access-date =26 March 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/05/world/asia/05zardari.html }}</ref> His first parliamentary speech was overshadowed by 20 September [[Islamabad Marriott Hotel bombing]].<ref>
{{cite news |title=Pakistan and America: How to beat the terrorists? |url=http://www.economist.com/node/12284547 |magazine=The Economist |publisher=Economist Group |date=23 September 2008 |access-date=23 March 2011}}</ref><ref>
{{cite news |title=Blast kills dozens in Pakistan |author=Hussain, Shaiq |author2= Constable, Pamela |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/20/AR2008092000910.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date= 21 September 2008 |access-date=23 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | author = Pir Zubair Shah | author2 = Wafa, Abdul Waheed | title = Pakistani leaders narrowly escaped hotel blast, official Says | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 22 September 2008 | access-date =23 March 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/22/world/asia/22iht-pakistan.4.16380918.html }}</ref> A few days later, he went to the [[United Nations Headquarters]] in New York City on his first overseas trip as president.<ref>{{cite news |title=Zardari sworn in as Pakistan President |author=Masood, Azhar |newspaper=Arab News |location=Jeddah |publisher=Saudi Research & Publishing Company |agency=Saudi Research & Marketing Group |url=http://archive.arabnews.com/?page=4&section=0&article=114075&d=10&m=9&y=2008 |date=10 September 2008 |access-date=26 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616061056/http://archive.arabnews.com/?page=4&section=0&article=114075&d=10&m=9&y=2008 |archive-date=16 June 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Bush and Zardari 2008-9-23.jpg|thumb|Zardari and Bush meeting in 2008.]]

===United Nations visit===
{{See also|Pakistan and the United Nations}}
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>{{cite news |title=Bush, Zardari discuss U.S. incursions in Pakistan |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-09-23-bush-un_N.htm |work=USA Today |date=23 September 2008|access-date=27 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |agency=Bloomberg L.P |author=Gienger, Viola |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aYL9Y2gi7BvI |title=Zardari wins support of global coalition on terrorism, economy |date=26 September 2008 |access-date=27 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Rice sees promising Pakistan-Afghanistan rapport |author=Eckert, Paul |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-usa-rice-interview-idUSTRE48P81Z20080926 |work=Reuters |date=26 September 2008 |access-date=27 March 2011}}</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">{{cite news|author=Zernike, Kate| title=Palin has meetings for a second day with foreign leaders| newspaper=The New York Times| date=24 September 2008| access-date=27 February 2011| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/25/us/politics/25palin.html}}</ref><ref name="palin2">{{cite news|author=Waraich, Omar| title=How Sarah Palin rallied Pakistan's feminists| magazine=Time | date=26 September 2008| access-date=1 March 2011| url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1844925,00.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080927160710/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1844925,00.html| url-status=dead| archive-date=27 September 2008}}</ref><ref name="palin3">{{cite news| title=Flirting with Palin earns Pakistani President a fatwa| work=The Christian Science Monitor| date=2 October 2008| access-date=1 March 2011| url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-South-Central/2008/1002/p04s01-wosc.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/10/02/2008-10-02_pakistan_president_asif_ali_zardari_subj.html|title=Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari |last=Saltonstall|first=David|date=2 October 2008|newspaper=Daily News|access-date=7 October 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081006051536/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/10/02/2008-10-02_pakistan_president_asif_ali_zardari_subj.html| archive-date= 6 October 2008 | url-status= live| location=New York}}</ref> Although, at the [[United Nations General Assembly]], he publicly condemned [[drone attacks in Pakistan|U.S drone attacks in Pakistan]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan warns U.S. to stay off its turf |author=Brummitt, Chris |url=http://articles.sfgate.com/2008-09-27/news/17160133_1_president-asif-ali-zardari-pakistani-government-spokesman-pakistan-s-policy |newspaper=San Francisco Gate |date=27 September 2008 |access-date=27 March 2011}}</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 [[General Atomics MQ-1 Predator|Predator]] strikes and a jointly approved list of prominent targets.<ref>{{cite news |title=A quiet deal with Pakistan |author=Ignatius, David |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/03/AR2008110302638.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=4 November 2008 |access-date=27 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = The war in Pakistan: Predator and prey | magazine = The Economist |publisher=Economist Group  | date = 6 November 2008 | access-date =27 March 2011 | url = http://www.economist.com/node/12566901 }}</ref> He and [[India]]n Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]] agreed to resume peace talks by the end of 2008.<ref>{{cite news |title=India, Pakistan leaders agree to resume talks |author=Eckert, Paul |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-35638620080925 |agency=Reuters India |date=24 September 2008 |access-date=2 June 2011}}</ref>

===Economic crises===
{{See also|Periods of stagflation in Pakistan}}
From 14 to 17 October 2008, he was in China<ref name="cd"/><ref>{{cite news |first=Xiao |last=Yang |date=16 October 2008 |title=Zardari's visit cements all-weather partnership |url=http://www2.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-10/16/content_7110177.htm |newspaper=China Daily |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207190441/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-10/16/content_7110177.htm |archive-date=7 February 2009 |access-date=28 March 2011}}</ref> to negotiate [[Foreign aid to Pakistan|foreign aid]], as Pakistan faced the possibility of [[Default (finance)|defaulting]] on its payments.<ref name="cr">
{{cite news |title=Pakistan's Zardari looks to China for support |first=Chris |last=Buckley |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-pakistan-idUSTRE49E4GG20081015 |work=Reuters |date=15 October 2008 |access-date=28 March 2011}}</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">{{cite news | author = Perlez, Jane | title = Rebuffed by China, Pakistan May Seek I.M.F. Aid | newspaper=The New York Times| date = 18 October 2008 | access-date =28 March 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/19/world/asia/19zardari.html }}</ref><ref name="cr"/>

After Saudi Arabia, Britain, China, the United States, and the [[United Arab Emirates]] refused to provide any bailout,<ref>{{cite news | author = Waraich, Omar | title = Time and money running out for Pakistan | magazine = Time | date = 25 October 2008 | access-date =7 April 2011 | url = http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1852847,00.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081025232711/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1852847,00.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 25 October 2008 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> he officially asked the [[International Monetary Fund]] (IMF) for assistance in solving Pakistan's balance of payments problem on 22 October.<ref>{{cite news | author = Mufti, Shahan | title = Cash-strapped Pakistan finds few friends in time of economic need | work = The Christian Science Monitor | date = 23 October 2008 | access-date =7 April 2011 | url = http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-South-Central/2008/1023/p04s01-wosc.html }}</ref>

He went to Saudi Arabia from 4 to 6 November in hopes of obtaining financial aid and securing trade agreements.<ref>
{{cite news|title=Zardari seeks Saudi help to tide over crisis |last=Rasooldeen |url=http://archive.arabnews.com/?page=1 |newspaper=Arab News |date=5 November 2008 |access-date=9 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616061137/http://archive.arabnews.com/?page=1 |archive-date=16 June 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | author = Khan, M. Ilyas | title = Zardari in talks with Saudi king |work=BBC News | date = 5 November 2008 | access-date =9 April 2011 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7710017.stm }}</ref> However, [[Contents of the United States diplomatic cables leak (Pakistan)|leaked cables]] revealed increasingly [[Pakistan–Saudi Arabia relations|strained relations]] between Zardari and Saudi royalty, primarily because of Saudi distrust of Zardari and preference for Sharif.<ref name="saudileak1"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Wikileaks reveals tensions between Pakistan, Saudis |author=Bokhari, Farhan |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503543_162-20024656-503543.html |work=CBS News |date=5 December 2010 |access-date=9 April 2011}}</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">{{cite news |author=Walsh, Declan | title=Wikileaks cables: Saudi Arabia wants military rule in Pakistan |newspaper=The Guardian |location=UK | date = 1 December 2010 | access-date =9 April 2011 | url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/01/saudis-distrust-pakistan-embassy-cables | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110414052833/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/01/saudis-distrust-pakistan-embassy-cables| archive-date= 14 April 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="saudileaks2">{{cite magazine | author = Tharoor, Ishaan | title = WikiLeaks Reveals Saudi Arabia's role in Pakistani affairs |magazine=Time | date = 6 December 2010 | access-date =9 April 2011 | url = http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2035347,00.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101208030416/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2035347,00.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 8 December 2010 }}</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">{{cite news |title=President Zardari says Pakistan won't use nuclear weapons first |first=Pratik |last=Parija |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aLr2nNoMNfC4 |agency=Bloomberg |date=22 November 2008 |access-date=9 April 2011}}</ref> In a $11.3 billion multi-year loan package, Pakistan received a $7.4 billion loan for 2008–10.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan's Zardari urges support to stabilise country |first=Linda |last=Seig|author2=Lawson, Hugh |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-pakistan-aid-zardari-idUKTRE53G05820090417 |agency=Reuters UK |date=16 April 2009 |access-date=16 May 2011}}</ref><ref name="greco">{{cite news |title=Prolonged turmoil could create Pakistan banking crisis |author=Raghuvanshi, Gaurav |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704723104576062793024696406 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |agency=News Corporation |date=5 January 2011 |access-date=14 June 2011}}</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">{{cite news |title=Defection hobbles Pakistan leader |author=Wright, Tom |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704835504576059621949090978 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |agency=News Corporation |date=14 June 2011 |access-date=3 January 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110125161117/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704835504576059621949090978.html| archive-date= 25 January 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistani government in turmoil after coalition party quits over fuel and taxes |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jan/02/pakistan-government-coalition-mqm-minority |newspaper=The Guardian |location=UK |date=2 January 2011 |access-date=14 June 2011 |first=Saeed |last=Shah}}</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.<ref group="election">In Pakistan, a government falls not by losing a majority but after a [[no-confidence vote]].</ref><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>{{cite news |title=Pakistan: Austerity cabinet begins |author=Masood, Salman |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/12/world/asia/12briefs-Pakistan.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=11 February 2011 |access-date=15 June 2011}}</ref>

===Foreign policy===

====Relationship with India====
{{See also|Indo-Pakistani relations}}
In early October 2008, he received fierce domestic criticism for repeatedly calling [[Kashmir]]i nationalists (see [[Kashmir conflict]]) in India "terrorists".<ref>{{cite news | title = Fury over Zardari Kashmir comment |work=BBC News | date = 6 October 2008 | access-date =28 March 2011 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7654480.stm }}</ref><ref>
{{cite news |title=Kashmir separatists protest over Zardari's 'terrorist' comment |author=Shankhar, Jay |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aBiTqpRpJtG0 |publisher=Bloomberg L.P |date=7 October 2008 |access-date=28 March 2011}}</ref> In mid-November 2008, he suggested Pakistan was ready for a [[no-first-use]] [[Nuclear doctrine of Pakistan|nuclear policy]] and called for closer economic ties.<ref name="bloom1108"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan ready for nuclear no first use offer |author=Kuncheria, C. J. |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-pakistan-idUSTRE4AL27B20081122?pageNumber=1 |work=Reuters |date=22 November 2008 |access-date=9 April 2011}}</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>{{cite news |title=Pakistan not to blame for Mumbai attacks: Zardari |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-mumbai-zardari-idUSTRE4B20XP20081203 |work=Reuters |date=2 December 2008 |access-date=17 April 2011 |first=Eric |last=Beech}}</ref> but the government soon pursued military action against [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]] leaders in a 7 December raid.<ref>{{cite news |title=Zardari to India: Pause and take a breath |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/12/09/pakistan.india/index.html |agency=Time Warner |publisher=CNN |date=9 December 2008 |access-date=17 April 2011}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>
{{cite news |title=Zardari shelves tolerance amid Pakistan's aid needs (Update1) |author=Rupert, James |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive |publisher=Bloomberg L.P |date=10 December 2008 |access-date=17 April 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110412162620/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&| archive-date= 12 April 2011 | url-status= live}}</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">{{cite news | title = Pakistan and the Mumbai attack: The world's headache | magazine = The Economist |publisher=Economist Group | date = 4 December 2008 | access-date =7 May 2011 | url = http://www.economist.com/node/12724976 }}</ref> Zardari offered to send [[Inter-Services Intelligence]] [[Inter-Services Intelligence#Director Generals of the ISI|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>{{cite news |title=Indian and Pakistani leaders meet |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8102223.stm |work=BBC News |date=16 June 2009 |access-date=2 June 2011}}</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>{{cite news |url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2111446,00.html |title=Pakistan Chief Visits India on Low-Profile Trip |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120408202317/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2111446,00.html |archive-date=8 April 2012 |url-status=dead |magazine=Time}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2012/04/08/world/asia/pakistan-india-visit/|title=Pakistan's president visits India amid warming ties – CNN|last=Singh|first=Harmeet Shah|publisher=CNN|access-date=29 May 2018}}</ref>

====War in Afghanistan====
{{See also|Afghanistan–Pakistan relations}}
[[File:Joe Biden Zardari meeting.jpg|thumb|right|[[Vice President-Elect]] [[Joe Biden]] meets Zardari in January 2009]]
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>{{cite news |title=Good intentions:Zardari and Karzai show solidarity |url=http://www.newsweek.com/2008/09/09/good-intentions.html |work=Newsweek |date=9 September 2008 |access-date=21 May 2011}}</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>{{cite news |title= Afghanistan and Pakistan: One big problem |url=http://www.economist.com/node/13613469?story_id=E1_TPGTPQGJ |magazine=The Economist |publisher=Economist Group |date=7 May 2009 |access-date=21 May 2011}}</ref>

In his first visit to Afghanistan as president in early January 2009, Zardari promised a renewed relationship to improve cooperation.<ref>
{{cite news |title=Afghans, Pakistan fight militants together-Zardari |author=Burch, Jonathon |url=http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCATRE5055M420090106?pageNumber=1 |work=Reuters |date=6 January 2009 |access-date=22 May 2011}}</ref><ref>
{{cite news |title=Karzai sees new era with Pakistan |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7813763.stm |work=BBC News |date=6 January 2009 |access-date=22 May 2011}}</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>{{cite news |title=Can Pakistan meet strategy demands? |author=Jaffry, Nasir |url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/commentary/afp/2009/03/29/202096/Can-Pakistan.htm |newspaper=China Post |date=29 March 2009 |access-date=22 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Karzai in full agreement with Obama plan |author=Constable, Pamela |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/28/AR2009032801727.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=29 March 2009 |access-date=22 May 2011}}</ref> In late April, British prime minister [[Gordon Brown]] visited Zardari and promised $1 billion over the next four years.<ref>{{cite news |title=Brown takes new strategy to Afghanistan, Pakistan |author=Croft, Adrian |url=http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCATRE53Q1QD20090427?pageNumber=3 |agency=Reuters Canada |date=27 April 2009 |access-date=22 May 2011}}</ref> In May, Obama held a trilateral summit in Washington D.C., with Karzai and Zardari, where they discussed further cooperation.<ref>{{cite news |title=Obama pledges support to Zardari, Karzai |author=Ward, Jon |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/may/07/obama-pledges-support-to-zardari-karzai/?page=1 |newspaper=[[The Washington Times]] |location=Washington D.C. |agency= News World Communications |date=7 May 2009 |access-date=22 May 2011}}</ref> At [[Brussels]] in mid-June, Zardari unsuccessfully [[Pakistan–European Union relations|sought trade concessions]] from the [[European Union]]; it instead pledged $90 million development aid to curtail tribal influence by insurgents.<ref>{{cite news |title=EU vows Pakistan aid, Zardari seeks trade breaks |author=Brunnstrom, David |author2=Ennis, Darren |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/eu-pakistan-idINLH54199220090617 |agency= Reuters India |date=17 June 2009 |access-date=23 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=EU pledges $100m in aid to Pakistan |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2009/06/2009617153833916590.html |publisher= Al Jazeera|agency=Qatar Media Corporation|date=17 June 2009|access-date=23 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=EU gives $100m in aid to Pakistan |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8104502.stm |work=BBC News |date=17 June 2009 |access-date=23 May 2011}}</ref> After the [[United States Congress|U.S. Congress]] passed Obama's civilian aid package in October,<ref>{{cite news |title=U.S. Congress approves new restrictions on Pakistan aid |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/6411225/US-Congress-approves-new-restrictions-on-Pakistan-aid.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/6411225/US-Congress-approves-new-restrictions-on-Pakistan-aid.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=22 October 2009 |access-date=2 June 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Obama signs Pakistan aid bill |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2009/10/20091015175035949145.html |publisher=Al Jazeera |agency=Qatar Media Corporation |date=16 October 2009 |access-date=2 June 2011}}</ref> army generals in the Pakistani military establishment widened the growing rift with Zardari's government and openly criticised U.S. interference.<ref>{{cite news |title=Aid package from U.S. jolts Army in Pakistan |author=Perlez, Jane |author2=Khan, Ismail |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/08/world/asia/08pstan.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=7 October 2009 |access-date=2 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan's Army issues rare criticism of U.S. aid conditions |author=Qayum, Khalid |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=al9Q9FsX2HR4 |publisher=Bloomberg L.P |date=7 October 2009 |access-date=2 June 2011}}</ref>
[[File:P050609PS-0531 (3508804772).jpg|thumb|left|[[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 [[Sharia|Islamic law]] in [[Swat, Pakistan|Swat]] to achieve a ceasefire with the northwestern [[Pashtun tribes]].<ref name="digest">{{cite news |title=World digest: Zardari authorizes Swat Valley law |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/13/AR2009041302992.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=14 April 2009 |access-date=21 May 2011}}</ref> Because the United States and Britain opposed the measure,<ref>{{cite news |title=Interview: Pakistan diplomat faults U.S. strategy |author=Croft, Adrian |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLO233649 |work= Reuters |date=24 April 2009 |access-date=21 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Peace in peril, but Pakistan says don't 'panic' |author=Toosi, Nahal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/feedarticle/8476963 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=UK |date=27 April 2009 |access-date=21 May 2011}}</ref> Zardari did not sign the Swat ceasefire until mid-April, when domestic pressure from [[Parliament of Pakistan|Parliament]] mounted.<ref name="digest"/> By the end of April, the agreement collapsed as the Pakistani military pursued an unpopular offensive in the neighbouring [[Lower Dir District|Dir]] district.<ref>{{cite news |title=Peace in peril, but Pakistan says don't 'panic' |newspaper=The Guardian |location=UK |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/feedarticle/8477658 |date=28 April 2009 |access-date=23 May 2011}}</ref><ref name="bare_url">{{cite news |title=Q.A.: Likely fallout if Pakistan takes Fight to Swat's Taliban |author=Haider, Zeeshan |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2009/04/28/idUKISL121098._CH_.2420 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018020945/http://uk.reuters.com/article/2009/04/28/idUKISL121098._CH_.2420 |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 October 2012 |agency=Reuters UK|date=28 April 2009 |access-date=23 May 2011}}</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>
{{cite news |title=Seeking stability, Pakistani and Afghan meet |author=Gall, Carlotta |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/16/world/asia/16pstan.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=15 September 2010 |access-date=12 June 2011}}</ref> Zardari went to the United States in January 2011 to attend Special Envoy Holbrooke's funeral.<ref>{{cite news |title=Zardari under renewed criticism for trip overseas |author=Hussain, Zahid |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703889204576077682485174502 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |agency=News Corporation |date=14 January 2011 |access-date=14 June 2011}}</ref> Following [[Osama bin Laden's death]] in a [[Osama bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad|compound in Abbottabad]] in May 2011, Obama called Zardari and collaborated on the events.<ref>{{cite news|title=Obama's remarks on killing of Osama bin Laden |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/AP381c08299e3a45fa9f53a9429af7390c |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |agency=Associated Press |date=2 May 2011 |access-date=2 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514084435/http://online.wsj.com/article/AP381c08299e3a45fa9f53a9429af7390c.html |archive-date=14 May 2011 }}</ref>

===Reinstatement of the judiciary===
[[File:Zardari and Hillary clinton.jpg|thumb|Zardari and [[Hillary Clinton]]]]
In February 2009, Zardari and the Musharraf-appointed Supreme Court attempted to disqualify Nawaz Sharif from running in any elections<ref>
{{cite news |title=Pakistani court bars Sharif brothers from elections (Update1) |author=Qayum, Khalid |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive |publisher=Bloomberg L.P |date=25 February 2009 |access-date=9 May 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110510112949/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive| archive-date= 10 May 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref> and tried to force his brother [[Shahbaz Sharif]] to resign as [[Chief Minister of Punjab, Pakistan|Chief Minister]] of [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab province]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Zardari's party eyes power in key Pakistan province |author=Birsel, Robert |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-politics-sb-idUSTRE5200LY20090301 |work=Reuters |date=1 March 2009 |access-date=9 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pro-Sharif protests continue in Pakistani cities |author=Perlez, Jane |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/world/asia/27iht-27pstan.20473970.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=27 February 2009 |access-date=9 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan protesters hold rallies nationwide over Sharif ban |author=Qayum, Khalid |author2=Ahmed, Khaleeq |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive |publisher=Bloomberg L.P |date=27 February 2009 |access-date=9 May 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110510112949/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive| archive-date= 10 May 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref> Zardari dismissed the [[Government of Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab provincial government]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan's political rift may pose test for Obama |author=Perlez, Jane |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/28/world/asia/28pstan.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=27 February 2009 |access-date=9 May 2011}}</ref> and only partially reinstated the judiciary by restoring 56 other judges deposed by Musharraf—but not their former leader, [[Chief Justice of Pakistan|Chief Justice]] [[Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry|Iftikhar Chaudhry]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Sharif supporters protest court ruling |author=Masood, Azhar |url=http://archive.arabnews.com/?page=4§ion=0&article=119668&d=27&m=2&y=2009 |newspaper=Arab News |publisher=Saudi Research & Publishing Company |agency=Saudi Research & Marketing Group |date=27 February 2009 |access-date=9 May 2011 }}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>
{{cite news |title=Pakistan's politics: Just like the bad old days |url=http://www.economist.com/node/13185757?story_id=13185757 |magazine=The Economist |publisher=Economist Group |date=26 February 2009 |access-date=9 May 2011}}</ref> After Nawaz Sharif defied house arrest and rallied with thousands of his supporters,<ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan ex-PM ignores 'arrest' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7944527.stm |work=BBC News |date=15 March 2009 |access-date=9 May 2011}}</ref> the Sharif brothers vowed to join forces with the [[Lawyers' Movement]] in the "[[Pakistan Long March|Long March]]".<ref name="camenorton">{{cite news |title=Q.A.: Why is Judge Chaudhry so important in Pakistan? |author=Cameron-Moore, Simon |author2=Norton, Jerry |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSISL473361 |work=Reuters |date=15 March 2009 |access-date=9 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan PM to address nation as crisis nears climax |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLF192595 |work=Reuters |date=15 March 2009 |access-date=9 May 2011}}</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 [[Suspension of Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry|promised to reinstate Chaudhry]] by 21 March.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan leader backs down and reinstates top judge |author=Perlez, Jane |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/world/asia/16pstan.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=15 March 2009 |access-date=9 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan: Deposed chief justice to be reinstated |url=http://www.newsweek.com/2009/03/15/last-minute-reversal.html |work=Newsweek |date=16 March 2009 |access-date=9 May 2011}}</ref> Ten judges were reinstated on 16 March, and Chaudry assumed his position on 22 March.<ref>{{cite news |title=New elections chief in Pakistan |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7949913.stm |work=BBC News |date=18 March 2009 |access-date=16 May 2011}}</ref><ref name="tighe"/> Zardari's month-long direct control of the Punjab ended on 30 March.<ref name="concession">{{cite news |title=Pakistan's President praises Obama and offers new concession to the opposition |author=Perlez, Jane |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/29/world/asia/29pstan.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=29 March 2009 |access-date=22 May 2011}}</ref><ref name="tighe">{{cite news |title=Gilani says government will end its rule in Pakistan's Punjab |author=Tighe, Paul |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive |publisher=Bloomberg L.P |date=17 March 2009 |access-date=16 May 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110512043930/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&| archive-date= 12 May 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Terrorism in Pakistan: Attack on the academy |magazine=The Economist |publisher=Economist Group|url=http://www.economist.com/node/13399089?story_id=13399089 |date=30 March 2009 |access-date=16 May 2011}}</ref>

===Nizam-e-Adl Regulation===
{{further|Nizam-e-Adl Regulation 2009}}

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>[http://www.geo.tv/4-13-2009/39783.htm President signs Nizam-e-Adl Regulation: Presidency] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719070204/http://www.geo.tv/4-13-2009/39783.htm |date=19 July 2013 }}. GEO.tv (13 April 2009). Retrieved 12 July 2013.</ref>

===Reduction of presidential powers===
{{See also|Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan}}
In late November 2009, Zardari ceded to Prime Minister Gillani the chairmanship of the [[National Command Authority (Pakistan)|National Command Authority]], [[Pakistan and weapons of mass destruction|Pakistan's nuclear arsenal]] oversight agency.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari removed himself from nuclear chain of command, transferring his authority to the Prime Minister |author=Schifrin, Nick |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/pakistans-zardari-takes-finger-off-nuclear-trigger/story?id=9196002 |publisher=The Walt Disney Company |date=28 November 2009 |access-date=3 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Zardari transfers control of nuclear weapons to Prime Minister |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/nov/29/pakistan-zardari-nuclear-weapons |newspaper=The Guardian |location=UK |date=29 November 2009 |access-date=3 June 2011}}</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>{{cite news |title=Pakistani court throws out amnesty for Zardari, allies |author=Haider, Zeeshan |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-amnesty-idUSTRE5BF33320091216 |work=Reuters |date=16 December 2009 |access-date=29 May 2011}}</ref> Although Zardari had immunity from prosecution because he was president,<ref name="offshore">
{{cite news |title=Pakistan court focuses on President Zardari's offshore riches |author=Perlez, Jane |author2=Masood, Salman |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/16/world/asia/16zardari.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=29 May 2011 |access-date=29 May 2011}}</ref> the end of NRO and his earlier corruption cases challenged the legality of his presidency.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan court hears challenge to corruption amnesty |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8400432.stm |work=BBC News |date=7 December 2009 |access-date=29 May 2011}}</ref> Calls for his resignation escalated.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan party demands Zardari resignation |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8417561.stm |work=BBC News |date=17 December 2009 |access-date=3 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Opposition calls on Zardari to quit |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2009/12/2009121765458321966.html |publisher= Al Jazeera |agency=Qatar Media Corporation |date=18 December 2009 |access-date=3 June 2011}}</ref> Zardari, who rarely left the [[Aiwan-e-Sadr]] presidential palace,<ref name="floodA">{{cite news |title=Zardari's heavy political baggage |author=Bennett-Jones, Owen |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8889000/8889056.stm |work=BBC News |date=6 August 2010 |access-date=9 June 2011}}</ref> responded with a nationwide spurt of speeches in January 2011.<ref>{{cite news |title=Memo from Islamabad: Zardari stages comeback, but effect on Pakistan is unclear |author=Tavernise, Sabrina |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/21/world/asia/21pstan.htm |newspaper=The New York Times |date=20 January 2010 |access-date=3 June 2011}}</ref> In January 2010, the Supreme Court ordered Pakistan's government to reopen Zardari's corruption charges in Switzerland.<ref>{{cite news |title=Court tells government to prosecute Zardari |author=Masood, Azhar |url=http://archive.arabnews.com/?page=4 |newspaper=Arab News |location=Jeddah |publisher=Saudi Research & Publishing Company |agency=Saudi Research & Marketing Group |date=20 January 2010 |access-date=6 June 2011 }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Reopening of Zardari case ordered |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2010/03/2010331101630560390.html |publisher=Al Jazeera |agency=Qatar Media Corporation |date=31 March 2010 |access-date=6 June 2011}}</ref> However, Zardari prevented the MQM-leaning [[Attorney General of Pakistan|Attorney General]], Anwar Mansoor, from filing charges,<ref>
{{cite news |title=Pakistan attorney general resigns |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/world/pakistan-attorney-general-resigns-14753988.html |newspaper=The Belfast Telegraph |agency=Independent News & Media |date=3 April 2010 |access-date=6 June 2011}}</ref> so Mansoor resigned in protest in early April.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan's Attorney General resigns |author=Maqbool, Aleem |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8601384.stm |work=BBC News |date=3 April 2010 |access-date=6 June 2011}}</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 [[immunity from prosecution (international law)|presidential immunity]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Asif Zardari wins fight against corruption case in Switzerland |author=Crilly, Rob |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/7582159/Asif-Zardari-wins-fight-against-corruption-case-in-Switzerland.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/7582159/Asif-Zardari-wins-fight-against-corruption-case-in-Switzerland.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=12 April 2010 |access-date=6 June 2011 |location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>
{{cite news |title=Swiss say legal immunity protects Pakistani leader |author=Khan, Zarar |url=http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9EPN6080.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102035244/http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9EPN6080.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 November 2012 |magazine=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]] |agency=Bloomberg L.P |access-date=6 June 2011}}</ref> Zardari was supported by Prime Minister Gilani, who defied the Supreme Court order.<ref>{{cite news |title=Q.A.: Is Pakistan's government hanging in the balance? |author=Haider, Kamran |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-politics-idUSTRE68Q36O20100927 |work=Reuters |date=27 September 2010 |access-date=13 June 2011}}</ref>

In February 2010, Zardari sparked a standoff by attempting to appoint a Supreme Court candidate without the court's approval,<ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan's lawyers strike over judicial appointments made by President Zardari |author=Brulliard, Karin |author2=Hussain, Shaiq |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/15/AR2010021503410.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=16 February 2010 |access-date=7 June 2011}}</ref> but the confrontation ended after he backed down and nominated a candidate acceptable by the court.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistani backs down in conflict with judge |author=Tavernise, Sabrina |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/18/world/asia/18pstan.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=18 February 2010 |access-date=7 June 2011}}</ref>

In April 2010, after months of political pressure, the government passed the [[Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan|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">
{{cite news |title=Pakistan's President Zardari closer to losing powers |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-South-Central/2010/0401/Pakistan-s-President-Zardari-closer-to-losing-powers |newspaper=The Christian Science Monitor |date=1 April 2010 |access-date=7 June 2011}}</ref><ref name="mohsinz">{{cite news |title=Pakistan President Asif Zardari gives up constitutional powers |author=Mohsin, Saima |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/7545477/Pakistan-president-Asif-Zardari-gives-up-constitutional-powers.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/7545477/Pakistan-president-Asif-Zardari-gives-up-constitutional-powers.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=1 April 2010|access-date=7 June 2011}}{{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">{{cite news |title=Pakistani MPs do away with Zardari's crucial powers |author=Haider, Kamran |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-politics-reforms-idUSTRE6373CF20100408 |work=Reuters |date=8 April 2010 |access-date=8 June 2011}}</ref> and Zardari himself espoused the legislation because of political pressure.<ref name="mohsinz"/><ref name="larod">{{cite news |title=Pakistan moves to roll back presidential powers |author=Rodriguez, Alex |url=http://articles.latimes.com/2010/apr/02/world/la-fg-pakistan-zardari3-2010apr03 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=2 April 2010 |access-date=8 June 2011}}</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>{{cite news |title=Pakistan court considers Zardari immunity |author=Hussain, Zahid |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704760704575515823634846184 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |agency=News Corporation|date=26 September 2010 |access-date=13 June 2011}}</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>{{cite news |title=Conflict brews between Pakistani President, Supreme Court |author=Rodriguez, Alex |url=http://articles.latimes.com/2010/oct/16/world/la-fg-pakistan-courts-20101016 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=16 October 2010 |access-date=13 June 2011}}</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>{{cite news |title=Pakistan's populist judges: Courting trouble |url=http://www.economist.com/node/18114729 |magazine=The Economist |publisher=Economist Group |date=10 February 2011 |access-date=13 June 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110719072720/http://www.economist.com/node/18114729| archive-date= 19 July 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Assent given to 19th Amendment: Move to ignite clash between institutions foiled: Zardari |author=Rahman, Shamim |url=http://www.dawn.com/2011/01/02/assent-given-to-19th-amendment-move-to-ignite-clash-between-institutions-foiled-zardari.html |newspaper=Dawn |date=1 January 2011 |access-date=13 June 2011}}</ref>

In March 2011, Zardari delivered his annual parliamentary address to a half-empty chamber because of an opposition walkout.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan's President vows again to fight extremism |author=Gall, Carlotta |author2=Masood, Salman |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/23/world/asia/23pakistan.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=22 March 2011 |access-date=15 June 2011}}</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>{{Cite news|url=http://post.jagran.com/Zardari-graft-case-Swiss-authorities-yet-to-respond-to-Pak-governments-letter-1355303314|title=Zardari graft case: Swiss authorities yet to respond to Pak government's letter|work=Jagran Post|access-date=29 May 2018}}</ref> The Swiss government responded by saying that the corruption cases being time-barred cannot be reopened.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-105855-Switzerland-refuses-to-reopen-graft-cases-against-President-Zardari|title=Switzerland refuses to reopen graft cases against President Zardari|website=The News International}}</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 [[Pakistan–United Kingdom relations|diplomatic row with Pakistan]] during his visit to India<ref>
{{cite news |title=Miliband condemns Pakistan comments |agency=Independent News & Media |newspaper=The Belfast Telegraph|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/pakistan-tries-to-calm-cameron-row-14895048.html |date=31 July 2010 |access-date=9 June 2011}}</ref> by stating that elements within Pakistan were promoting the "export of terror" a week before a planned visit by Zardari to Britain.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cameron sparks diplomatic row with Pakistan after 'export of terror' remarks |author=Dodd, Vikram |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/jul/28/david-cameron-india-pakistan-terror |newspaper=The Guardian |location=UK |date=28 July 2010 |access-date=8 June 2011}}</ref><ref name="telecame"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan plays down David Cameron's terror comments |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10829159 |work=BBC News |date=31 July 2010 |access-date=9 June 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110520124420/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10829159| archive-date= 20 May 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref> Zardari ignored domestic pressure<ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan President heading to UK for talks despite criticism |url=http://articles.cnn.com/2010-08-01/world/pakistan.uk_1_pakistani-military-official-pakistan-president-pakistan-s-inter-services-intelligence |agency=Time Warner |publisher=CNN |date=1 August 2010 |access-date=9 June 2011}}{{dead link|date=April 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan summons UK envoy over Cameron's comments |author=Croft, Adrian |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-britain-diplomat-idUSTRE6711JW20100802 |work=Reuters |date=2 August 2010 |access-date=9 June 2011}}</ref> and began his European trip in Paris on 1 August, meeting French President [[Nicolas Sarkozy|Sarkozy]].<ref name="telecame">{{cite news |title=Pakistan PM hits back at David Cameron terror claim |author=Jamieson, Alastair |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/7920907/Pakistan-PM-hits-back-at-David-Cameron-terror-claim.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/7920907/Pakistan-PM-hits-back-at-David-Cameron-terror-claim.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=1 August 2010 |access-date=9 June 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan President to visit Britain amid terror row |author=Allbritton, Chris |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-pakistan-britain-idUKTRE66U0NV20100801 |agency=Reuters UK |date=1 August 2010 |access-date=9 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sarkozy urges Pakistan leader to ramp up terror fight |author=Guernigou, Yann Le |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-pakistan-idUSTRE6714FQ20100802 |work=Reuters |date=2 August 2010 |access-date=11 June 2011}}</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>{{cite news |title=Afghan War is being lost, Pakistani President says |author=Burns, John F. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/04/world/europe/04britain.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=3 August 2010 |access-date=10 June 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110512223916/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/04/world/europe/04britain.html| archive-date= 12 May 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan's Zardari says war with Taliban being lost |url=http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCATRE6721R820100803?pageNumber=1 |agency=Reuters Canada |date=3 August 2010 |access-date=9 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=War against Taliban 'being lost' says Zardari |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-10853676 |work=BBC News |date=3 August 2010 |access-date=10 June 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110520074953/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-10853676| archive-date= 20 May 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref> As the flood's devastation became increasingly evident, he was widely criticised for flying in a helicopter to his [[Normandy]] chateau<ref>{{cite news |title=Zardari chateau: Pakistani leader attempts damage control after European trip during disaster |author=Rodriguez, Alex |url=http://articles.latimes.com/2010/aug/16/world/la-fg-pakistan-floods-zardari-20100817 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date= 16 August 2010 |access-date=9 June 2011}}</ref><ref name="floodshah">{{cite news |title=Pakistan floods: Army steps into breach as anger grows at Zardari |author=Shah, Saeed |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/aug/08/pakistan-floods-army-popular-zardari-anger |newspaper=The Guardian |location=UK |date=8 August 2010 |access-date=9 June 2011}}</ref><ref name="floodeco">{{cite news |title=Blighted Pakistan: Swamped, bruised and resentful|url=http://www.economist.com/node/16743369 |magazine=The Economist |publisher=Economist Group |date=5 August 2010 |access-date=9 June 2011}}</ref> and dining at Cameron's [[Chequers]] countryside home.<ref>{{cite news |title=Zardari's trip to Europe fuels resentment as Pakistan reels from deadly floods |author=Witte, Griff |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/06/AR2010080602855.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=6 August 2010 |access-date=9 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Cameron hails UK's 'unbreakable' bond with Pakistan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-10888976 |work=BBC News |date= 6 August 2010 |access-date=10 June 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110520124357/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-10888976| archive-date= 20 May 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Leaders of Britain and Pakistan smooth over frictions |author=Burns, John F. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/07/world/europe/07london.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=6 August 2010 |access-date=10 June 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110611002357/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/07/world/europe/07london.html| archive-date= 11 June 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref> Protests within Britain, mainly among the [[British Pakistani]] community, grew against his visit.<ref>{{cite news |title=Protests greet Pakistan President |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/uk/protests-greet-pakistan-president-14900752.html |newspaper=The Belfast Telegraph |date=7 August 2010 |access-date=11 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan President Zardari arrives in London, sparring with Cameron continues |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/terrorism-security/2010/0804/Pakistan-President-Zardari-arrives-in-London-sparring-with-Cameron-continues |newspaper=The Christian Science Monitor |date=4 August 2010 |access-date=9 June 2011}}</ref> The widely expected maiden speech by his son Bilawal was cancelled,<ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan's Bhutto cancels plans to attend UK rally |first=Myra |last=MacDonald |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-pakistan-britain-bhutto-idUKTRE67453X20100805|agency=Reuters UK |date=5 August 2010 |access-date=11 June 2011}}</ref> as Zardari faced criticism for using the trip to advance Bilawal's political aspirations.<ref name="pelted">{{cite news |title=Pakistan's President Zardari is pelted with shoes at Birmingham rally |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/7932304/Pakistans-President-Zardari-is-pelted-with-shoes-at-Birmingham-rally.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/7932304/Pakistans-President-Zardari-is-pelted-with-shoes-at-Birmingham-rally.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=7 August 2010 |access-date=11 June 2011 |first=Colin |last=Freeman}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Zardari returned to Pakistan on 10 August.<ref name="marktran1">{{cite news |title=Pakistan President visits flooded regions as official response criticised |first=Mark |last=Tran |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/aug/12/pakistan-president-flood-response-criticised |newspaper=The Guardian |location=UK |date= 12 August 2010 |access-date=11 June 2011}}</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 (Pakistan)|Independence Day]] celebrations and instead visited [[Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Naushera]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Cholera in Pakistan as Prime Minister says 20 million affected by floods |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/7945745/Cholera-in-Pakistan-as-Prime-Minister-says-20-million-affected-by-floods.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/7945745/Cholera-in-Pakistan-as-Prime-Minister-says-20-million-affected-by-floods.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=14 August 2010 |access-date=12 June 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He flew over devastated areas with United Nations [[Secretary-General of the United Nations|Secretary-General]] [[Ban Ki-moon]] on 15 August.<ref>{{cite news |title=U.N. chief urges donations to Pakistan |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/16/world/asia/16pstan.html |newspaper=The New York Times |agency= Associated Press|date=15 August 2010 |access-date=11 June 2011}}</ref> He left the country on 18 August and attended the four-way Russian summit at [[Sochi]], which included [[Tajikistan]] and Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite news |title=Karzai says Afghanistan needs Russia's support |first=Denis |last=Dyomkin |url=http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCATRE67H1HI20100818 |agency=Reuters Canada |date=18 August 2010 |access-date=12 June 2011}}</ref> On 19 August, he visited [[Jampur]] with U.S. [[United States Senate|Senator]] [[John Kerry]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Zardari: Terrorists could exploit Pakistan flood |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/08/19/world/main6787571.shtml |work=CBS News |date=20 August 2010 |access-date=12 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Floods in Pakistan carry the seeds of upheaval |first=Carlotta |last=Gall |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/06/world/asia/06pstan.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=5 September 2010 |access-date=12 June 2011}}</ref> He ordered local authorities to concentrate efforts to save [[Shahdadkot]] from inundation on 24 August.<ref>{{cite news |title=Floods in Pakistan pour south |first=Carlotta |last=Gall |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/24/world/asia/24pstan.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=23 August 2010 |access-date=12 June 2011}}</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>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/dec/13/zardari-stroke-bilawal-power-pakistan |author=Jason Burke| title=Zardari treated for stroke as son Bilawal is groomed for power in Pakistan|work=The Guardian |location=UK |date=13 December 2011| access-date=14 December 2011}}</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>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/8956919/Pakistan-president-Asif-Ali-Zardari-went-to-Dubai-because-of-threats-to-his-life.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/8956919/Pakistan-president-Asif-Ali-Zardari-went-to-Dubai-because-of-threats-to-his-life.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|
title=Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari went to Dubai 'because of threats to his life'|work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK|date=14 December 2011|access-date=14 December 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He finds himself currently in the midst of the [[Memogate (Pakistan)|"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>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/pakistans-president-to-be-discharged-from-dubai-hospital-rest-at-home/2011/12/14/gIQAQVowtO_story.html| author=Simon Denyer |title=Pakistan's Zardari leaves Dubai hospital |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=14 December 2011 |access-date=14 December 2011}}</ref>
By 19 December, Zardari had returned to Pakistan.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/dec/19/asif-ali-zardari-return-pakistan| agency=Reuters |title=Asif Ali Zardari returns to Pakistan| work=The Guardian, UK |date=19 December 2011 |access-date=2 January 2012 |location=London}}</ref>

=== China Pakistan Economic Corridor ===
Pakistan and China on 22 May 2013 inked several Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) that mainly included the long-term Economic Corridor plan, maritime cooperation and satellite navigation.
President Asif Ali 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 Chinese Premier Li Keqiang marked the signing of important documents aimed at long-term cooperation between the two countries in multiple areas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nihao-salam.com/news-detail.php?id=Mzk5NA==|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311130159/http://www.nihao-salam.com/news-detail.php?id=Mzk5NA==|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 March 2023|title=Pakistan, China sign agreements, MoUs on Economic Corridor Plan, maritime cooperation|last=Salam|first=Nihao|website=www.nihao-salam.com|access-date=18 May 2017}}</ref>

==Completion of presidential tenure==
Zardari completed his five-year term on 8 September 2013,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/pakistani-president-asif-ali-zardari-set-to-step-down-at-end-of-fiveyear-term-8803638.html | location=London | work=The Independent | title=Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari set to step down at end of five-year term | date=8 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/sep/8/pakistani-president-asif-ali-zardari-steps-down-hi/|title=Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari steps down as his term ends |work=The Washington Times}}</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>{{Cite news|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/601554/with-guard-of-honour-president-zardari-steps-down/|title=With guard of honour, President Zardari steps down – The Express Tribune|date=8 September 2013|work=The Express Tribune|access-date=29 May 2018}}</ref> He was succeeded by Mamnoon Hussain as president.<ref>{{cite news|last=PTI|title=Asif Ali Zardari steps down as Pakistan's President|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/asif-ali-zardari-steps-down-as-pakistans-president/articleshow/22417097.cms|access-date=9 September 2013|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=9 September 2013}}</ref>

==Post-presidency==
He became active in the [[Pakistan Peoples Party|PPP]], which he voted to revamp, after his presidency.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1032993|title=Zardari vows to revamp PPP after presidential tenure|last=Mahmood|first=AFP {{!}} Asif|date=30 July 2013|work=Dawn|location=Pakistan|access-date=29 May 2018}}</ref> He succeeded [[Ameen Faheem]] as chairman of [[Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians|PPPP]] in 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1229144|title=Zardari to become president of PPP Parliamentarians|last=Correspondent|first=The Newspaper's|date=28 December 2015|work=Dawn|location=Pakistan|access-date=29 May 2018}}</ref> In December 2016, he announced that both he and his son [[Bilawal Bhutto Zardari|Bilawal]], would contest the 2018 general election.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.hindustantimes.com/world-news/ex-president-asif-zardari-and-son-bilawal-to-contest-parliamentary-elections/story-AusiaoNedsagu5MxgBd7KJ.html |title=Ex-president Asif Zardari and son Bilawal to contest parliamentary elections |work=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=27 December 2016 }}</ref>

In July 2017, during the investigation of [[Panama Papers case]], Zardari demanded [[Nawaz Sharif]]'s resignation.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://m.economictimes.com/news/international/world-news/quit-and-face-graft-charges-like-a-lion-zardari-to-sharif/articleshow/59477222.cms|title=Quit and face graft charges 'like a lion': Ex Pak PM Zardari to Nawaz Sharif |newspaper=The Economic Times |access-date= 2 August 2017}}</ref> In August 2017, Pakistan's anti-corruption 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>{{Cite news|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/world-news/pakistan-court-quashes-corruption-case-against-asif-ali-zardari/826909/|title=Pakistan court quashes corruption case against Asif Ali Zardari|date=27 August 2017|work=The Financial Express|access-date=29 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://m.ndtv.com/world-news/pakistan-court-acquits-asif-ali-zardari-in-corruption-case-1742433|title=Pakistan Court Acquits Asif Ali Zardari in Nearly 2-Decade Old Corruption Case|work=NDTV.com|access-date=29 May 2018}}</ref> His rival [[Imran Khan]] believed that Zardari's acquittal was the result of a deal between [[PML-N]] and [[Pakistan Peoples Party|PPP]]. However he denied any kind of collaboration.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1494144/ive-acquitted-long-legal-battle-not-settlement-zardari/|title=Zardari dismisses talk of deal in his acquittal – The Express Tribune|date=29 August 2017|work=The Express Tribune|access-date=29 May 2018}}</ref> [[National Accountability Bureau|The National Accountability Bureau]] also challenged the acquittal.<ref>[https://www.dawn.com/news/1356600 'Tremendous evidence available': NAB files appeal against Zardari's acquittal in assets case] ''Dawn''</ref> On 2 September, after his wife's murder case verdict which declared [[Pervez Musharraf]] as fugitive and convicted two senior police officer, he said that he was not satisfied with the verdict and that he will appeal the judgment as it had acquitted five Pakistani Taliban suspects.<ref>[http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/world-will-appeal-against-benazir-bhutto-murder-case-verdict-says-asif-ali-zardari-399494 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>{{cite web |title=Asif Ali Zardari: Former Pakistan President Zardari arrested |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/world-asia-48584887 |website=BBC News |access-date=15 May 2020 |date=10 June 2019}}</ref> An anti-graft court issued an indictment of Zardari on corruption charges on 10 August 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Haider |first1=Kamran |title=Pakistan Court Indicts Ex-President Zardari in Graft Case |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-10/pakistan-court-indicts-ex-president-zardari-in-graft-case |access-date=27 August 2020 |work=Bloomberg |date=10 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bolnews.com/pakistan/2020/09/nab-court-indicts-asif-ali-zardari-and-faryal-talpur-in-corruption-references/|title=NAB Court Indicts Asif Ali Zardari And Faryal Talpur In Corruption References|work=BOL News|access-date=26 September 2020}}</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 Bhutto Zardari|Bakhtawar]], was born on 25 January 1990,<ref>{{cite news |title=Good luck charm |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=K-VPAAAAIBAJ&pg=5050,59205 |newspaper=[[Times-News (Hendersonville, North Carolina)|Times-News]] |location=Hendersonville, North Carolina |date=1 February 1990 |access-date=15 July 2011}}</ref> and his younger daughter, Aseefa, was born on 3 February 1993.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ex-Prime Minister's husband out on bail |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hQVZAAAAIBAJ&pg=4174,783978 |newspaper=Kingman Daily Miner |location=Kingman, Arizona |date=7 February 1993 |access-date=24 July 2011}}</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>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7165052.stm|title=Profile: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari|work=BBC News|date=30 December 2007 |access-date=17 July 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110715133948/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7165052.stm| archive-date= 15 July 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0517/p01s04-wosc.html |title=No grand return for Pakistan's Bhutto |author=Koster, Suzanna |work=[[The Christian Science Monitor]] |date=17 May 2007 |access-date=18 July 2011 }}</ref>

His mother died in November 2002, during his detention in jail.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/66533|title=Death of Asif's mother condoled|date=13 November 2002|work=Dawn|location=Pakistan|access-date=29 May 2018}}</ref> His father Hakim Ali Zardari died in May 2011.<ref name="gulfchief">{{cite news|first=Mohsin|last=Ali|title=Bilawal to head Zardari tribe | url=http://gulfnews.com/news/world/pakistan/bilawal-to-head-zardari-tribe-1.814251 |location=Manama, Bahrain | newspaper=Gulf Daily News |date=29 May 2011 |access-date=24 July 2011}}</ref> After that he became the chieftain of the [[Zardari (tribe)|Zardari tribe]]. However, initially he had decided not to assume leadership and wanted to pass the position to his son Bilawal.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/814528/dastar-bandi-zardari-takes-over-as-chief-of-his-own-tribe/|title=Dastar bandi: Zardari takes over as chief of his own tribe – The Express Tribune|date=30 December 2014|work=The Express Tribune|access-date=29 May 2018}}</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 [[Sufism|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 (Sufism)|Pir]] Mohammad Ejaz, about such matters as travel times, and animals were sacrificed during particularly trying periods.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-01-15 |title=Asif Zardari visits spiritual scholar Prof Ahmad Akhter Rafique |url=https://nation.com.pk/16-Jan-2019/asif-zardari-visits-spiritual-scholar-prof-ahmad-akhter-rafique |access-date=2023-07-09 |website=The Nation |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Raja |first=Farrah Karamat |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L9vXAAAAMAAJ |title=Prof. Ahmad Rafique Akhtar: Mystery Behind the Mystic |date=2000 |publisher=Sang-e-Meel Publication |isbn=978-969-35-1160-4 |language=en}}</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>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/sep/29/3|title=Text: interview with Asif Ali Zardari |work = [[The Guardian]] |date= 29 December 2000 | access-date= 2 August 2017}}</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"/>

===Wealth===
In 2005, ''[[Daily Pakistan]]'' reported he was the [[List of Pakistanis by net worth|second richest man in Pakistan]] with an estimated net worth of $1.8 billion.<ref>{{cite news|last=Malik |first=Salik |url=http://www.daily.pk/president-asif-ali-zardari-2nd-most-richest-man-of-pakistan-6666/ |title=President Asif Ali Zardari 2nd most richest man of Pakistan |newspaper=Daily Pakistan |access-date=29 July 2011 |date=26 October 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113183927/http://www.daily.pk/president-asif-ali-zardari-2nd-most-richest-man-of-pakistan-6666/ |archive-date=13 January 2012}}</ref> He amassed great wealth while his wife was prime minister.<ref name="nyarrest"/> In 2007, he received $60 million in 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">{{cite news | author = Borger, Julian | title = Asif Ali Zardari: 'His elevation will turn off floating voters. It will hurt the party' |newspaper=The Guardian |location=UK| date = 31 December 2007 | access-date =19 March 2011 | url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/dec/31/pakistan.topstories33 }}</ref><ref name="nyarrest"/> as well as 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, Pakistan|Karachi]], [[Lahore, Pakistan|Lahore]], and [[Islamabad, Pakistan|Islamabad]] are called Bilawal House I,<ref>{{cite news|author=Burns, John F.| title=The Bhutto Millions: A background check far from ordinary| newspaper= The New York Times| date=9 January 1998| access-date=1 March 2011| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/09/world/the-bhutto-millions-a-background-check-far-from-ordinary.html}}</ref> Bilawal House II,<ref name="noreturn">{{cite news | author = Khan, Aamer Ahmed | title = No grand return for Zardari |work=BBC News |access-date=30 July 2011 |date = 6 April 2005 |url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4451823.stm  }}</ref> and Zardari House<ref>{{cite news| title=Pakistan's Sharif barred from election|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/315267/1/.html | location = Singapore| publisher=Channel NewsAsia | date=3 December 2007 |access-date=24 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://archive.today/20110628194541/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/315267/1/.html |archive-date= 28 June 2011}}</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 no one paid the bills for the work on the unoccupied mansion.<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"/> {{As of |2008|11}}, the proceeds were in a liquidator bank account while a civil case continues.<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">{{cite news|first=Alastair| last=Lawson| date=10 December 1999| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/558545.stm| title='Surrey Palace' saga for Benazir|work=BBC News| access-date=6 June 2009}}</ref> The manor has nine bedrooms and an indoor swimming pool.<ref name="hopkins">{{cite news | first=Nick | last=Hopkins | title=Pakistan lays claim to Surrey Mansion|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/apr/06/benazirbhutto|newspaper=The Guardian |location=UK | date=6 April 2010 |access-date=24 July 2011}}</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>{{cite news | first=Dean | last=Nelson | title= Call to question President Zardari over art theft claims| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/7925461/Call-to-question-President-Zardari-over-art-theft-claims.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/7925461/Call-to-question-President-Zardari-over-art-theft-claims.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | location = London | newspaper=The Daily Telegraph | date=3 August 2010 |access-date=24 July 2011}}{{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"/>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Pakistan|Biography|Politics}}
* [[Singapore Airlines Flight 117]], the hijackers demanded Zardari's release

== Notes ==
<references group="election"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Asif Ali Zardari}}
{{Wikiquote|Asif Ali Zardari}}
*{{C-SPAN|1032297}}
*{{Charlie Rose view|6650}}

===Works===
*[https://www.un.org/ga/63/generaldebate/pakistan.shtml President Zardari's 2008 address to the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly]
*[https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/09/opinion/09zardari.html ''The Terrorists Want to Destroy Pakistan, Too'']
*[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/27/AR2009012702675.html ''Partnership With Pakistan'']
*[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123612594791323985 ''Pakistan Is Steadfast Against Terror'']
*[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704680804574620411590579566 ''"Democracy Is the Greatest Revenge"'']
*[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704388504575419632502446788 ''Pakistan's Project of Renewal'']
*[https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/pakistan-did-its-part/2011/05/02/AFHxmybF_story.html ''Pakistan Did Its Part'']

{{s-start}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Benazir Bhutto]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Co-Chairman of the [[Pakistan Peoples Party]]|years=2007–2015|alongside=[[Bilawal Bhutto Zardari]]}}
{{s-vac}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Ameen Faheem]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=President of the [[Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians]]|years=2015–present}}
{{s-inc}} 
|-
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Muhammad Mian Soomro]]<br />{{small|Acting}}}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[President of Pakistan]]|years=2008–2013}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Mamnoon Hussain]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Bhuttoism}}
{{Asif Ali Zardari}}
{{Presidents of Pakistan}}
{{Pakistan People's Party}}
{{Authority control}}

{{good article}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zardari, Asif Ali}}
[[Category:Asif Ali Zardari| ]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1955 births]]
[[Category:Baloch politicians]]
[[Category:Bhutto family]]
[[Category:BOL Network people]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Sindh]]
[[Category:Cadet College Petaro alumni]]
[[Category:Federal ministers of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Heads of government who were later imprisoned]]
[[Category:Karachi Grammar School alumni]]
[[Category:Members of the Senate of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Overturned convictions in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Pakistan People's Party politicians]]
[[Category:Pakistani industrialists]]
[[Category:Pakistani democracy activists]]
[[Category:Pakistani exiles]]
[[Category:Pakistani expatriates in the United Arab Emirates]]
[[Category:Pakistani investors]]
[[Category:Pakistani landowners]]
[[Category:Pakistani prisoners and detainees]]
[[Category:Pakistani real estate businesspeople]]
[[Category:Pakistani Shia Muslims]]
[[Category:Pakistani people convicted of tax crimes]]
[[Category:Pakistani people of Iranian descent]]
[[Category:Pakistani politicians convicted of corruption]]
[[Category:Pakistani actor-politicians]]
[[Category:Pakistani people of Iraqi descent]]
[[Category:People acquitted of corruption]]
[[Category:People convicted of money laundering]]
[[Category:People from Dubai]]
[[Category:People from Shaheed Benazir Abad District]]
[[Category:Presidents of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Pakistani people convicted of money laundering]]
[[Category:Spouses of prime ministers of Pakistan]]
[[Category:St. Patrick's High School, Karachi alumni]]
[[Category:Tumandars]]
[[Category:Zardari family|Asif]]
[[Category:Pakistan People's Party MNAs]]
[[Category:Pakistani MNAs 1988–1990]]
[[Category:Pakistani MNAs 1990–1993]]
[[Category:Pakistani MNAs 1993–1996]]
[[Category:Pakistani MNAs 2018–2023]]
[[Category:Pakistani criminals]]
[[Category:People from Karachi]]
{{Навигационная таблица/Портал/Английская Википедия}}
[[Категория:Английская Википедия]]
[[Категория:Википедия]]
[[Категория:Статья из Википедии]]
[[Категория:Статья из Английской Википедии]]