Minister for Foreign Affairs Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is currently in Japan on an official trip. His sister Aseefa Bhutto Zardari is also accompanying him. However, her presence has sparked controversy on social media.
Images of Aseefa Zardari meeting Japanese officials and also sitting in meetings went viral on social media. Netizens, including journalists and political figures, are questioning her participation despite holding no public office.
While family members accompanying politicians on official visits are not unheard of, Aseefa’s presence has garnered significant attention and triggered a wave of speculation.
Read more: PPP’s Aseefa Zardari distributes bananas to woo voters
Critics argue that Aseefa’s participation in such a high-level diplomatic endeavor raises concerns about nepotism and the potential for a blurred line between personal and official interests. Some question whether her presence serves any definite purpose or if it merely reinforces dynastic politics within the Bhutto family.
Furthermore, skeptics are questioning whether Aseefa Bhutto possesses the necessary qualifications or experience to be involved in diplomatic matters. While she has been an active member of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and has occasionally addressed political rallies, her role in international diplomacy remains unclear.
What’s Asifa doing in an official trip? pic.twitter.com/5056iRSAeF
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) July 2, 2023
رہنمائی درکار ہے کہ آصفہ بھٹو کس حیثیت میں جاپان کے سرکاری وزٹ اور ملاقاتوں میں شریک ہے؟ pic.twitter.com/UrYqcrcKLj
— Nadir Baloch (@BalochNadir5) July 2, 2023
Outraged by the blatant nepotism of Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto @BBhuttoZardari , taking his sister Aseefa @AseefaBZ on an official trip to Japan. It's an appalling misuse of taxpayer money and a clear display of favoritism. Such unethical practices erode public… pic.twitter.com/8B5V15BoMa
— Salman Shaikh (@SalmanShaikh_) July 2, 2023
سرکاری دورے پر بلاول اپنی بہن کو کس حیثیت میں لے کر گیا ہے؟ pic.twitter.com/2R6l40Gzah
— Arslan Baloch (@balochi5252) July 2, 2023
یہ ہیں ایک ایسے ملک کے وزیر خارجہ جس کی معیشت ڈیفالٹ کے دہانے پر ہے اور موصوف اپنی بہن سمیت ایک بڑے گروپ کے ہمراہ دنیا بھر کی سیر کرتے پھر رہے ہیں۔ جمہوری اقدار کا راگ الاپنے والے بلاول بتانا پسند کریں گے کہ آصفہ کس حیثیت سے بیرونی دوروں پر ان کے ہمراہ ہیں؟ دیوالیہ پن کے خدشے سے… pic.twitter.com/Uy4KVNs4kq
— Ali Awan (@AliAwanPTI) July 2, 2023
بلاول صاحب کے جاپان کے سرکاری دورہ میں محترمہ آصفہ بھٹو کا جانا اور وفد کے اہم فرد کے طور پر انکی تشہیر اور کوریج کس جمہوری اصول کے مطابق ہے۔ حکمرانی اور اقتدار کی مفت تربیت، سرکاری وفد کے طور پر عالمی دوروں کے ذریعے عالمی رہنماؤں اور اداروں سے اپنے تعلقات قائم کرنا اور پھر سیاست… pic.twitter.com/Wllmx0orgq
— Ameer Abbas (@ameerabbas84) July 2, 2023
Why Asifa Bhutto is with Fm of Pakistan @BBhuttoZardari on Japan official visit??? pic.twitter.com/qgBFCEfBci
— Ali Waqar (@aliwaqarsindhu) July 2, 2023
اس تصویر میں نیا کچھ نہیں۔
بادشاہتوں/ dynasties میں یہ ہوتا ہے کہ غلام قوم کے نئے آقاؤں کو اسی طرح قوم کے خرچوں پر تیار کیا جاتا ہے۔
اس ملک میں جمہوریت پر روز شب خون مارا جاتا ہے۔ پی پی ہو یا نون لیگ۔۔خاندان ہیں، ان کی شہزادیاں اور شہزادے ہیں، پارٹی کے سب لوگوں کی حیثیت درباریوں… pic.twitter.com/UIiPOJHQW6— Naeem ur Rehman (@NaeemRehmanEngr) July 2, 2023
On the other hand, PPP later clarified that since Aseefa Bhutto Zardari is a UN Ambassador for polio eradication, her presence is justified, mainly because Japan is an important stakeholder and supporter of a polio-free Pakistan.
Moreover, Aseefa Bhutto is visiting Japan on her personal expense and is only attending events within the Pakistani diaspora in Japan.
Daughter of SMBB and President AAZ, Bibi @AseefaBZ is visiting Japan at her personal expense. She is UN Ambassador for Polio eradication and Japan is a key stakeholder and support for #PolioFreePakistan.
She is attending events with Pakistani community only. pic.twitter.com/WwhyJR8pNN— Rab Nawaz Baloch (@RabNBaloch) July 2, 2023
During his maiden visit to Japan, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto met with his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi in Tokyo. Both Pakistan and Japan agreed to deepen further and enhance their mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in multiple areas — including trade, investment, human resource development and exchange, IT, tourism and agriculture sectors.
A day ago, Bilawal Bhutto had met the Pakistani diaspora in Tokyo, where he had emphasised the need for increased bilateral trade between the two countries.
Read more: Who did it better: Maryam Nawaz or Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari?