Bhutto's teenage son to lead opposition party

Benazir Bhutto’s 19-year-old son was chosen today to succeed her as chairman of her opposition party, extending Pakistan’s most famous political dynasty.

The appointment will leave the real power with Ms Bhutto’s husband, Asif Ali Zardari, who will serve as co-chairman along with Oxford University student Bilawal Zardari.

Both major opposition parties also decided to run in forthcoming parliamentary elections, apparently ending the threat of a wholesale boycott as Pakistan struggles to move to full democracy after years of military rule.

There also appeared to be agreement between the major parties that the elections should take place as scheduled on January 8 despite street violence and political turmoil in the country triggered by last Thursday’s assassination of Ms Bhutto in a gun and suicide attack.

Tariq Azim, a spokesman for the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Q party, congratulated Ms Bhutto’s party decision to contest the vote and not seek a delay.

“We welcome it, and we are also ready for the contest on January 8,” he said after earlier predicting the election may be delayed up to four months.

The Election Commission is due to announce tomorrow whether the polling will be delayed.