PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari address a press conference at Zardari House in Islamabad on March 29, 2022. — PPI
LONDON: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and President Asif Ali Zardari are in Vienna for Bilawal’s possible engagement and subsequent marriage into a prominent European family with links to Austria’s former royal household, a trusted source in the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has confirmed to Geo News.
Zardari and Bilawal have met prospective bride’s family members three times since their arrival in Austria three days ago.
Both are expected to fly from Austria to the United Kingdom and spend around 10 days in London and elsewhere in the country. The prospective bride’s family members are also expected to join the Bhutto-Zardari family during their stay in the UK.
Reports link Bilawal’s prospective bride to the House of Habsburg-Lorraine, Austria’s former imperial family, with some reports describing her as a descendant of Karl I, the last reigning Emperor of Austria.
“The wedding could likely take place in Vienna later this year. Bilawal and the prospective bride have known each other for several years and have many friends in common,” the source told Geo News.
The Presidency confirmed on August 27 that President Zardari had travelled abroad on a private visit but did not disclose the purpose of the trip. He is expected to spend around two weeks in the UK, marking his first extended visit to Britain in several years. His last visit to the UK was nearly five years ago.
Bilawal, an Oxford University graduate, has frequently travelled to the UK for private as well as political engagements. The source said Bilawal’s sisters are also expected to join the family in London.
Sanam Bhutto, Bilawal’s aunt and the only surviving child of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, is already in London. Around two weeks ago, she attended the wedding of the son of PPP UK President Mohsin Bari.
The source further said even the party’s senior figures and people close to the Bhutto-Zardari family were unaware of the reported marriage discussions until around two days ago.
No formal announcement regarding Bilawal’s engagement or marriage has so far been made by the Bhutto-Zardari family or the PPP.
Meanwhile, Karachi Mayor and senior PPP leader Murtaza Wahab has denied reports that Bilawal is getting married. Responding to speculation surrounding the PPP chairman’s reported engagement and marriage plans, Wahab described the reports circulating in the media and on social media as incorrect.