Asif Ali Zardari

Asif Ali Zardari is current president of Pakistan. He is also the widower of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who was killed in a suicide bomb attack in 2007. He and his son, Bilawal Bhutto currently co-chair the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in accordance with Benazir's will.

On August 7, 2008, Asif Ali Zardari, along with Nawaz Sharif, leader of the Pakistan Muslim League, formerly requested that Pervez Musharraf step down as president of Pakistan. Zardari and Sharif stated that they would go to Parliament with the request if Musharraf did not volunteer a resignation. On August 18, 2008, Musharraf resigned.

Zardari has been charged with many offenses in Pakistan, including corruption, extortion, blackmail and murder. He has spent a total of 11 years in jail, but has been acquitted of every charge brought against him. Zardari asserts that all the charges were politically-motivated fabrications.BBC: Last case against Zardari dropped (March 14, 2008)

Following the resignation of President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan, Zardari was named as a possible candidate for the position. The second-largest opposition party, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, announced their support of Zardari on August 20, 2008.FT.com: Zardari Leads Pakistan President Race (August 20, 2008) Zardari was elected to become the new president of Pakistan on Saturday, September 6, 2008. His first day in office was on September 9, 2008.