Young Bilawal Bhutto, in his first full press conference in London since taking over as head of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) last week, the 19-year-old son of former premier Benazir Bhutto criticised the lengths some journalists had gone to in tracking down his personal details, particularly on the social networking site ‘Facebook.’
"When I am at Oxford I hope I can be left alone," the bespectacled teenager said looking relaxed after a tense start before the cameras.
Bhutto firmly rejected questions about the "undemocratic nature" of his PPP succession like a seasoned politician when he said "I do not claim to have any aspiration. I was called and I stepped up to do what I was asked to do."
"It wasn’t handed on like some piece of family furniture.
They asked me to do it and I did," said Bilawal showing traces of aggression.
The third generation scion of the Bhutto family also said the threat of violence did not stop him from taking over as party chief.
"How many Bhuttos can you kill? From every house a Bhutto will come," he said.
Bilawal said he had agreed to take over from his mother because "politics is in my blood." But he added "My experience is limited… I intend to learn."
"On behalf of my sisters in Dubai, I should also like to request you to respect their privacy," he said. Bhutto’s two daughters–Aseefa and Bakhtawar–are residing in the Gulf Emirate.
Bilawal, anointed Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), said he did appreciate that a team of Scotland Yard has gone to Pakistan to assist in the investigations.
But went out to note that "already so much forensic evidences have been destroyed."
The PPP has raised its pitch demanding a UN probe into the former premier’s assassination.
Recalling that Benazir had requested for protection by the Pakistan government, Bilawal said "it is our belief that had she been provided with adequate protection, she would have been alive today".
"Since the death is under investigation, I am not there to comment on who, we believe, is responsible for it," a composed Bilawal said.
Asked whether he nursed any fears, Bilawal said "I fear for my country. I fear that if free and fair elections are not held, then the country may disintegrate".
Does he fear for his life, he was asked. "I fear for my privacy," he responded.
On several occasions during his press meet, Bilawal asked the media to respect his privacy and allow him to complete his undergraduate studies.
"My mother was always very open to the press. I am only too willing to give time to talk to journalists, and I should like to continue the good relationship. But, in moderation, not only for my own sake, but also for the sake of my fellow students and the college".
Bilawal, who fielded questions from the international media with ease, said he was prepared to schedule press conferences. "But, when I am in Oxford, I hope that I can be left alone. On behalf of my sisters in Dubai, I also like to request you to respect their privacy".
About how he saw Indo-Pak relations, Bilawal said "I believe Pakistan should be able to have peaceful co-existence with all its neighbours."
He said running of the PPP would be left to his father, Asif Ali Zardari, who is the co-chairman. "At the moment, I am concentrating only on my studies".
On the drawbacks of his being an "outsider", Bilawal shot back "It was not my choice to live outside Pakistan. It was made impossible as my mother was sent in exile. I cannot pretend to relate in the same way as people living there, but I am fully aware of what is happening there," he said.