(AFP) – – In the lead-up to the general elections scheduled for February 8, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, scion of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), is actively engaging in campaign activities.

Bilawal, son of the late Benazir Bhutto, the first woman prime minister in the Muslim world, is vying for a significant political role in his second attempt at the general elections.

The Bhutto family, once a dominant force in Pakistani politics, has witnessed a tumultuous journey marked by both triumphs and tragedies. Benazir’s assassination during a campaign trail in 2007 propelled the PPP to power in 2008 under the leadership of Bilawal’s father. However, over the years, the party’s influence has waned, relegating them to a third-place position in recent times.

Bilawal, criticized in the past for his perceived lack of experience, now enters the electoral arena with a stint as foreign minister in a coalition government that ousted Imran Khan in 2022. Despite his youthfulness compared to his rivals, Bilawal aims to carve a significant political path for himself and his party.

While the Bhutto legacy carries weight in Pakistani politics, Bilawal and the PPP are unlikely to secure a prominent position in the upcoming government. Nonetheless, they are positioning themselves strategically for potential future roles, possibly as junior coalition partners.

The Bhutto name has deep roots in Pakistani politics, with Bilawal’s grandfather, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, founding the PPP with a populist agenda five decades ago. However, the family’s political journey has been marred by military interventions, allegations of corruption, and tragic assassinations.

Despite the challenges, Bilawal remains committed to carrying forward his family’s legacy. His recent rally at the site of his mother’s assassination underscores his determination to honor his family’s political heritage.

Bilawal’s ascension to the helm of the PPP after his mother’s death marked a new chapter in his political journey. Despite being a student at the time, he has since emerged as a prominent figure in Pakistani politics, seeking to revitalize the “Bhutto brand” amidst challenges posed by corruption allegations and party decline.

While Bilawal may not ascend to the position of prime minister immediately, analysts believe that his youth and political lineage position him as a potential leader for the future, keeping the Bhutto legacy alive in Pakistani politics.