Benazir Bhutto's son Bilawal not yet ready for political baptism

Bilawal, the 21-year-old-son of President Asif Ali Zardari and late premier Benazir Bhutto has dismissed reports about his political baptism at a major UK rally, saying he is not yet ready to take the plunge.

Amid reports that Bilawal will be launching his political career by addressing a Pakistan People's Party (PPP) rally at Birmingham, the Oxford graduate announced that he intended to continue his "academic and political" education.

"I will not be attending the event. Instead I will be opening a donation point at the Pakistani High Commission in London for victims of the terrible floods which have ravaged  northern Pakistan," the 21-year-old said.

Meanwhile, Zardari's son, Bilawal, announced last night that he will not participate in tomorrow's convention in Birmingham.

The forum was supposed to be the launch-pad for Bilawal's political career. Instead, he said in a statement that he would spend Saturday working to help the victims of the country's devastating floods.

Bilawal also sought to play down speculation over his political future, by saying that he intended to further his academic and political knowledge and was considering studying law.

"As for my future plans, I intend to continue my education both academic and political. I am currently looking into the possibilities of studying law, just as my grandfather (late President) Zulfikar Ali Bhutto did."

Bilawal said he felt "an understanding of law and an appreciation for the rule of law is important for any politician seeking to strengthen democracy in Pakistan".

Noting that he had been "inundated" with requests for interviews from the British media, Bilawal said the press had agreed to allow him to continue with his education without being disturbed after his mother, slain former premier Benazir Bhutto's assassination in 2007.

"I hope this courtesy will be extended until I complete my further education as well. I do look forward to working with the media, the international community and, most importantly, the people of Pakistan in the future to achieve our shared goals of strengthening democracy in Pakistan and combating the forces of extremism that robbed me of my mother and threaten the world today," he said in the statement.

The Pakistani and international media had reported that Bilawal's political career would be launched during the meeting in Birmingham that will be addressed by President Zardari.

Under Pakistani laws, Bilawal will be able to contest elections after four years when he turns 25.