Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to skip sister Bakhtawar's engagement party, sources

KARACHI: PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will not be attending sister Bakhtawar's engagement on November 27, Geo News reported on Thursday.  

Bilawal, who tested positive for the coronavirus earlier today, is currently under self-isolation. 

Although the party has not made a formal announcement, sources said Bilawal will skip the engagement party. While his father, former president Asif Ali Zardari, will make a brief appearance at the function.

Zardari is currently receiving medical treatment for his ailments at a private hospital. 

In a tweet, Bilawal said he is experiencing mild symptoms. "I will continue working from home and will be addressing the PPP foundation day via video link," he said. "Wear a mask everyone, see you on the other side."

The engagement

The Bilawal House has requested all guests to undergo a coronavirus PCT test 24 hours prior to attending the event. No guest will be allowed to enter the premises without a negative COVID-19 test.

Bilawal and the staff at Bilawal House took the coronavirus test on Wednesday after his political secretary tested positive for the virus. The testing was done under Zardari's directives. 

Read more: Bakhtawar Bhutto to be engaged to son of US-based businessman on Nov 27

The couple

Bakhtawar, daughter of Benazir Bhutto and Zardari, is betrothed to UAE-based businessman Mahmood Chaudhry.

The PPP media cell revealed that Mahmood — son of Mohammad Younas Choudhary and Begum Suriya Choudhary — manages a diversified business in Dubai.

The Choudhrys hail from the old town of Lahore, Pakistan. "Mr Younas migrated to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 1973, where through hard work he established businesses in the construction and transport industry," the statement read. “Mahmood, the last born of five siblings, was born on July 28 1988, in the city of Abu Dhabi."

“He completed his primary education in Abu Dhabi and secondary education in the United Kingdom. Mahmood further went on to study law at the University of Durham,” the post revealed.

According to the details, the family’s primary country of residence remains the UAE where Mahmood continues to run his business in finance, tech, and construction.