Faryal Talpur: A Political Journey in Pakistan
Faryal Talpur was born on 26 April 1958 she is younger then Asif Zardari and Sindhi politician who has held key positions in the National and Provincial Assemblies of Pakistan. She was a member of the National Assembly from 2008 to May 2018 and served as a member of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh from August 2018 to August 2023. Additionally, she has played a significant role in the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) as the President of its Women Wing.
Born in Nawabshah, Sindh, Faryal Talpur is the daughter of Adi Faryal Zardari became Faryal Talpur after marrying Mir Munawar Ali Talpur. In Sindhi tradition, a wife takes her husband’s caste or surname, reflecting cultural norms. Despite belonging to the Zardari family, she is widely recognized by her husband’s surname, Talpur, in political and social circles. The couple has three daughters: Aysha, Fatima, and Tania. Her political journey began in the 1990s when she contested the 1997 general elections on a PPP ticket from the NA-160 Nawabshah constituency. However, she lost to a Pakistan Muslim League (N) candidate. In 2001, she successfully became the Nazim (mayor) of district Nawabshah in local government elections and was re-elected in 2005. Following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in 2007, she assumed the role of legal guardian of Bhutto’s children: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, and Aseefa Bhutto Zardari. She also became the custodian of Bhutto’s property in Larkana, signifying her influential role in the family and PPP politics. At one point in 2007, she was even considered a potential candidate for the President of Pakistan under the PPP banner. Due to her role as the mayor of Nawabshah, Adi Faryal Talpur did not contest the 2008 general elections. However, she later ran in a by-election from NA-207 (Larkana-cum-Shikarpur-cum-Kambar Shahdadkot), a seat previously held by Benazir Bhutto, and won, securing her place in the National Assembly for the first time. Known as Addi اَڊي (sister) among PPP loyalists, Faryal Talpur is one of the most influential figures in the party. Trusted by her brother Asif Ali Zardari, she handled key political affairs. From district nazim of Nawabshah to representing Benazir’s constituency, her rise in politics reflects loyalty over personal ambition. As a close aide to her brother Asif Ali Zardari, she was entrusted with major responsibilities within the PPP, particularly managing the party’s internal affairs. She was known for her strong and determined leadership style. In a diplomatic cable leaked by WikiLeaks in 2009, it was revealed that Asif Ali Zardari had instructed his son Bilawal to appoint Faryal Talpur as President of Pakistan in case of his assassination. Furthermore, former Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani reportedly commented that Faryal Zardari would be a better president than Zardari. In the 2013 general elections, she was re-elected to the National Assembly from NA-207 Larkana, further solidifying her position in Pakistan’s political landscape. In the 2018 general elections, Zardari transitioned to provincial politics and won a seat in the Sindh Assembly, where she served until 2023. Throughout her career, she remained a key figure in the PPP, particularly in shaping the party’s strategies and decisions. Known for her resilience and strategic thinking, She has been one of the most influential women in Pakistani politics, playing a crucial role in the party’s governance and electoral success. Addi Faryal Talpur has been instrumental in strengthening the Zardari clan’s influence, ensuring key government positions in Nawabshah are secured by loyalists. The merit system, including the Sindh Public Service Commission, exists only in name. Candidates for top positions are often pre-selected by the ruling government. With the PPP governing for over a decade, most key appointments in Nawabshah have gone to Zardari Sindhis, sidelining merit and competence. This has led to a governance structure where loyalty takes precedence over qualifications, consolidating power within a specific group while weakening institutional integrity and opportunities for deserving candidates outside the ruling elite’s inner circle.
Political Career
Later Years and Legacy
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