LONDON: President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto are in the Austrian capital Vienna for talks over the latter’s possible engagement and subsequent marriage into a prominent European family with links to Austria’s former royal household, a source within the party confirmed to Geo News.
The source, who has direct knowledge of the developments and spoke on condition of anonymity, said President Zardari and Bilawal had met members of the prospective bride’s family three times since arriving in Austria three days ago.
According to the source, the father and son are expected to fly from Austria to the United Kingdom and spend around 10 days in London and elsewhere in the country, with members of the prospective bride’s family also expected to join the Bhutto-Zardari family during their stay.
Reports circulating about the prospective marriage have linked the prospective bride to the House of Habsburg-Lorraine, Austria’s former imperial family, with some accounts describing her as a descendant of Karl I, the last reigning Emperor of Austria.
“The wedding could likely take place in Vienna later this year. Bilawal and the prospective bride have known each other for several years and have many friends in common,” the source told Geo News.
The Presidency confirmed on August 27 that President Zardari had travelled abroad on a private visit but did not disclose the purpose of the trip. This marks his first extended visit to Britain in several years, with his last visit nearly five years ago.
Reports have said that President Zardari travelled to Liechtenstein, the small principality between Switzerland and Austria, for the private visit to hold talks with the family.
Bilawal, an Oxford University graduate, has frequently travelled to the UK for private and political engagements. His sisters are also expected to join the family in London, according to the source.
Sanam Bhutto, Bilawal’s aunt and the only surviving child of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, is already in London, having attended the wedding of the son of PPP UK President Mohsin Bari around two weeks ago.
The source added that even senior figures within the PPP and people close to the Bhutto-Zardari family were unaware of the reported marriage discussions until around two days ago.
No formal announcement regarding Bilawal’s engagement or marriage has been made by the Bhutto-Zardari family or the PPP.
Meanwhile, Karachi Mayor and senior PPP leader Murtaza Wahab has denied reports that Bilawal is getting married, describing accounts circulating in the media and on social media as incorrect.
The denial comes as speculation has intensified following President Zardari’s private visit to Austria and reports linking the family with a prominent Austrian household.