Woman suicide bomber kills nine

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BILAWAL Bhutto Zardari`s two worlds collided after a false statement appeared on a Facebook profile in his name and his father`s aides said the Pakistan Government was using it to undermine the 19-year-old`s image.

Benazir Bhutto`s son was thrust into the international limelight, and Pakistan politics, on Sunday when he was appointed chairman of the Pakistan People`s Party, which his late mother led until her assassination.

He had previously lived in relative obscurity as a first-year history student at Christ Church, Oxford, enjoying horse-riding, tae kwon do and networking on his genuine Facebook account.

The bogus statement, which appeared on Tuesday, seemed a sincere response to condolences sent to a Facebook profile in the name of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

"I am not a born leader. I am not a politician or a great thinker," it says. "I`m merely a student. I do the things students do - like make mistakes, eat junk food, watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer but most importantly of all ... learn.

"My time to lead will come but for now I`m the one asking questions, not the one answering them."

An aide to his father, Asif Ali Zardari, said Bilawal had not posted any public messages on his real Facebook profile, which is under a different name. "It`s the Government," the aide said.

"They`re trying to make it look like it was a mistake to appoint him, because he is so young. They`re trying to demonise Mr Zardari."

Mr Zardari 51, is to run the party as co-chairman until Bilawal finishes his studies.

Some PPP supporters dislike Mr Zardari, who has served several years in jail on corruption and other charges. Others have questioned his son`s right to lead.

The fake Facebook profile may be the work of a bored student, probably in Britain.

Since he was seen on television on Sunday, two dozen Facebook groups have been set up, many catering to female fans.

His real Facebook profile offers a glimpse of his Oxford life, far from Pakistan`s deeply conservative society. One picture shows him with his face painted and wearing horns for a fancy-dress party.

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