The justification for the selection of Benazir’s son as chairman (of the Pakistan People’s Party) was that only a Bhutto could provide unity within the party, the British socialite wrote in the Sunday Telegraph. “If so, then why not 25-year-old Fatima Bhutto, who is arguably more qualified for the job than her teenage Facebooking cousin?” Jemima asked.

“If everything’s in a name, Fatima need not have changed hers in order to inherit. Brought up in Pakistan, unlike Bilawal, and a native speaker, she is an established writer and political commentator. At least she has some work experience. Aunt Benazir’s first-ever job was prime minister of a 160-million-strong nation,” wrote Jemima, who had often criticised Benazir Bhutto’s politics.

‘Politicised’

“It helps, in a lookist society, that (Fatima is) also as beautiful as her aunt - a young Salma Hayek lookalike - and has similar tragic appeal: orphaned, like most Bhuttos, as a result of a political assassination. Fatima is also politicised and outspoken. Too much so,” she said.

Jemima said the real reason why Fatima, daughter of Bhutto’s slain brother Murtaza, is her “favourite Bhutto” is that she has the sense to realise that a few good articles and the right surname don’t qualify her for leadership.

Like always, Jemima lambasted Bhutto’s husband Asif Ali Zardari. “The only consensus within the (PPP) was that Zardari was to blame for his wife’s transgressions.

Once emotions subside, the true horror of the succession will sink in. Zardari’s rule, even as regent, is unsustainable.”