Karachi: Pakistani actor Aymen Saleem has entered politics by joining the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), describing former prime minister Benazir Bhutto as inspiration. She announced her decision at a press conference in Karachi alongside PPP Sindh President Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, expressing pride in becoming part of the political party and a desire to contribute to the country through public service.
“Since my childhood, I’ve been a big fan of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto,” Aymen said, adding that the former prime minister’s political journey had inspired women across generations.
Reflecting on Bhutto’s legacy, the actor highlighted her achievement as Pakistan’s first woman prime minister and her determination to continue her political struggle despite imprisonment, exile and threats to her safety. Aymen said Bhutto’s decision to return to Pakistan despite the risks demonstrated her commitment to the people. She added that the former prime minister’s life had taught her that women should not limit their ambitions because of their gender.
“Her journey had taught me from a young age that a girl’s dream is never too small, and that dreams have no gender,” Aymen said. She described her decision to join the PPP as more than a political move, calling it a personal promise to serve the country and its people. She expressed gratitude for the platform offered by the party and said she hoped to use her education and professional experience to contribute meaningfully to Pakistan.
She also referred to her family background, noting that her father, former Pakistan cricketer Saleem Yousuf, had represented the country for more than a decade. She said patriotism had been an important part of her upbringing and that she had long wanted to do something for her country. She thanked the party’s leadership, including President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, for the opportunity to begin this new chapter.
Before entering the entertainment industry, she worked in investment banking and consulting in New York. She later gained widespread recognition for her performance in the popular television drama Chupke Chupke, which helped establish her as a familiar face in Pakistani entertainment. Her entry also brings renewed attention to the relationship between Pakistan’s entertainment industry and politics, where public figures can use their visibility to engage with political parties and national issues.