He became famous after he married Benazir Bhutto in 1987, daughter of the former prime minister of Pakistan, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. His wife became prime minister in 1988. He returned from self-exile from Dubai when his wife was assassinated in 2007. As new Co-chairperson he became president after his party won the 2008 general elections. He passed the 18th amendment to constitutionally reduce his powers and allied with the U.S in the war in Afghanistan.