Pakistani actress Aymen Saleem, daughter of former cricketer Saleem Yousuf, has officially joined the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), citing former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto as her lifelong inspiration.
Saleem announced her decision during a press conference in Karachi alongside PPP Sindh President Nisar Ahmed Khuhro.
Speaking on the occasion, the actress said she had admired Benazir Bhutto since childhood and was proud to become part of the PPP.
“Since my childhood, I’ve been a big fan of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. Every girl who has seen her journey is definitely impressed by her. I’m very happy and proud to be a part of the Pakistan Peoples Party,” she said.
Saleem praised Benazir Bhutto for becoming the first elected female leader of the Muslim world at the age of 35. She highlighted the challenges Bhutto faced, including exile, imprisonment and threats to her safety.
“She faced exile, prison, threats, but she still chose to come back home, because her people mattered more to her than her own safety,” Saleem said.
She added that Benazir’s journey had taught her from a young age that a girl’s dreams are never too small and that dreams have no gender.
Explaining her decision to join the party, Saleem said she viewed the move as a commitment to serving the country rather than simply entering politics.
“I would like to say that this is not a political decision for me, personally. This is a promise for me,” she said.
She expressed gratitude for the opportunity provided by the PPP and pledged to work sincerely for Pakistan and its people.
Saleem also spoke about her family background, referring to her father, former Pakistani cricketer Saleem Yousuf, who represented the country for more than a decade.
She said patriotism was part of her upbringing and that she had always wanted to contribute to Pakistan.
The actress added that she hoped to use her education and professional experience to make the most of the opportunity.
Saleem concluded her remarks by thanking the PPP leadership, including President Asif Ali Zardari and party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
She joins a growing list of Pakistani actors who have entered politics. Other entertainment personalities who have affiliated with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in recent years include Farhan Ally Agha and Shamoon Abbasi.
Before entering the entertainment industry, Saleem worked in investment banking and consulting in New York.
She later gained widespread recognition for her performance in the hit drama Chupke Chupke.
Despite the drama’s success, Saleem announced in 2021 that she would “no longer be acting,” temporarily stepping away from the entertainment industry. However, she eventually returned to television.
Her decision to join the PPP now marks another change in her professional career.
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