City
Epaper

Asif Zardari sworn in as 14th president of Pakistan; first civilian to hold post twice

By ANI | Updated: March 10, 2024 21:40 IST

Islamabad [Pakistan], March 10 : Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Zardari was sworn in as the 14th President ...

Open in App

Islamabad [Pakistan], March 10 : Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Zardari was sworn in as the 14th President of Pakistan on Sunday, officially taking over as the head of the state for a historic second time, Dawn reported.

Notably, Zardari is the only civilian candidate to have been elected as head of the state for a second time, excluding the military heads. Earlier, he served as the Pakistan President from 2008 to 2013.

Zardari had secured 411 electoral votes on Saturday to defeat his opponent and chief of the Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), Mehmood Khan Achakzai, who could only get 181 votes, according to the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa administered the oath to Zardari today at the President's House in Islamabad. They were flanked by newly elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and outgoing President Arif Alvi.

Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza and PPP Chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari were also present.

Zardari is also one of the four democratically elected presidents to have completed their five-year constitutional term, as reported by Dawn.

The president was chosen by an electoral college consisting of members from the Senate, the National Assembly, and the four provincial assemblies. A joint session of the parliament was conducted at the parliament house in Islamabad, where members from both the National Assembly and the Senate exercised their franchise, according to ARY News.

Nominated as the joint candidate of the PML-N-led coalition government under a quid pro quo deal that saw PML-N president Shehbaz being elected as prime minister, Zardari replaced Arif Alvi, who overstayed for five months in the absence of electoral college required to elect a new president after completing his five-year term in September 2023.

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

Open in App

Related Stories

NationalDisplaying 'Hindu terror', 'Gayab' posters made Cong leaders heroes in Pakistan: Union Minister

NationalMan arrested in Assam's Dhubri for 'defending' Pakistan

InternationalIndian diaspora holds major protest in Berlin against Pahalgam terror attack

NationalPakistani nationals asked to apply afresh for Long Term Visas by July 10

InternationalEAM Jaishankar holds talks with European Commission VP, discusses Pahalgam terror attack

International Realted Stories

InternationalShip carrying aid, 16 people to Gaza explodes

International"Important to distinguish wants from reality": Canada PM Carney responds to Trump's remarks on making Canada 51st State of US

InternationalCanadian PM to meet Trump on Tuesday

InternationalPakistan-administered Kashmir asks residents near LoC to stockpile food amid fears of Indian attack

InternationalEarthquake of magnitude 4.5 jolts Afghanistan