Asif Zardari takes oath as 14th Pakistani President

LAHORE – PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari was sworn in as the 14th president of Pakistan on Sunday, marking a historic moment as he took for second time.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa administered the oath at a ceremony attended by governors, chief ministers, and dignitaries, including former president Dr. Arif Alvi, PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, and Army Chief General Asim Munir.

Top civil-military brass including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with the three service chiefs and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, attended the swearing-in ceremony of Asif Zardari.

Zardari’s becomes first Pakistani politician to serve two terms as president. He previously served as the 11th president from 2008 to 2013.

In recent presidential election, PPP leader secured total of 411 votes from the Parliament and the four provincial assemblies, while his riva;l Achakzai received 181 votes.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Ayatollah Syed Ebrahim Raeesi congratulated Zardari on his election, expressing their countries’ commitment to strengthening relations with Pakistan. Zardari secured 411 votes against Mahmood Khan Achakzai’s 181, winning most votes in provincial assemblies except in K-P where he did not secure the majority.