President Mamnoon Hussain. PHOTO: FILE
Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Ali Chaudhry administered the oath in a ceremony which was attended by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, former president Asif Ali Zardari, former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani among others.
The 73-year-old Hussain, who is the 12th person to assume the role of President in Pakistan, has spent most of his life as a key member of the business community in Karachi.
Nawaz is understood to have been attracted by his loyalty and low-profile manner, and by selecting a president from the south he gives Karachi some stake in the federal government.
The President had earlier said that he wanted to be a symbol of the federation.
On the accusation that he was being appointed in the same way former president Rafiq Tarar was appointed, he had retorted, “What was wrong with Rafiq Tarar? He served the presidency well.”
Hussain had said that the role of the president is to make important decisions on the advice of the Prime Minister.
“If a president serves as a facilitator by following the law and the Constitution, what’s the problem with that?” he had earlier question questioned.
Hussain was elected president on July 30 by members of the four provincial assemblies and the federal parliament.
He won 432 votes and his only rival, Wajihuddin Ahmed, 77, after the main opposition Pakistan Peoples Party boycotted the vote.
Former president Asif Ali Zardari, who is the first president to have completed his tenure, was given a farewell guard of honour in Islamabad on Sunday.
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If there ever was a more hopeful sign of change to come in Pakistan, it would be the events of this year from the general elections in May all the way to this day with the oath ceremony of the new President of Pakistan. We congratulate President Mamnoon Hussain and the nation of Pakistan on this historic event, as we witnessed a peaceful transition and establishment of a new government in Pakistan. We look forward to working with the new Pakistani government and improve our coordination and cooperation with the Pakistani military especially as the bulk of the U.S. Forces leave Afghanistan. We are hopeful for a better and brighter future for Pakistan and for the region.
Haroon Ahmad DET – U.S. Central Command
@Max:
Before coming up with a useless observation, you should have done a bit of research to find out that Mamnoon Hussain is not a politician.
Welcome to the President house Mr. President!
The industrialists mafia captures the top 02- positions
As a first order remove the stay for capital punishments
Mamnoon will forever be mamnoon to NS for this great honor. Another useless politician..
well, another Mamoon of Pakistan! he is praising Rafiq Tarrar, what you expect from him.