Zardari’s sworn in for unprecedented second term

Asif Ali Zardari took oath as the 14th president of Pakistan at an impressive ceremony at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Sunday, becoming the first leader to take the highest office of the country twice.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa administered the oath to Zardari, the president of the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP), who replaced Dr Arif Alvi of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The PPPP is a major partner in the ruling coalition government.

The ceremony was attended by the outgoing president, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, top military leadership, governors, chief ministers, National Assembly speaker, parliamentarians, political leaders, diplomats and media persons.

The hall, where the oath ceremony took place, was packed with guests. The supporters of the PPPP often raised slogans in favour of Zardari and the party. They also raised slogans in favour of the army, when Army Chief Gen Asim Munir entered the hall.

Upon arriving for the ceremony, Gen Asim went to the children of Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Bakhtawar and Aseefa. As a traditional and cultural way of greeting, Gen Aism placed his hand on the heads of both Bakhtawar and Aseefa and shook hands with Bilawal.

Gen Asim also shook hands with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who was seated in the front row. Lt-Gen Nadeem Anjum, who was also present at the ceremony, met with Nawaz. Former Punjab caretaker chief minister Mohsin Naqvi also walked to Nawaz and inquired after his health.

The ceremony had a special guest, the grandson of Zardari. Besides, ambassadors and high commissioners of more than 70 countries, including the United States, Great Britain, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirate (UAE), also participated in the ceremony.

Zardari, the candidate for the ruling coalition led by Shahbaz’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), had previously served as president during 2008-13.He was elected for the constitutional office on Saturday by the presidential electoral college, comprising parliament and provincial assemblies.

Although the president’s office has a ceremonial status since the 18th Constitutional Amendment, also introduced by Zardari during his first term, the peculiar formation of the current coalition government gives the 68-year-old PPPP leader an advantage.