New Pak PM Gilani sworn in, Zardari boycotts ceremony

PPP leaders shouted “Jiay Bhutto” (Long live Bhutto) as the oath was completed.

The ceremony was delayed by almost an hour as Gillani had gone to Karachi yesterday to attend the wedding of his son and had to rush back to the federal capital this morning.

Gillani, 55, was yesterday elected the prime minister by a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly or lower house of parliament.

PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, the two key leaders of the parties that have formed Pakistan’s new coalition government, did not attend the swearing-in ceremony.

Zaradri’s teenaged son Bilawal, who was named PPP chairman after Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in a pre-poll rally in December, too was conspicuous by his absence.

Musharraf shook hands with Gillani and spoke to him briefly before joining the guests.

The event was attended by outgoing Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro, members of interim government, the governors and caretaker chief ministers of the four provinces, Speaker Fehmida Mirza, Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi, chiefs of three services, MQM leaders Farooq Sattar and Hyder Abbas Rizvi and PPP leaders Babar Awan, Jehangir Badar and Latif Khosa.

Members of Gillani’s cabinet are likely to be inducted in phases as the PPP and its allies are still to finalise the division of ministers.

The first batch of ministers is likely to be administered the oath by Musharraf later this week after Gillani obtains a vote of confidence from the National Assembly.