Asif Ali Zardari sworn in as President of Pakistan

September 10, 2008

Asif Ali Zardari has been sworn in as the President of Pakistan. The 53-year-old Zardari took oath from Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar in Islamabad on Tuesday.

He took the oath as the twelfth President of Pakistan. On Sept. 6, Zardari, secured 479 votes from the total number of 702 votes of the electoral college consisting of two houses of the parliament and four provincial assemblies.

Saeeduz Zaman Siddiqui, who was fielded by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Group, received 153 votes while Senator Mushahid Hussain, a candidate from the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-e-Azam Group, got 43 votes.

Zardari is the widower of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated Dec. 27, 2007. The election was called after former President Pervez Musharraf resigned last month.