Zardari all set to be sworn in as Pakistan's new President

Islamabad, Sep 9 (PTI) Pakistan People's Party (P.P.P.)
leader Asif Ali Zardari is set to be sworn in as Pakistan's
new President during a ceremony to be held Tuesday at the
presidential palace in the federal capital.

Zardari (53) swept last week's presidential poll by
bagging almost 70 percent of the electoral college votes. He
will be sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice Abdul Hamid
Dogar at 1 pm during a ceremony to be attended by Prime
Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, federal ministers, the three
services chiefs and diplomats.

The opposition Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) P.M.L.-N
will be represented by its president and Punjab Chief Minister
Shahbaz Sharif. Afghan President Hamid Karzai will attend the
ceremony at the invitation of the President-elect.

Zardari Tuesday moved into the presidential palace in
the heart of the federal capital along with his daughters
Bakhtawar and Asifa and close aides. Shortly after former
President Pervez Musharraf resigned last month, Zardari had
shifted from his private residence to the Prime Minister's
House due to security concerns.

After taking oath, Zardari will be presented a guard of
honour by a tri-services contingent. He will meet people from
all sections of society.

Zardari will also address a news conference, during which
he is expected to present his vision to take Pakistan forward,
a strategy to counter terrorism and steps to strengthen the
economy.