Asif Zardari, the co-chairman of the PPP, has once again stepped into the prestigious role of Pakistan’s President, marking his second term. This historic achievement came after a highly anticipated presidential election.
THE VICTORY PATH
- Landslide Win: Zardari clinched a major victory in the election held just a day before his swearing-in, gathering a whopping 411 electoral votes. His main competitor, Mehmood Khan Achakzai of the Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party, trailed with 181 votes.
- Election Insights: The Election Commission of Pakistan shared these numbers, highlighting Zardari’s overwhelming support from the electoral college.
A DAY OF OATHS AND PROMISES
- Swearing-In Ceremony: The Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa, led the oath ceremony at Islamabad’s President House. It was a moment of pride and optimism, with Zardari officially taking the reins for his second term.
- Who’s Who: The event was star-studded with political figures, including the newly elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the outgoing President Dr. Arif Alvi. High-ranking military officials and key political leaders also graced the occasion.
NOTABLE ATTENDEES
From family to political allies, the ceremony was a convergence of influential figures. Among them were:
- Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, PPP chief, alongside top military and political leaders.
- Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and a host of former ministers and current chief ministers from Sindh and Balochistan.
- Zardari’s daughters, Aseefa and Bakhtawar, with her husband, and sister Faryal Talpur, showed their support.
SETTING RECORDS
Zardari’s reelection as President is not just a personal victory but a historic milestone for Pakistan:
- A Repeat Honor: He is the only person to have been elected head of state for a second time.
- A Legacy of Democracy: Zardari is among the rare democratically elected presidents who have served a full five-year term.
THE ROAD AHEAD
Under a strategic alliance, Zardari’s nomination and subsequent election as president were part of a larger political agreement, promising a collaborative government. He steps into this role following Dr. Arif Alvi, whose term extended due to the delay in the electoral process.
