Asif Ali Zardari, the co-chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), has been elected as the 14th President of Pakistan in a parliamentary election, beating out his competitor Mahmood Khan Achakzai backed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
Zardari secured a total of 411 votes, while Achakzai only managed to garner 181 votes. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari announced the victory, stating that his father received 255 votes from the National Assembly and Senate, 151 from the Sindh Assembly, 246 from Punjab, 17 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and 47 from the Balochistan Assembly.
The election results led to jubilant celebrations by PPP workers outside the Punjab Assembly, with a victory dance to the beat of Dhol marking the party’s triumphant moment. Zardari, the joint nominee of PPP and PML-N, emerged as the clear winner in the presidential race.
The president was chosen by an electoral college consisting of members from the Senate, the National Assembly, and the four provincial assemblies. A joint session of the parliament was held at the parliament house in Islamabad to conduct the voting process.
Zardari’s victory signifies his return as the head of the State for the second time, having previously served as the president from 2008 to 2013. The election outcome solidifies his position as the leader of Pakistan, as he prepares to take on the responsibilities of the presidential office once again.
Image Source: Opindia
