Gilani formally inducted as Pakistan PM

Islamabad, Mar 25: Mr Yousuf Raza Gilani today took oath as the 24th Prime Minister of Pakistan, a week after the 13th National Assembly came into being following February 18 general elections.

President Pervez Musharraf administered the oath to Mr Gilani, who was nominated by his Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) for office of the premier on Saturday. The dazzling hall in the Aiwan-e-Sadr or President's secretariat where Mr Musharraf administered the oath reverberated with slogans of 'Jeay Bhutto' or 'Long Live Bhutto' as the copy of the oath was signed. Mr Gilani was elected leader of the house in the National Assembly yesterday after securing 264 votes.

It was not clear as to when the cabinet of ministers will take oath, but Mr Gilani told mediapersons in Islamabad yesterday that the cabinet would be formed in consultations with PPP's coalition partners including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.

One of the major orders that Mr Gilani issued immediately after election was release of judges deposed by the President after they refused to take fresh oath after imposition of the state of emergency on November 3.

All judges including former chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry were released last night and barricades removed from their houses.

Bhutto's widower Asif Ali Zardari, their son Bilawal Bhutto and former premier Nawaz Sharif did not attend the ceremony.

UNI