Manmohan Singh congratulates Gilani

Islamabad, Mar 25: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday congratulated Pakistani Premier Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on his assumption of office. Manmohan Singh made a phone call to Gilani and congratulated him for becoming the 25th Prime Minister of Pakistan, The News reported.

Gilani, the first premier from the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) who is not a member of the Bhutto family, was administered the oath by President Pervez Musharraf in the central hall of the Aiwan-e-Sadr. Meanwhile, the UK and US Governments have also congratulated Gilani for assuming the Prime Minister"s office. PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif, were conspicuous by their absence during the swearing-in ceremony of Gilani.

ANI