New Pakistan PM Gilani takes oath today

Islamabad, Mar 25 : Newly appointed Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani will take oath of office and secrecy at the Presidency in Islamabad today.

President Pervez Musharraf will administer the oath to Gilani at 11:00 a.m.

Later, Musharraf is scheduled to hold a formal discussion with Gilani.

More than 500 invitations have been sent to all the important political and other personalities, including PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, his brother Shahbaz Sharif and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.

A section of Pakistan press had earlier reported that both Nawaz Sharif and Zardari might not attend the oath-taking ceremony.

However, the ruling alliance led by PML-Q has announced not to attend the oath-taking ceremony, The News reported.

The National Assembly on Monday elected PPP's Gilani as the new Prime Minister of Pakistan with a thumping majority.

Gilani bagged 264 votes. The rival candidate Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi of the PML-Q and its allies secured only 42 votes.

The National Assembly has total strength of 342 members, but its existing strength is 330 as 12 seats are vacant.

ANI