ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's President-elect Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday moved into the presidential palace, where he will be administered the oath of office as the new head of the state on Tuesday and will be unveiling his "vision" to tackle the challenges facing the nation.

Zardari, 53,swept last weeks presidential poll by bagging almost 70 per cent of the electoral college votes.

He will be sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice Abdul Hamid Dogar during a ceremony to be held in the Aiwan-e-Sadr (presidency) at 1 pm tomorrow.

State-run PTV beamed footage this afternoon of Zardari arriving at the presidential palace in the heart of the federal capital with his daughters Bakhtawar and Asifa and close aides. After some brief religious ceremonies, Zardari entered the mammoth building.

Shortly after former President Pervez Musharraf resigned last month, Zardari shifted from his private residence to the Prime Ministers House due to security concerns.

Reports suggested that Zardaris teenaged son Bilawal, who was made chairman of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party after his mother Benazir Bhuttos assassination last year, is expected to arrive in Islamabad from Britain to attend the swearing-in ceremony.

Arrangements for the swearing-in ceremony began this morning after the Election Commission formally notified Zardaris victory in Saturdays presidential poll.

After taking oath tomorrow, Zardari will be presented a guard of honour by a tri-services contingent. He will later meet people from all sections of society.

Zardari will also address a news conference, during which he is expected to present his "vision to take Pakistan forward, a strategy to counter terrorism and (steps) to strengthen the economy", state-run APP news agency reported.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and the three service chiefs will pay courtesy calls on Zardari after he is sworn in

Zardaris estranged ally and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif will be unable to attend the oath-taking ceremony as he will be leaving for London to be with his wife, who is recovering after a surgery.

The PPP organised several religious ceremonies ahead of Zardaris move to the Aiwan-e-Sadr. Yesterday, Zardaris family and PPP workers participated in a Quran khwani ceremony at the presidential palace to seek blessings to help him overcome the challenges confronting Pakistan.

When Zardari arrived at the Aiwan-e-Sadr this afternoon, a copy of the Quran was held over his head as he walked into the building flanked by his daughters. Several black goats were also sacrificed on the occasion.

 

Source : DNA