Ashraf’s competing candidate Sardar Mehtab Abbasi, from Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) lost with 89 votes. Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam’s (JUI-F) Fazlur Rehman was the third candidate, but he withdrew his nomination as soon as the National Assembly session began.
Soon after being named PM, Ashraf vowed to hold free and fair elections and sought the opposition’s support for the carrying on with the democratic process. He also promised to address the issues plaguing Balochistan and promised “peaceful co-existence” with neighbours India and Afghanistan.
A new federal cabinet is expected be sworn in later tonight at the Presidency, where 27 new federal ministers are expected to take oath.
President Asif Ali Zardari congratulated Ashraf on his success and said ” Ashraf’s election as PM is an indication of the nation’s confidence in democracy.”
Ashraf may also come under immediate pressure from the Supreme Court to write to Swiss authorities, asking them to reopen corruption investigations into President Asif Ali Zardari – refusal for which saw Gilani convicted of contempt.
The third candidate, Jamiat-ul-Ulema Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, withdrew his candidacy and decided to remain impartial in the election process by not casting his vote.
He is the 25th prime minister of Pakistan but considered the most faithless and untrue politician.
First Speech:
In his first speech after being elected as Prime Minister, Raja Pervez Ashraf said that resolving critical issues faced by the country including price hikes, loadshedding, economy and the crisis in Balochistan were at the top of his list of things to do.
Ashraf began by thanking all the leaders and members of coalition parties as well as the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) for reposing their faith in him and electing him for the post. He then paid tribute to his predecessor, Yousaf Raza Gilani, saying that he (Gilani) had upheld the Constitution even in the toughest of times. “He strengthened democracy and the democratic institutions. We won’t let anyone else use this power given to us by the people.”
Ashraf also underlined the need for peaceful coexistence with Afghanistan, Iran and India. “We will continue to hold talks with our neighbours to reach peaceful solutions on matters of conflict,” he said.
Ashraf said that Pakistan should also have better relations with the Muslim world an the regional blocs like European Union (EU). Meanwhile, PML-N’s candidate Mehtab Abbasi said “this day will be etched in Pakistan’s democratic history.”
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