By IRNA,
Islamabad : Asif Ali Zardari took oath of office as Pakistan’s new head of state on Tuesday at an impressive ceremony at Presidency.
Zardari, the widower of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Saturday won a sweeping victory in presidential election, with 481 votes out of 702.
The election was called after Pervez Musharraf resigned last month to avoid impeachment.
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar administered the oath of office to Zardari at a grand ceremony.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who arrived in Islamabad earlier, also attended the ceremony on the special invitation of Asif Ali Zardari.
The president was presented a guard of honour by a contingent drawn from three armed forces.
As Zardrai entered the main hall, national anthem of Pakistan was played and services chiefs presented salute to the new President.
Zardari’s son Bilawal Bhutto Zardaru, two daughters Bakhtawar and Asifa were among the participants of the ceremony.
The guests included ministers, army and civilian officials, political leaders and diplomats.
Zardari will address a press conference later and to highlight his strategy to deal with the growing incidents of bomb blasts, suicide attacks, fast worsening economy and foreign relations.
It will be followed by the courtesy calls by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, member of the federal cabinet, Chairman Senate, Chief Justice, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and the three services chiefs, besides meeting the staff of the President House.
Zardari plans to address the nation soon after his oath taking ceremony.