Zardari ends tenure, treated to honour guard

Published September 8, 2013
President Asif Ali Zardari waves as he leaves the Presidential Palace after his farewell ceremony in Islamabad  - Photo by AFP
President Asif Ali Zardari waves as he leaves the Presidential Palace after his farewell ceremony in Islamabad - Photo by AFP
President Asif Ali Zardari (C) inspects the guard of honour during his farewell ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Islamabad - Photo by AFP
President Asif Ali Zardari (C) inspects the guard of honour during his farewell ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Islamabad - Photo by AFP

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari, one of the most powerful civilian presidents the country has ever had, stepped down on Sunday, leaving his official residence after a record five years in power.

He retires six years after his wife’s murder in December 2007, and is the first democratically elected president in the history of Pakistan to fully complete his constitutional tenure and be replaced by another elected individual.

His successor, Mamnoon Hussain, is to be sworn in on Monday, September 9.

The 58-year-old widower of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, arrived at Aiwan-e-Sadr in a traditional carriage amid much pomp and fanfare. He was treated to an honour guard by the armed forces and shook hands with the presidential staff before being driven away from the presidential residence in a black luxury saloon.

He plans to leave for Lahore soon after the ceremony, where he intends to reside at Bilawal House.

Analysts count his government's completion of a full term in a hostile political environment to his credit, as well as his strong stance against Islamic militancy. However, they say that economic mismanagement hurt Zardari's popularity as a leader.

Earlier, he had agreed to a constitutional amendment that transferred many of the president's powers to the prime minister, leaving his position as largely ceremonial.

In an interview broadcast on Saturday, Zardari declared his intention of re-organising his party, which suffered a crushing defeat against the PML-N in the elections held in May. He added that he did not wish to run for Prime Minister in the future.

Presidential spokesman, Farhatullah Babar, also gave in his resignation today, after the honour guard was presented to Zardari. He declared that he would now be spokesman for the Pakistan People's Party (PPP).

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...