Long-time Khan ally becomes Pakistan’s 13th president

Pakistan’s new president, Arif Alvi, was sworn in at a ceremony in Islamabad yesterday, concluding the country’s peaceful transfer of power to its new government after a turbulent election campaign.

His appointment further cements the ruling party’s power after polls in July – which were tainted by claims of military meddling and ballot rigging – that led to former cricket star Imran Khan being elected prime minister.

Mr Alvi, a close ally of Mr Khan and one of the founders of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, becomes Pakistan’s 13th president, replacing Mamnoon Hussain. He was elected by more than 1,000 politicians from both houses of Parliament and the four provincial assemblies.

Mr Khan and his Cabinet attended the ceremony, led by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar, with armed forces chiefs and senior Islamabad-based diplomats.

Mr Alvi swore to “bear true faith and allegiance to Pakistan” and to carry out his duties “in the interest of the sovereignty, integrity, solidarity, well-being and prosperity of Pakistan”.

A former dentist, Mr Alvi served as the PTI’s secretary general for eight years and was elected an MP in the southern city of Karachi in 2013, winning re-election in the July vote.

A father of four and enthusiastic Twitter user, Mr Alvi was shot and wounded during a protest against dictator Ayub Khan in 1969. He still has a bullet embedded in his right arm.

Pakistani presidents wielded greater power before 2008, when president Asif Ali Zardari, the husband of assassinated premier Benazir Bhutto, took office and devolved most of his powers to prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.