Pakistan’s parliament meets for first time since Khan poll victory
PAKISTAN’S NEWLY elected parliament has convened for the first time since last month’s general elections that saw the party of former cricket star turned politician Imran Khan win most seats.
The politicians were sworn in at a brief ceremony in the 342seat National Assembly, the decision-making lower house of parliament.
The parliament will elect a speaker and his deputy tomorrow and vote on the prime minister the following day. The swearing-in ceremony for the prime minister is due on Saturday.
Mr Khan’s populist Tahreeke-Insaf party won 115 seats in the July 25 vote, requiring it to form a coalition.
In the days after the elections, party spokesman Fawad Chaudhry said more politicians joined the party’s ranks and that it now enjoys the backing of 180 parliament members after several women politicians, minority and independents sided with Mr Khan. He needs 172 votes to be become prime minister.
Mr Khan has campaigned on the promise of a “New Pakistan” with justice for all, pledging to wipe out corruption and help the poor.
He has said he would run the country like it has never been run before, though some of his popular and influential backers, who joined his party weeks before the elections, have questionable pasts. The 65-year-old has also promised to create 10 million jobs.
Since the elections, Mr Khan has adopted a conciliatory approach to Pakistan’s neighbours and allies, saying he wants peace with hostile neighbour India, praising China’s economic strategy for reducing widespread poverty and sending a message to Washington that he wants good relations, based on mutual respect.