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
By Munir Ahmed and Zarar Khan, Associated Press
August 13 2018 8:30 AM
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 342-seat National Assembly, the decision-making lower house of parliament.
Later on Monday, fireworks are to mark the eve of Pakistan’s Independence Day.
The parliament is to elect a speaker and his deputy on Wednesday and vote on the prime minister the following day. The swearing-in ceremony for the prime minister is due on Saturday.
I want all Pakistanis to celebrate 14th August, our Independence Day, with full fervour – especially as we are now moving towards Naya Pakistan & reclaiming Jinnah’s vision InshaAllah.
Mr Khan’s populist Tahreek-e-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 and some of them even face charges.
The 65-year-old has also promised to create 10 million jobs in Pakistan, where employment rate is high and more than 65% of the country’s 200 million people are under the age of 35.
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.
He also reached out to Afghanistan, suggesting the two nations adopt a policy of open borders, a relationship similar to the European Union.
Mr Khan has also disparaged liberals, attacked feminism, embraced radical religious parties and vowed to uphold Pakistan’s blasphemy law.
He enjoys the support of the country’s powerful military establishment, although he has been known to go his own way.
Press Association
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