Islamabad, Mar 24 (ANI): The National Assembly on Monday elected PPP's Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani as the new Prime Minister of Pakistan with thumping majority.
Gilani bagged 264 votes. The rival candidate Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, fielded by the Pakistan Muslim League-Q and its allies secured only 42 votes.
The speaker divided the house in two parts directing the supporters of Yousuf Raza Gilani towards A Lobby and the supporters of Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi to B Lobby.
Kashmala Tariq failed to reach the Parliament House in time and was denied entry in the house.
Earlier, the National Assembly has begun a session to elect the new Prime Minister with Speaker Dr. Fahmida Mirza in the chair.
According to The News, the members of National Assembly participated in the proceedings under rule 35 of the Rules of Business to elect the new Prime Minister.
The House elected the new Prime Minister of the country through a division mechanism as no secret vote is held for election of the Prime Minister.
The PPP-led alliance has already demonstrated its strength in the National Assembly during the Speaker's election when its candidate Dr Fahmida Mirza secured 249 votes while Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi polled 246.
Now the MQM, which has 25 members in the National Assembly, also voted for Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.
The National Assembly has total strength of 342 members but its existing strength is 330, as 12 seats stand vacated.
In a maiden speech on the floor of National Assembly after he was elected as Prime Minister, he said, "I request the national assembly as my first job to pass a resolution for UN probe into the assassination of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto."
Gillani attributed the Pakistan People's Party's success to the struggle and sacrifice offered by Benazir Bhutto.
He congratulated PPP's Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, PPP workers, Asfandyar Wali, Muttahida Qaumi Movemet and coalition partners for their support.
He said the yesterday's opposition has become today's government due to the continuous struggle and sacrifices laid out by the workers of PPP.
Amid loud slogans by the supporters, the Prime Minister invited all political forces to come forward and pull the country out of the economic and other crisis.
"When there is consensus, we will be successful in overcoming the challenges facing the country," Gillani said.
He emphasized the significance of rule of law and strengthening of institutions and the independence of media.
We will take the opposition along and respect their point of view as well as positive criticism.
He also said the National Assembly should pass another resolution to apologise to the nation for hanging of Zulfiquar Ali Bhutto.
Gilani also said that he would issue the immediate directives for release of the held judges, The News reported.
He vowed to take efforts for the resolution of multiple problems of people, saying, " We realize that the people of the country confront several problems including shortage of electrify." (ANI)
