Zardari becomes the only civilian president elected for a historic second time after obtaining 411 votes.
- Zardari becomes the first civilian president elected for the second time.
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says Zardari's success is “continuity of democracy”.
- Sindh CM, Governor and PPP Senator Sherry Rehman congratulate Zardari.
The ruling coalition's presidential candidate, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, won the head of state election with a landslide on Saturday, drawing congratulations from politicians across the country.
Zardari became the only civilian president elected for a historic second time after securing 411 electoral college votes, beating Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) candidate Mahmood Khan Achakzai.
Congratulating the president-elect on his success, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the elected members of all provincial and national legislatures expressed confidence in the ruling coalition candidate.
He expressed hope that Zardari will fulfill his responsibilities as president well and represent the strength of the Centre.
“The election of Zardari as President is the continuity of democratic values,” said Prime Minister Shehbaz, pledging on behalf of the ruling coalition to work for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also congratulated Zardari on becoming president for a second term.
In a statement issued by the CM's Office, Shah said Zardari's success with an overwhelming majority was the “victory of democracy”.
The new president would put the country on the path to prosperity by combining all state units, he added.
Additionally, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab also congratulated Zardari in separate statements.
Tessori said Zardari's election as president was “proof of the success of the democratic process.”
Meanwhile, Wahab also praised the “victory of democracy” in Zardari's success.
“Zardari has always prioritized the Constitution and the country,” he added.
PPP Senator Sherry Rehman said she termed today's presidential election as “legacy elections” in which Zardari became the “historic president of Pakistan for the second time.”
Other politicians, including PPP's Haider Gillani and Punjab Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, also congratulated the president-elect.
