In this photo released by Press Information Department, President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, left, administers the oath to newly-elected Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif at the Presidential Palace in Islamabad, Pakistan on Wednesday, June 5, 2013. Sharif took office Wednesday vowing to fix the country's ailing economy and end electricity blackouts while also calling for an end to American drone strikes in the tribal areas.
Supporters of new Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif dance as they celebrate in Karachi on June 5, 2013. Pakistan's new Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called on June 5 for an end to US drone strikes in the country's northwest, as he took office for an unprecedented third term. Some 13 years after he was deposed in a coup and sent into exile, the 63-year-old was formally chosen by a vote in the National Assembly and later took the oath of office from President Asif Ali Zardari.
New Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrives to inspect a guard of honour during a welcoming ceremony at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad on June 5, 2013. Pakistan's new Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called on June 5 for an end to US drone strikes in the country's northwest, as he took office for an unprecedented third term. Some 13 years after he was deposed in a coup and sent into exile, the 63-year-old was formally chosen by a vote in the National Assembly and later took the oath of office from President Asif Ali Zardari.
Supporters of Pakistan's Premier-elect Nawaz Sharif, celebrate outside parliament in Islamabad on June 5, 2013. Nawaz Sharif was endorsed as Pakistan's new prime minister on June 5, beginning an unprecedented third term with the country facing a daunting array of problems ranging from crippling power cuts to Taliban militancy. Some 13 years after he was deposed in a coup and sent into exile, the 63-year-old was formally chosen by a vote in the National Assembly and will take the oath from President Asif Ali Zardari later in the day.
Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday said he will not contest the next presidential polls later this year as his Pakistan Peoples Party no longer has a majority in the national and provincial assemblies after it was routed in the historic May 11 general elections.
Zardari said he felt he no longer has the right to contest the next presidential election, which will be held once he completes his tenure in September.
Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, center, and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, fourth right, watch as Pakistani and Chinese officials, foreground, sign an agreement during a ceremony in Islamabad, Pakistan on Wednesday, May 22, 2013. China's premier signed economic agreements and praised Pakistan in glowing terms as he began a two-day visit Wednesday, underscoring the importance of the longstanding alliance to the two Asian powers.
