ISLAMABAD: Chaudhry Fazal Elahi was elected as the first President of Pakistan under the country’s new Constitution at a joint session of the Parliament’s two Houses here today [Aug 10].

He secured 139 votes against 45 polled by the Opposition candidate Amirzada Khan out of a total of 191 — 45 of the Senate and 146 of the National Assembly. Six members, including Vice-President Nurul Amin and Amba­ssador in UK Mian Mumtaz Daultana, did not come to cast their votes. One vote polled in favour of Fazal Elahi, was declared invalid.

The six-hour joint session of the two Houses, which was adjourned sine die after the elections and presentation of felicitations to the President-elect by both the sides, was marked throughout by an atmosphere of solemnity that is expected on such occasions.

It was an inspiring sight to watch leaders on both sides rise in their seats gracefully describing the “first-ever election of the country’s President by directly chosen representatives of the people” as a historic occasion, and expressing hope that enforcement of the new Constitution will enable the people to establish healthy democratic conventions, and prove that their country was fit for democracy. — Special Representative

Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2023