Usman Buzdar sworn in as Chief Minister Punjab

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Usman Ahmed Khan Buzdar was sworn in on Monday at a simple ceremony held at the Governor House in Lahore.

The oath was administered by acting governor Pervaiz Elahi who was elected as the speaker of Punjab Assembly last week.

Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Dr Hassan Askari Rizvi, members of the provincial assembly, representatives from the armed forces, PTI leaders, lawyers and members of civil society were also present on the occasion.

Chief Secretary Punjab Akbar Hussain Durrani read out the order of the appointment. Later, the chief minister was presented a guard of honour by Police as officers and staff members welcomed him.

Prominent among the guests were governor-designate Chaudhry Sarwar, ministers of the caretaker cabinet, members from South Punjab, senior PTI leaders including former opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed, Aleem Khan, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Waleed Iqbal, Inspector-General Police Punjab Kaleem Imam and other government functionaries.

Yesterday, Mr Buzdar was elected by the Punjab Assembly as leader of house. Mr Buzdar secured 186 votes in the 371-member house while his rival, the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz’s Hamza Shehbaz could get 159 votes.

Addressing the assembly, the new CM said he will bring the best team and focus all energies on the service of the public in line with the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

“We have to bring improvements to institutions and do away with status quo,” he told the house, adding that his only merit to be appointed to the coveted post is his hailing from an underprivileged area of the province.

He announced to fix and bring the Punjab police at par with that of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. He said his top priority would be good governance and taming corruption.

Mr Buzdar thanked the opposition for taking part in the democratic process.