Gillani sworn in as Pakistan PM

Yousuf Raza Gillani was today sworn in as Pakistan's new Prime Minister by President Pervez Musharraf at a ceremony boycotted by top leaders of the ruling coalition.

Clad in a black traditional sherwani, Gillani, the country's 25th Prime Minister and the first premier from the Pakistan People's Party who is not a member of the Bhutto family, was administered the oath by Musharraf in the central hall of the Aiwan-e-Sadr or presidency here.

PPP leaders shouted "Jiay Bhutto" (Long live Bhutto) as the oath was completed.

The ceremony was delayed by almost an hour as Gillani had gone to Karachi yesterday to attend the wedding of his son and had to rush back to the federal capital this morning.

Gillani, 55, was yesterday elected the prime minister by a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly or lower house of parliament.

PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, the two key leaders of the parties that have formed Pakistan's new coalition government, did not attend the swearing-in ceremony.

Zaradri's teenaged son Bilawal, who was named PPP chairman after Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in a pre-poll rally in December, too was conspicuous by his absence.

Musharraf shook hands with Gillani and spoke to him briefly before joining the guests.

(Reporting by Rezaul H Laskar)