The National Assembly of Pakistan has elected Fahmida Mirza of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) as its first female speaker, weeks after the general elections which ousted President Pervez Musharraf's party and gave the PPP the most seats in Parliament. Mirza, a former medical doctor who has previously served three terms in the National Assembly, was the joint candidate of the PPP, the Pakistan Muslim League (N) ( PML-N), the Awami National Party (ANP), and other allied parties. She received 249 votes out of the 324 who were present. Her main rival candidate, Israr Tareen from the former ruling party Pakistan Muslim League (Q) ( PML-Q), received only 70 votes. The result was announced by Chaudhry Amir Hussain , the outgoing speaker. "Fahmida Mirza is declared to have been elected speaker of the National Assembly," he said, as other Parliament members pounded their desks in approval. Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi , parliamentary leader of the pro-Musharraf PML-Q, told Mirza, "This is a big test and I hope that with the honour that Allah has bestowed upon you, you will be able to live up to expectations." Later, in elections for the deputy speaker, PPP candidate Faisal Kundi defeated Khush Bakhat Shujaat of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement , which is allied with the PML-Q.
The of Pakistan has elected of the (PPP) as its first female speaker, weeks after the general elections which ousted President Pervez Musharraf's party and gave the PPP the most seats in Parliament. Mirza, a former medical doctor who has previously served three terms in the National Assembly, was the joint candidate of the PPP, the ( PML-N), the (ANP), and other allied parties. She received 249 votes out of the 324 who were present. Her main rival candidate, from the former ruling party ( PML-Q), received only 70 votes. The result was announced by , the outgoing speaker. "Fahmida Mirza is declared to have been elected speaker of the National Assembly," he said, as other Parliament members pounded their desks in approval. , parliamentary leader of the pro-Musharraf PML-Q, told Mirza, "This is a big test and I hope that with the honour that Allah has bestowed upon you, you will be able to live up to expectations." Later, in elections for the deputy speaker, PPP candidate defeated of the , which is allied with the PML-Q.
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National Assembly
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Fahmida Mirza of the Pakistan Peoples Party
of the
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Pakistan Muslim League (N) (
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Awami National Party
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Israr Tareen
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Pakistan Muslim League (Q) (
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Chaudhry Amir Hussain
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Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi
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Faisal Kundi defeated Khush Bakhat Shujaat of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement
defeated of the