Pakistan’s new parliament set to be sworn in

ISLAMABAD: Newly elected members of Pakistan’s National Assembly are preparing to be sworn in, officially marking the first transition of power between democratically elected governments in the 66-year history of the country.

Dressed in their finest on a sunny Saturday, the incoming lawmakers arrived at the parliament building in Islamabad under tight security. Outgoing Speaker Fehmida Mirza was to administer the oath to them.

Saturday’s session comes weeks after the Pakistan Muslim League-N party of Nawaz Sharif won 176 seats in the 342-member lower house of Parliament. The previous ruling Pakistan People’s Party was crushed, earning just 39 seats.

Sharif, who is expected to be the next prime minister, and his party face numerous challenges, including massive energy shortages, a badly ailing economy and ongoing militancy.