The oath-taking ceremony concluded after a military band playing Pakistan's nation anthem.

Residents pass a billboard displaying a picture of Asif Ali Zardari (L), a presidential candidate and the widower of slain former prime minister Benazir Bhutto (R), in Larkana September 5, 2008. [Xinhua/Reuters Photo]

 

Shortly after the grand ceremony, Zardari, widower of slain former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, was given the guard of honor by a contingent of three armed forces at the presidential house, which he moved in on Monday.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai, at the invitation of Zardari, also attended the oath-taking ceremony, a sign of goodwill to ease bilateral tensions.

The Pakistani-Afghan relations have been strained over the anti-terrorism issue. Afghan side has accused Pakistan's intelligence agency of involvement in a string of deadly attacks in Afghanistan.

But former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, the main opposition leader, did not appear at the oath-taking ceremony.

Supporters of the ruling Pakistan People's Party light fireworks as they celebrate the victory of Asif Ali Zardari in the country's presidential election, in Multan September 7, 2008. Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto, swept to victory in a presidential election on Saturday, as a suicide bomber killed at least 10 people in the northwest.[Xinhua/Reuters Photo]