Pakistani lawmakers begin electing new president

Islamabad, Sep 4 : Polling has started in Pakistan to elect a president, a process likely to strengthen the grip of the ruling party whose nominee is expected to easily become the new ceremonial head of state.

The president is indirectly elected by lawmakers from the National Assembly, the Senate and four provincial assemblies.

Tuesday’s election comes two weeks after Pakistan’s cricket star-turned-politician Imran Khan became prime minister following the July 25 national elections, which saw his Tehreek-e-Insaf party come into power.

Khan’s candidate Arif Alvi faces little challenge from Aitzaz Ahsan from the opposition Pakistan People’s Party and Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who is a pro-Taliban, anti-U.S. radical Islamic leader.