Newly-elected MNAs took oath in the inaugural session of the 15th National Assembly on Monday.
The swearing-in marked the third consecutive democratic transfer of power in the country.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, who is set to become the country's next prime minister, also took the oath.
Outgoing NA speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq administered oath to the newly-elected members. This was followed by signing of the ‘Roll of Members’.
Other leaders of prominent political parties including PPP's Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Asif Zardari, and PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif were also in attendance. Bilawal, who has been elected to the National Assembly for the first time, shook hands with Imran Khan as the MNA-elects took their seats.
The first sessions of the new Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Balochistan assemblies are also being convened today. The Punjab Assembly session, on the other hand, is slated for August 15 after the Independence Day.
Elections for Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly will be held on August 15.
President Mamnoon Hussain approved the NA's first session for August 13 on the request of caretaker prime minister Justice (retd) Nasir-ul-Mulk.
PM selection subject to nomination papers' submission
The selection of the prime minister is conditional on the submission of their nomination papers on August 16, which, if done as per schedule, would pave way for the process to be completed by the evening on the same day. Otherwise, the selection will be done on the morning of August 17.
The Prime Minister-elect's oath-taking ceremony is slated for August 18, at the President House.
Once the allotment of general seats was finalised, those reserved for women and minorities were also allocated to the political parties.
PTI leads with 158 NA seats
Leading the race with the most number of MNA-elects is the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) with 158 seats (125 general, 28 women and five minorities).
However, candidates elected to more than one seat are required to vacate all except one, which would reduce the tally for the Imran Khan-led PTI, leaving them to rely on support from Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan's seven members, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid's five, Balochistan Awami Party's five, and Balochistan National Party-Mengal's four members.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz is in second place with a total of 82 seats, after winning 64 general seats, two minority seats and 16 women seats.
The Pakistan Peoples Party is at a distant third with a total of 53 seats, with 42 general seats, two seats reserved for minorities, and nine reserved for women.
Security arrangements finalised
From Bani Gala to the Parliament House, security arrangements have been finalised, authorities and sources confirmed, while additional measures will also be implemented for the NA session.
According to sources, the security in the district, including the red zone areas, will be on "red alert", and only people with special passes will be allowed into the Parliament.
Police and Rangers have been deployed in the area. No random person would be let into the red zone.
