ISLAMABAD – President Asif Ali Zardari has decided not to draw his salary in view of prevailing economic challenges.
The President took this decision to encourage prudent financial management in the country, a statement issued by the president office said on Tuesday.
He considered it essential not to burden the national exchequer and preferred to forgo his salary.
A day earlier, President Asif Ali Zardari was presented guard of honor at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad as he assumed office of the President of Pakistan.
During the ceremony, the national anthem was played while smartly turned-out contingents of the Armed Forces of Pakistan presented him salute. The President inspected the guard of honor.
Later, the President Zardari was introduced with the staff of the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
On Sunday Asif Ali Zardari has taken oath as the 14th President of Pakistan.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa administered the oath to Asif Ali Zardai at a ceremony held at the President House in Islamabad.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, former Prime Minister and PML-N Supremo Nawaz Sharif, parliamentarians, political leaders, Services Chiefs and other high officials attended the ceremony.
Asif Ali Zardari, as a joint candidate of the PML-N and the PPP, defeated Sunni Ittehad Council candidate Mahmood Khan Achakzai in the presidential elections held on Saturday.
Asif Ali Zardari is the first elected president of Pakistan, who succeeded in reaching the president office for a second time.
Earlier, he served as the 11th President of Pakistan from 2008 to 2013 and was the first politician to complete a full term in office.