Pakistan's caretaker PM takes office

Pakistan’s caretaker PM was sworn into office on Monday, drawing a line under protracted political wrangling and putting the country on course for an historic election period.

Pakistan’s caretaker PM was sworn into office on Monday, drawing a line under protracted political wrangling and putting the country on course for an historic election period.

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Retired judge Mir Hazar Khan Khoso, 84, was selected by the election commission after a parliamentary committee and rival parties failed to agree on a candidate. He comes from the troubled southwestern province of Balochistan.

At a short ceremony presided over by President Asif Ali Zardari and broadcast live on television, Khoso took the oath of office. Close Zardari associates and members of the outgoing government attended the ceremony.

Khoso is now expected to pick a paired-down interim cabinet that will preside with him over the country until the victor of the May 11 general election can form a coalition government and take office. Khoso was one of two candidates nominated by the outgoing govt.