Mr Gillani is a senior member of the Pakistan People's Party that emerged the main winner of the February polls.

This is the first time in 12 years that the PPP will head the government, a coalition with a substantial majority.

Mr Gillani's first move on Monday was to order the release of judges detained after President Pervez Dozens of Pakistani judges freed ...
Bhutto inquiry 'unsatisfactory' ... Musharraf imposed emergency rule in November.

The oath was administered by President Pervez Musharraf.

The ceremony, held at the president's official residence, began with the playing of Pakistan national anthem, followed by recitation of Koranic verses.

Boycotted

The PPP nominated Mr Gillani as its candidate at the weekend. MPs elected him prime minister on Monday.

The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan in Islamabad says that Mr Gillani is much admired within the PPP. He resisted pressure from President Musharraf to desert the party, refusing to do any deals with him.

Mr Gillani was sent to jail in 2001, serving five years following a conviction over illegal government appointments.

The sentence was passed by an anti-corruption court formed by President Musharraf.

His opponents say it was a means of intimidating and coercing their members to join his government.

(BBC)

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