Pakistan's newly elected National Assembly starts first session

The first session of Pakistan's newly-elected National Assembly, or the lower house of the parliament in the country, started for the oath-taking of its members here on Saturday morning.

Speaker of the outgoing National Assembly Fehmida Mirza administered the oath to the new members. Mirza, who is also elected member of the National Assembly, congratulated the new members in her brief remarks.

State and private TV channels aired live the oath-taking ceremony.

The first session of the National Assembly marked the first phase of transition of power to the newly-elected people's representatives at the center and four provinces following the May 11 general elections.

The 342-member National Assembly is expected to elect new speaker and deputy speaker on Monday.

The house will elect the country's new prime minister on June 5.

All parties held parliamentary party meetings before the session and discussed strategy.

Prime Minister-in-waiting Nawaz Sharif presided over the meeting of his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Sharif, who has served as prime minister, will lead Pakistan for the third time.

The outgoing ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamiat ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement also held separate meetings.

The PTI chief, Imran Khan, could not attend the first session as doctors have advised him more rest. Khan was injured after falling off a lift during the election campaign.

The PPP, PTI and MQM have decided to sit on the opposition benches. JUI-F is holding talks with the PML-N for a possible coalition.

The opposition parties will discuss appointment of a consensus leader of the opposition and a PPP leader Syed Khurshid Shah says that he will hold talks with other opposition groups for a strong opposition.