ISLAMABAD, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Former Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday was elected as the chairman of the Senate, or the upper house, of the country's parliament, Presiding Officer of the election Senator Ishaq Dar announced.

Dar, also foreign minister of the country, announced that Gilani was elected unopposed after no one filed nominated papers to contest the election.

Gilani who belongs to the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians served the country as prime minister from 2008 to 2012.

Syedal Khan Nasir of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz was also elected as the deputy chairman of the house unopposed, said the presiding officer.

Earlier this month, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari summoned the house to meet for its inaugural session on Tuesday for the oath-taking of newly-elected members and the election of the Senate chairman and deputy chairman.

Tuesday's session was the first session of the Senate after its elections held on April 2, 2024.

Senators of the opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf of former Prime Minister Imran Khan protested against the election, saying that the house is not complete to hold the chairman election after the Election Commission of Pakistan postponed the senate elections in the northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

After taking oath as the chairman, Gilani said the senators presented the unity of the federation and the Senate represented the diversity and strength of the nation.

Gilani added that he would play an active role in building bridges, enabling dialogue and providing space for disagreements within the parliamentary norms for the country's progress. Enditem

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