080909-New President for Pakistan

New President for Pakistan

His election was no surprise but what happens now Asif Ali Zardari is President isn't so easy to predict.
At his swearing in ceremony he made welcome promises.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) ASIF ALI ZARDARI, PAKISTAN PRESIDENT, SAYING:

"I will not allow my personal interests to influence my official conduct or my official decisions."
The widower of the former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto replaces Pervez Musharraf.
After accepting the Presidency he sat alongside his Afghan counter part and also accepted the difficult task ahead.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) ASIF ALI ZARDARI, PAKISTAN PRESIDENT, SAYING:

"We know we have problems, we know we've had problems in the past and we know we will have problems in the future but one thing I can assure you we will stand with our neighbours we will stand with the people of Pakistan and look at the problems in the eyes and tell the world we are bigger than the problems are."
Zardari has two main priorities - tackling rising extremism and a failing economy.
Inflation is running at almost 25 per cent and many Pakistanis doubt his ability to deliver.

(SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) MISUL KHAN, SAYING:
 
"We voted for this government; the poor public voted for them and what are they giving us in return? They have increased prices, they have shut off our electricity, they have put an end to employment. The poor man is miserable and unhappy."

Zardari has also vowed to defeat the Taliban but many say his support for the US-led campaign is the cause of the problem.
The day before the swearing in ceremony US planes killed 16 people in a religious school on the Afghan border.

(SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) DR. ABDUL WAHAB, DOCTOR FROM BAJAUR TRIBAL REGION, SAYING:

"Even now, westerners are coming into our region and attacking us. NATO planes are taking pictures there, and bombing the area. The Pakistani government says 'we are doing it,' but actually it is the Americans who are doing it. I have seen it myself."
Zardari must walk a political tight rope - he must satisfy the Americans without upsetting his own people.
And there'll be no shortage of people waiting for him to fall.
 
Sonia Legg, Reuters.