Pakistan's Senate chief Mohammedmian Soomro on Monday took over as acting president in the wake of Pervez Musharraf's resignation.
Sixty-five-year-old Musharraf, who announced his decision to step down in an emotional address to the nation televised internationally, sent his resignation to the speaker of the National Assembly, lower house of Parliament, officials said.
After his resignation, Soomro, the chairman of Pakistan Parliament's upper house Senate, became the acting president with immediate effect.
Under the Pakistani Constitution, the Senate chairman automatically becomes the president on the post falling vacant.
The Senate chief need not take separate oath to assume charge as acting president.
Musharraf, a former commando, announced in his address that he was resigning in order to avoid a conflict between national institutions like the presidency and the government.
He also dismissed the charges levelled against him by the ruling coalition, saying none of them could be proved.
Soomroo called on Musharraf after he announced his resignation.
Chief Justice Abdul Hamid Dogar, Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Tariq Majid and Air Force Chief Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed also met the former military ruler.
