As Mamnoon Hussain was declared the new president of Pakistan on Tuesday evening, residents in Agra, the city of Taj Mahal, erupted in jubilation. Hussain was born in Agra March 3, 1940. As the news reached localities of this old city, particularly Nai ki Mandi area, Mantola, and Dholi Khar residents began celebrating the occasion by bursting firecrackers and distributed sweets.
Also, groups of people came on the streets with drums and greeted one another. The 73-year-old leader, who was fielded by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party, will be sworn in September 9 at the presidential palace due to be vacated by incumbent Asif Ali Zardari at the end of his five-year term.
But Mamnoon Hussain's victory in the presidential poll appeared to have offered a special joy and hope to the residents across this city. According to Dr Shiraz Qureshi, a local resident, Mamnoon Hussain was born in the Badi Hatai area of Nai ki Mandi. His family migrated to Pakistan after India's partition.
He said it is hoped Mamnoon Hussain would soon plan a trip to Agra and meet his relatives."Quite a few are still around and remember him."
Sameer Qureshi of the Qureshi Society told IANS: "People are so happy and very optimistic about a turn around in relations between the two countries."
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