Newly-elected President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari has decided not to draw salary amid economic challenges faced by the country.

“He [Zardari] took this decision to encourage prudent financial management in the country. The President considered it important not to burden the national exchequer and preferred to forgo his salary,” according to a post from the President of Pakistan X account on Tuesday.

The PPP co-chairman took oath as president of Pakistan for a second term at a ceremony at the Aiwan-i-Sadr in Islamabad on March 10.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa administered oath to the newly-elected president of Pakistan. Outgoing president Dr Alvi also attended the ceremony.

Succeeding Dr Arif Alvi as the 14th president of Pakistan, Zardari became the only civilian president to have been elected to the Office for a second term.