Islamabad, Sept 14 : Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza became her country’s first de-facto President, as both President Asif Ali Zardari and Senate Chairman Mohammadmian Soomro are presently out of the country.

As per Article 49(2) of Pakistan’s Constitution, the National Assembly Speaker assumes the charge of the President if both the President and Senate Chairman are out of the country.

Under the article, she will hold the office until the return of either the president or the Senate chairman, reported the Daily Times.

The Senate Chairman performs duties as Acting President in the absence of the President.

Pakistan has now obtained the distinction of being the first Muslim state with a female prime minister (Benazir Bhutto), female speaker of parliament, and a female acting head of state, added the paper. (ANI)