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Last Updated: March 04, 2024, 16:56 IST
Pakistan’s newly elected PM Shehbaz Sharif, delivers speech after elected as the country’s prime minister for second term, in the National Assembly building in Islamabad, March 3. (Reuters)
Shehbaz Sharif sworn in as Pakistan’s 24th prime minister in a ceremony attended by political leaders and military officials
Shehbaz Sharif, PML-N leader and younger brother of three-time premier Nawaz, on Sunday was in as the 24th prime minister of Pakistan. He was administered an oath by President Arif Alvi at his official residence in the capital city of Islamabad.
The ceremony was attended by Nawaz, former president Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and the chief ministers of all Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan. Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir was also in attendance, the Dawn newspaper reported.
Read More: Pakistan: Shehbaz Sharif Becomes Prime Minister For The Second Time; Thanks Elder Brother Nawaz
On Monday, the 72-year-old leader took the oath to officially become prime minister for a second time, nearly four weeks after an uncertain national election caused delays in the formation of a coalition government. Shehbaz officially took up office at a swearing-in ceremony at the presidential office in the nation’s capital, Islamabad, a day after parliament elected him prime minister despite protests from lawmakers aligned with jailed former premier Imran Khan.
Candidates backed by Khan gained the most seats but the PML-N and PPP agreed to form a coalition government. The PML-N is spearheaded by Shehbaz’s elder brother, Nawaz, but he decided not to take the prime minister’s post. The younger Sharif returned to the role he previously held until August last year when parliament was dissolved to prepare for the election.
Earlier, the Feb. 8 election was marred by a mobile internet shutdown, violence in its build-up and the unusually delayed results triggered accusations that the vote was rigged. Experts would now be watching closely for an announcement by Sharif on the cabinet, especially the important finance portfolio. The next finance minister will have to immediately undertake tough talks with the IMF to get a new multi-billion dollar funding deal, with the current one expiring in April.
(With agency inputs)
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