In a significant political development, Shehbaz Sharif, President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has been elected as Pakistan’s 24th Prime Minister for the second time.
Shehbaz Sharif becomes Pakistan PM
The voting concluded in the National Assembly amid a session marked by uproar from the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).
صدر مسلم لیگ ن محمد شہبازشریف 201 ووٹ لے کر وزیراعظم پاکستان منتخب pic.twitter.com/F0fTxQGGRm
— PMLN (@pmln_org) March 3, 2024
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq announced that Shehbaz Sharif secured 201 votes, while his opponent Omar Ayub Khan, backed by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), received 92 votes.
Shehbaz Sharif, the joint candidate of an eight-party alliance, including the PML-N, PPP, MQM-P, PML-Q, BAP, PML-Z, IPP, and NP, enjoyed broad support with a total of 205 members. He faced opposition from Omar Ayub Khan, the nominee of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Voting Process
The National Assembly session commenced with recitation of the Holy Quran, Hadith, and Naat, followed by the national anthem. The voting process was completed with 205 members casting their votes. Notably, Akhter Mengal and JUI-F did not participate in the voting process.
Protests and Allegations
Protests erupted from PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council members, alleging electoral theft by the eight-party alliance. The lawmakers called for the release of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, claiming that Sharif had come to power through electoral rigging.
Objections and Dismissals
Omar Ayub Khan raised objections against Shehbaz Sharif, alleging manipulation in the acquisition of his NA seat through Form-47. However, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq dismissed the objection, stating that Sharif’s loss in the constituency, as indicated in Form-45, did not disqualify him from the PM election.
Reaction and Plans
Upon his election, Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude for the support and emphasized his commitment to addressing the challenges faced by Pakistan. He pledged to initiate a new era of progress, focusing on youth employment, business, and overall development.
Immediate Tasks
The newly formed government is expected to engage in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to negotiate a critical deal, as the existing agreement expires in April. The government will also need to address rising prices and discontent over deepening poverty.
As Shehbaz Sharif assumes office for the second time, the political landscape in Pakistan is poised for a period of economic negotiations, governance challenges, and the implementation of policies aimed at stabilizing the country’s economy.
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