Shehbaz Sharif re-elected as Pakistan's Prime Minister
Pakistan’s newly formed parliament elected Shehbaz Sharif as prime minister for a second time on Sunday. This follows three weeks of uncertainty after national elections caused delays in the formation of a coalition government.
Controversy Surrounding Election:
The elections, held on Feb. 8, were marred by a mobile internet shutdown, arrests, and violence in the build-up. The delay in results fueled accusations of rigging, casting a shadow over the legitimacy of the vote.
Tight security surrounded the vote in parliament, which convened for the first time on Thursday. Supporters of imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan have protested against the outcome and demanded his release.
Allegations of Rigging and Calls for Audit:
The Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) party, supported by Imran Khan, alleges rigging and calls for an audit of the polls. With no single party securing a majority, the political landscape remains contentious.
Shehbaz Sharif, the 72-year-old younger brother of three-time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, spearheaded the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party’s election campaign. Despite candidates backed by Khan gaining the most seats, the PML-N and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) agreed to form a coalition government, facilitating Sharif’s election as prime minister.
Newly elected PM’s speech
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Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, in a marathon 1.24-hour speech, urged Muslims to raise their voices for the Islamic world, advocating for the rights of Palestinians in Gaza and Kashmiris in India. Sharif emphasized the atrocities faced by Kashmiris under Indian rule and the struggles of Palestinians in Gaza for freedom and land, lamenting the international community’s silence on these issues. He called for unity in Parliament to pass resolutions supporting the freedom of Kashmir and Palestine.
Nawaz Sharif hailed his brother’s leadership
Upon his announcement as Prime Minister, Shahbaz Sharif was embraced by his elder brother Nawaz Sharif. Expressing gratitude towards Nawaz, Shahbaz highlighted his brother’s tenure as a three-time Prime Minister, crediting him for significant developmental strides in Pakistan. He hailed Nawaz Sharif’s leadership as pivotal in the nation’s progress, alongside acknowledging the sacrifices of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
Challenges Ahead:
In his previous term, Sharif’s government negotiated a critical International Monetary Fund (IMF) deal. However, challenges persisted, and measures required by the agreement, expiring in April, led to rising prices and pressure on households.
The new government faces the urgent task of initiating talks with the IMF for the next agreement to stabilize the country’s economy. Additionally, it must address growing discontent over poverty and confront ongoing challenges from Khan’s supporters.
