Pakistan’s newly formed parliament elected Shehbaz Sharif as prime minister for the second time on Sunday, three weeks after an uncertain national election delayed the formation of a coalition government.
Parliament Speaker Ayaz Sadiq announced that Sharif had received 201 votes in the House of Representatives, exceeding the required 169 votes, and said: “Shehbaz Sharif has been announced as the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.” .
He defeated Omar Ayub, a candidate backed by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, with 92 votes.
The declaration sparked a loud protest from the Sunni Ittihad Council (SIC) party, which Khan supports. Lawmakers demanded Khan’s release and chanted slogans alleging that Sharif had come to power through election fraud.
The Feb. 8 election was marred by mobile internet shutdowns, arrests and widespread violence, and an unusually late result prompted accusations that the vote was rigged.
Sharif returned to the role he held until August, when parliament was dissolved and a caretaker government was formed before elections. No party could win a majority.
Sharif, 72, is the younger brother of three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who led the election campaign of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Party (PML-N).
Candidates backed by Khan won the most seats, but the PML-N and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) agreed to form a coalition government, with his brother Shehbaz Sharif resigning and being elected prime minister. Ta.
Sharif’s government was able to negotiate a key International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement during its previous term, but the process has been mired in difficulties, with measures called for in the deal expiring in April preventing rising prices. This contributes to increasing pressure on the poor. and a middle class family.
The new government should immediately begin talks with the IMF for the next deal to strengthen the country’s economy while addressing growing dissatisfaction with deepening poverty.
The government will also have to deal with continued challenges from Mr Khan’s supporters.
