GK News Service
New Delhi, Mar 3
Shehbaz Sharif assumes office as Pakistan’s prime minister amidst a backdrop of contested elections marred by accusations of rigging and irregularities.
Representing the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) party, Sharif emerged as the chosen leader of an eight-party coalition, necessitated by the absence of a clear majority winner in the February 8th election.
In a parliamentary session on Sunday, Sharif secured victory over Omer Ayub of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan’s party which now shifts to the role of the opposition. Sharif, the younger sibling of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, previously held the premiership from April 2022 to August 2023 following Khan’s removal from power
Acknowledging his brother’s contribution to the nation in his acceptance speech, Sharif’s appointment follows weeks of political negotiations following the contentious election. Despite PTI’s initial lead in seats, PML-N’s alliance with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and other parties enabled them to establish a majority government, with Sharif as prime minister and Asif Ali Zardari of PPP as president.
However, PTI and its affiliates, including Imran Khan, who is currently in jail on what they claim are politically motivated charges, have challenged the election results, alleging widespread rigging. Challenges have been lodged with the election commission and courts, with accusations even extending to coercion of election officials.
PTI’s refusal to boycott parliamentary proceedings indicates their intent to challenge what they perceive as a “mandate theft.” Their protests during the vote underscore the deep polarization within Pakistani politics.