Shehbaz Sharif takes oath as new PM of Pakistan, calls Imran Khan’s ‘foreign conspiracy’ claims as ‘drama’

PTI

Islamabad, April 11

Shehbaz Sharif was sworn-in as the new Prime Minister of Pakistan on Monday, bringing to an end the political uncertainty that had gripped the country since a no-confidence motion was introduced against his predecessor Imran Khan on March 8.

Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani administered oath of office to 70-year-old Shehbaz in President Arif Alvi's absence, who went on 'sick' leave ahead of the PML-N leader's inauguration.

Earlier, Sharif was elected unopposed as the Prime Minister by Parliament after rival candidate Shah Mahmood Qureshi announced that his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party will boycott the voting and staged a walkout.

Shehbaz Sharif said he wants good relations with India, but it can't be achieved without resolution of Kashmir issue.

The newly-elected Prime Minister termed ousted premier Imran Khan’s ‘foreign conspiracy’ claims as “drama”, saying he will resign and go home if it is proved.

Addressing Parliament after his election as the country’s 23rd Prime Minister, Shehbaz said that good has prevailed over evil.

“Pakistan’s National Security Committee would be briefed on a controversial letter related to the so-called foreign conspiracy,” he said, terming Khan’s ‘foreign conspiracy’ claims as “drama”.

Khan had alleged that the US was involved in a conspiracy to topple his government.

“I will resign and go home if conspiracy is proved in letter controversy,” Shehbaz said.

Shehbaz, 70, was elected unopposed as the new Prime Minister of Pakistan by Parliament after rival candidate Shah Mahmood Qureshi announced that his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party will boycott the voting and staged a walkout.

Shehbaz, the younger brother of former three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif, received 174 votes — two more than the simple majority of 172.

He has served as chief minister of the country’s most populous and politically crucial Punjab province thrice.

Former president and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chair Asif Ali Zardari had proposed Shehbaz’s name for prime minister’s position in a joint opposition’s meeting to replace Imran Khan through a no-confidence motion.

The process of electing the new leader of the House began on Sunday after prime minister Imran Khan was removed from office through the no-confidence vote, becoming the first premier in the country’s history to be sent home after losing the trust of the House.

Pakistan has struggled with political instability since its formation in 1947 with multiple regime changes and military coups. No prime minister has ever completed a full five-year term. PTI

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