Sharif urges all Pakistanis to help revive the economy

Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan elaborated his thinking of reviving the economy in his victory speech and called on people from all walks of life to come together to tide over economic and political challenges.

In a momentous turn of events, Sharif, the candidate backed by the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz and seven other parties, was declared the 24th prime minister on Sunday by the National Assembly Speaker, Ayaz Sadiq.

Sharif became the country's 23rd prime minister in April 2022 and served until last August following dissolution of parliament ahead of Feb 8 election. His triumph came after securing a resounding 201 votes in the National Assembly, effectively defeating the candidate supported by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and nominated by the Sunni Ittehad Council, Omar Ayub Khan, who gathered 92 votes.

Khan was backed primarily by former prime minister Imran Khan's supporters who initially ran as independents and later joined the SIC. Their current count in the assembly stands at 102 lawmakers, with one member yet to be sworn in. Notably, prominent parties like Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl and Balochistan National Party-Mengal had announced an election boycott.

The proceedings of the National Assembly session commenced with a slight delay of an hour, but the atmosphere was charged with anticipation. Notable figures including PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto, and other stalwarts from various political parties graced the National Assembly with their presence.

Shehbaz Sharif's ascension to the prime ministership marks a significant development in Pakistan's political landscape and his leadership will undoubtedly shape the course of the nation, according to analysts. Sharif, the younger brother of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, has also won support by Pakistan People's Party, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, Balochistan Awami Party, Pakistan Muslim League-Zia, Ittehad-e-Pakistan, and the National Party.

In his speech, Shehbaz Sharif said his government will focus on the revival of the economy and change the country's destiny. His government will prioritize producing tens of thousands of jobs for the young graduates.

Shehbaz also said the government would not allow Pakistan to become part of some "great game". Instead, the government would maintain cordial relations with the neighboring countries based on the principles of equality.

He also announced the introduction of visa-free entry into Pakistan from citizens of brotherly countries, Pakistan's GEO news reported.

Currently, 304 lawmakers have taken their oaths, while the Election Commission of Pakistan has withheld the notification of 23 reserved seats for women and minorities.

Speaker Sadiq, also of PML-N, emerged victorious in the speaker's election on Friday, securing 199 votes against his PTI rival Amir Dogar, who received 91 votes.

The speaker and deputy speaker elections were conducted through a secret ballot, amid protests by PTI lawmakers who deemed the process "unconstitutional," citing the incomplete allocation of reserved seats in the assembly. However, the JUI-F members and BNP-Mengal chief Akhtar Mengal, who had earlier boycotted the speaker and deputy speaker elections, have not made definitive statements regarding their participation in Sunday's election.

The election for prime minister will be held in accordance with Article 91 of the Constitution, which mandates a vote by the National Assembly. If no candidate secures a majority in the first poll, a second poll will be conducted between the top two contenders, with the candidate receiving the majority of votes declared as the prime minister-elect.

Also on Friday, the Election Commission of Pakistan announced that the polling for Pakistan's presidential election will be held on March 9 in the Parliament House and the four provincial assemblies of Pakistan.

An alliance of major political parties, including PML-N and PPP, has nominated Asif Ali Zardari as its candidate for the presidency. Zardari served as the president of Pakistan from 2008 to 2013.

Mahmood Khan Achakzai is a candidate of the Sunni Ittehad Council, which is backed by the PTI. Achakzai is chief of Pashtun¬khwa Milli Awami Party. Among others, advocate Asghar Ali Mubarak, an independent candidate Waheed Kamal, and Abdul Quddus also submitted their nomination papers to run for the presidential polls, according to GEO News.

KASWAR KLASRA is a freelance journalist in Islamabad. Contact the writers at vivienxu@chinadailyapac.com