Shehbaz Sharif is the New Prime Minister of Pakistan after Imran Khan was ousted with a vote of no confidence by the members of the parliament. Mr. Sharif is the opposition coalition leader and won the majority of the votes. He is expected to remain in power until August of 2023.
Imran Khan was ousted on Sunday with a vote of no confidence due to economic mishandling. He tried to call for snap elections and dissolve the parliament but was blocked by the Supreme Court. His actions we cited as unconstitutional and allowed the voting to proceed.
Shehbaz Sharif is named the 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan on Monday. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party led by Mr. Khan boycotted the parliamentary vote and staged a walkout.
Shehbaz Sharif has always been overshadowed by his older brother, Nawaz Sharif, who was Prime Minister of Pakistan three times. He, on the other hand, has advocated for reconciliation with the “establishment,” whilst Nawaz has publicly criticized the army since his expulsion from office.
Shehbaz, like his brother, has been accused of corruption and spent time in jail under Mr. Khan’s presidency. He has never been charged with a crime and believes the claims are politically motivated. Hamza Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif’s son, wants to follow in his father’s footsteps and become Punjab’s next chief minister.
The Sharif clan is seen by Imran Khan’s followers as part of the dynastic, “old Pakistan” that they want to be forgotten.
Shehbaz Sharif submitted his candidacy for the top post on Sunday, before winning 174 votes in parliament the following day – two more than a simple majority of lawmakers.