Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan's PM-Elect, to take oath today

Islamabad: Shehbaz Sharif is poised to be sworn in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan today, marking his second term in office since 2022, amidst the country's significant economic and security challenges. The oath will be administered by President Arif Alvi in a ceremony at the President's residence this afternoon.

The swearing-in ceremony follows the agreement between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan Peoples Party on a power-sharing arrangement to establish a coalition government. Shehbaz, 72, previously served as the prime minister of a coalition government from April 2022 to August 2023, before the Parliament was dissolved for general elections last month.

The oath-taking ceremony is expected to be attended by Pakistan Army Chief Gen Asim Munir, caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar, and the chief ministers and governors of all four provinces. On Sunday, Shehbaz comfortably secured a majority in the newly-elected Parliament amidst opposition sloganeering.

Shehbaz, the consensus candidate of the PML-N and the PPP, received 201 votes in the 336-member Parliament. His opponent, Omar Ayub Khan of the jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), secured 92 votes.

In the February 8 polls, which were marred by allegations of vote rigging, the Sharif-led party failed to secure a clear majority, although it is technically the largest party with 75 out of the 265 contested seats. Known for his political acumen and administrative skills, Shehbaz was tasked by his elder brother and former three-time prime minister to negotiate with other like-minded parties to form a coalition government.

In addition to the PPP, Shehbaz received support from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM-P), Pakistan Muslim League (Q), Balochistan Awami Party, Pakistan Muslim League (Z), Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party, and the National Party.

The new leader faces the daunting task of making tough decisions to reform the economy of the financially-strapped country and its administration. In his inaugural speech after being elected, Shehbaz addressed the struggling economy and stated that it would necessitate reforms to alleviate the country's financial difficulties.

He also faces the challenge of mending ties with neighbouring countries for peace and stability. He confronts opposition from Khan's party, which has vowed to continue protesting the alleged manipulation of the February 8 election results.

The country's security situation has also worsened in recent months, with a rise in terror attacks by the Pakistan Taliban and other terror groups. During Shehbaz’s two consecutive tenures as chief minister of Punjab (2008-2013 and 2013-2018), a network of underpasses, overhead bridges, and mass transit systems was introduced in the most populous Punjab province and was completed in record time.

Born in September 1951 into a Punjabi-speaking Kashmiri family in Lahore, Shehbaz completed his graduation from the Government College University, Lahore. His family emigrated from Anantnag in Kashmir for business and settled in the village of Jati Umra in Amritsar district, Punjab at the beginning of the 20th century before moving to Pakistan.