Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
WASHINGTON DC, 4th March. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday took over the premiership of Pakistan for the second time after he got 201 votes in the National Assembly, became the 24th prime minister.
The National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq announced after protest by the SIC lawmakers said “Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has been elected prime minister with 201 votes.Omar Ayub Khan obtained 92 votes.
The speaker invited Shehbaz Sharif, the only politician to be elected as the PM for the second consecutive time to sit in the prime minister’s seat and asked him to address the house, local news media reported.
Shehbaz Sharif, surrounded by party leaders, thanked PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif for nominating him for the coveted post and expressed gratitude to his allies for supporting him, in his speech
Sharif took a jibe at the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for hounding the opposition, going against the country’s national interests while resorting to leveling serious allegations against the armed forces.
He said “It is sad that the nation had to witness the [state] institutions including the GHQ, Corps Commander Houses being attacked.
Sharif recalled the May 9 riots that were triggered after the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan in a graft case last year, media reported.
Sadiq asked the Assembly staff to ring the bell for five minutes so that any member that is not present in the house could come to the floor for the PM’s election.
Sadiq directed the National Assembly staff to lock the doors and announced the method for electing PM, according to Geo News report.
Pakistan National Assembly speaker informed the lawmakers about the candidates who were contesting for the PM’s post.
He said, “Valid nominated candidates are Shehbaz Sharif and Omar Ayub. Honourable members who wish to vote in favour of Shehbaz may proceed to the lobby on the right side designated as ‘Lobby A’.”
The session started with the oath-taking of PML-N leader Jam Kamal. However, the House soon started echoed slogans and chants raised by SIC members in favor of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and the eight-party alliance backing Shehbaz Sharif.
Imran Khan’s PTI-backed independents secured victory in 97 of the 265 seats, followed by Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N which won 76 seats. As many as 54 seats were won by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).
The PTI alleged rigging in the counting of votes and claimed that his party’s candidates won more than 150 seats.
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