Shehbaz Sharif
Premiership of Shehbaz Sharif
April 11, 2022 – August 14, 2023
Shehbaz Sharif
CabinetShehbaz Sharif ministry
PartyPakistan Muslim League (N)
ElectionSee no-confidence vote against Imran Khan
SeatPrime Minister's Office, Islamabad Capital Territory

On 10 April 2022, Shehbaz Sharif was nominated as candidate for Prime Minister of Pakistan by opposition parties following a vote of no confidence in incumbent prime minister Imran Khan during the 2022 Pakistani constitutional crisis.[1][2] He was sworn in as Prime Minister on 11 April 2022.[3][4]

Background

2022 Pakistan economic crisis leads to political instability, The struggle was also joined by several dissident members of Khan's own party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). On 10 April 2022, the coalition succeeded to oust Khan through a no-confidence motion, after which the Pakistan Democratic Movement formed its own government, choosing the opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif as the country's prime minister.[5]

Premiership

Economic policy

The new government was faced with multiple economic challenges upon formation, mainly relating to the completion of the $6 billion IMF bailout programme approved during Imran Khan's tenure. The government decided not to remove fuel and power subsidies imposed by Imran Khan during the last days of his tenure, viewing such a move as politically damaging to the new government. This was opposed by the Finance Ministry, on the grounds that it could jeopardise the IMF programme and increase the fiscal deficit.[6]

Foreign policy

The government immediately sought to mend ties with the United States that were strained by Imran Khan's Lettergate controversy, despite Washington's increasing prioritisation of India over Pakistan in its foreign policy.[7] Experts believed the goal of this was to balance relations between the US and China, while also prioritising CPEC-related cooperation with China.[8] However, Pakistan has only received a limited response from the Biden administration,[9] the United States and India have also demanded that Pakistan stop cross-border terrorist activities.[10]

Political crisis

2022–2023 Pakistan political unrest continues, and clashes intensify after arrest of former PM Imran Khan.[11] Following the unrest, the Pakistani government supported the transfer of protesters to court-martial.[12]

Reaction

Domestic

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party leader and former PM Imran Khan refused to concede defeat in the no confidence motion.

International

  • India Indian prime minister Narendra Modi congratulated Sharif, tweeting "Congratulations to H. E. Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on his election as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. India desires peace and stability in a region free of terror, so that we can focus on our development challenges and ensure the well-being and prosperity of our people."[13][14]
  • Russia Russian president Vladimir Putin congratulated Sharif but also slammed the United States for alleged interference in Pakistan's affairs for its "own selfish purposes".[15][16]
  • United Kingdom British prime Minister Boris Johnson congratulated Sharif, tweeting "Congratulations to @CMShehbaz on his election as Prime Minister of Pakistan. The UK & Pakistan have a longstanding relationship and our people share deep ties. I look forward to working together on areas of shared interest."[20]
  • United States US Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Sharif in a statement saying "The United States congratulates newly elected Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and we look forward to continuing our long-standing cooperation with Pakistan's government. The United States views a strong, prosperous, and democratic Pakistan as essential for the interests of both of our countries."[21]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Pakistan to Vote in New PM as Ousted Khan Rallies Supporters". Bloomberg News. 11 April 2022.
  2. ↑ Shahzad, Asif; Hassan, Syed Raza (11 April 2022). "Political change in Pakistan as Shehbaz Sharif seeks to become PM". Reuters – via www.reuters.com.
  3. ↑ "Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan Opposition Leader, Elected New PM". NDTV.com.
  4. ↑ "Shehbaz Sharif elected prime minister of Pakistan". DAWN.COM. 11 April 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  5. ↑ Masood, Salman; Goldbaum, Christina (11 April 2022). "Shehbaz Sharif Becomes Prime Minister of Pakistan". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  6. ↑ Peshimam, Gibran Naiyyar; Shahzad, Asif (15 April 2022). "Pakistan's new govt decides not to roll back fuel, power subsidies". Reuters. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  7. ↑ Kestler-D'Amours, Jillian (15 April 2022). "What Pakistan's political shakeup means for relations with US". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  8. ↑ Zhou, Laura (11 April 2022). "Power shift in Pakistan won't affect China ties, 'hard-core friend' Beijing says". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  9. ↑ Hussain, Touqir (22 June 2023). "Does Pakistan really need Uncle Sam?". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  10. ↑ "Pakistan Rejects US, India Call to Curb Cross-Border Terrorism". VOA. 23 June 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  11. ↑ Fraser, Simon; Davies, Caroline (9 May 2023). "Imran Khan: Dozens of police seize ex-PM outside court in Pakistan". BBC News. Archived from the original on 10 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  12. ↑ Raza, Syed Irfan (13 May 2023). "Military rules out martial law". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  13. ↑ Modi, Narendra [@narendramodi] (11 April 2022). "Congratulations to H. E. Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on his election as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. India desires peace and stability in a region free of terror, so that we can focus on our development challenges and ensure the well-being and prosperity of our people" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 13 April 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2022 – via Twitter.
  14. ↑ Haidar, Suhasini (12 April 2022). "PM Modi congratulates Pakistan's new PM Shehbaz Sharif". The Hindu.
  15. ↑ "Russia's Putin congratulates Shehbaz Sharif on becoming Pakistan's PM".
  16. ↑ "Russia slams US attempt at'interference' in Pakistan affairs". www.thenews.com.pk.
  17. ↑ "Saudi Crown Prince Salman telephones PM Shehbaz Sharif".
  18. ↑ "Erdoğan congratulates Pakistan's new Prime Minister Sharif". Daily Sabah. 12 April 2022.
  19. ↑ "Erdoğan congratulates Pakistan's new prime minister - Turkey News".
  20. ↑ "Britain's Boris Johnson seeks to work with PM Shehbaz Sharif".
  21. ↑ "US congratulates new Pakistan PM Sharif". 13 April 2022.
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