Shehbaz Sharif re-elected as Prime Minister – Impact on Pakistani Politics

Pakistan’s newly formed parliament has re-elected Shehbaz Sharif as Prime Minister for a second term, defeating a rival supported by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The results come after an inconclusive general election marked by allegations of intimidation and vote-rigging. Sharif’s PML-N party came second, while independent candidates backed by Khan’s PTI won the most seats but couldn’t secure a majority. With no clear parliamentary majority, Sharif called for like-minded parties to form a coalition government, resulting in a surprising alliance between PML-N and PPP, traditional rivals, to remove Khan and install Sharif as his successor. The crackdown on Khan and his party, leading to Khan’s imprisonment before the elections, raised concerns about the democratic process and political freedom in Pakistan. Sharif’s victory marks a shift in Pakistani politics and raises questions about the stability of the new government and the continued influence of Sharif’s family in Pakistani politics. The impact of these political changes on Pakistan’s economy, foreign relations, and domestic policies remains to be seen.