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Shehbaz Sharif takes oath as Pakistan's new prime minister after controversial election

Opponents of the new leader claimed the elections in February were rigged in his favour after the polling process was marred by a mobile internet shutdown, arrests and violence.

Pakistan's newly elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, inspects the honor guard at the Prime Minister's House in Islamabad, Pakistan March 4, 2024. Prime Minister's House/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY
Image: New prime minister Shehbaz Sharif receives a guard of honour at Monday's ceremony. Pic: Reuters
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Shehbaz Sharif has been sworn in as聽Pakistan's new prime minister after being elected a day earlier in a raucous parliamentary session.

He held the same position from April 2022 to August 2023, replacing arch-rival Imran Khan, who was kicked out of the job after a no-confidence vote.

Mr Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League party, the PML-N, did not win enough seats to form a government but went into coalition with others to get a majority, clearing his path to a second premiership.

The PML-N is spearheaded by Mr Sharif's elder brother, three-time premier Nawaz Sharif, but he decided not to take the prime minister's post.

The appointment is controversial because opponents of the new leader claimed the parliamentary elections were rigged in his favour.

The election held on 8 February was marred by a mobile internet shutdown, arrests and violence - and the unusually delayed results triggered accusations the vote was fixed.

Mr Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, the PTI, insists it did better in the poll, but electoral theft and other irregularities deprived it of a parliamentary majority.

Mr Sharif secured 201 votes in parliament to become prime minister, defeating the PTI-backed candidate Omar Ayub, who got 92 votes.

Monday's swearing-in ceremony was held in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.

Pakistan's President Arif Alvi administers the oath to Pakistan's newly elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, at the Presidential Palace in Islamabad, Pakistan March 4, 2024. Presidential Palace/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES.
Image: Pakistan's president Arif Alvi, right, administers the oath to the new prime minister. Pic: Reuters

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Mr Sharif pledged to perform his duties and functions with honesty and loyalty and always for the country's independence, "integrity, stability, and for the sake of unity".

But stability and unity are in short supply in Pakistani politics, and Mr Sharif has a tough task of bringing politicians together to steer the country through challenging times.

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The first two sessions of parliament have been chaotic and noisy, with the opposition shouting and jeering at the new government because of their election grievances.