Shehbaz Sharif wins second term as Pakisan’s prime minister

File Photo Pakistan's opposition leader Shahbaz Sharif speaks during a press conference after the Supreme Court decision, in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 7, 2022. Photo Courtesy: AP

Kathmandu: Pakistan’s newly formed parliament has elected Shehbaz Sharif as prime minister for a second term.

He defeated a rival supported by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The move comes three weeks after an inconclusive general election that was marred by allegations of intimidation and vote-rigging.

Sharif’s PML-N party came second in the poll. Independent candidates backed by Khan’s PTI won the most seats but failed to get a majority. On Sunday, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq announced that Mr Sharif had secured 201 parliamentary votes. He needed 169 to be elected prime minister.

His rival Omar Ayub, who was supported by Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, won 92 votes.

News Source: BBC