Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Shehbaz Sharif on his re-election as Pakistan’s Prime Minister on Tuesday.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi conveyed his greetings to Shehbaz Sharif on his swearing-in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Shehbaz Sharif took the oath of office as Pakistan’s new Prime Minister on Monday, following his election in a parliamentary session held the day before.
He previously held the same position from April 2022 to August 2023, taking over from cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan who was removed after a no-confidence vote. Shehbaz is the younger brother of three-time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
His appointment has stirred controversy due to allegations from his opponents that the parliamentary elections last month were rigged in his favor.
Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League party, the PML-N, did not secure enough seats to independently form a government. However, through coalition agreements with other parties, they obtained a majority, paving the way for his second term as prime minister.
In parliament, he garnered 201 votes, securing victory over the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed candidate Omar Ayub, who received 92 votes.
The swearing-in ceremony took place in the capital, Islamabad, with President Arif administering the oath of office.
In his victory speech delivered in the National Assembly following his election as the 24th Prime Minister for the second time since 2022, the 72-year-old expressed heartfelt gratitude to his elder brother and three-time former premier Nawaz Sharif, as well as to his allies. He thanked them for placing their trust in him and enabling him to lead a coalition government after the recent election led to a hung Parliament.
Returning to the role he previously held until August when parliament was dissolved in preparation for the election, the younger Sharif is poised to take charge once again.