PMl-N's Shehbaz Sharif becomes 24th prime minister in eventful session after securing 201 votes
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Sunday elected Shehbaz Sharif of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) as the country's 24th elected prime minister in a session hit by the uproar created by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), supported by Members of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).
“Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has been elected Prime Minister with 201 votes. [While] Omar Ayub obtained 92 votes,” announced President Ayaz Sadiq.
The speaker then invited Shehbaz, the only politician to be elected prime minister for the second consecutive time, to occupy the prime minister's seat and asked him to address the house.
As soon as the result was announced, SIC legislators started creating commotion and chanted slogans to disrupt Shehabz's speech.
Shehbaz's victory was expected as he had the support of seven other parties besides the PML-N. The prime minister-elect has the support of Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Zia. (PML-Z), Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) and National Party (NP).
In his maiden speech as the country's 24th prime minister, Shehbaz, surrounded by party lawmakers, thanked PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif for nominating him for the coveted post and expressed gratitude to his allies, including the PPP and the MQM-P, and others, for their support. him.
Taking the opportunity to highlight the country's history of political turmoil, the prime minister-elect lamented the “judicial murder” of PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and paid tribute to his daughter and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto for paying the ultimate price for democracy.
Without naming names, Shehbaz mocked the PTI for harassing the opposition when it was in power, going against the country's national interests and resorting to serious allegations against the armed forces.
“This is the difference between the [two] leaderships. The House witnesses that the [PML-N] has never thought of indulging in revenge politics,” said Prime Minister-elect Shehbaz.
Elaborating on his government's plans to lead the country out of the current crises, Shehbaz said people from all walks of life must come together to change the country's destiny and overcome the challenges.
Addressing the economic crisis facing the country, the PML-N leader highlighted that of the Rs 12,300 billion generated by the country, Rs 7,300 billion is given to the provinces under the award of the National Commission of Finance and government faces a whopping Rs 7000 crore. billion-dollar shortfall due to service charges worth up to Rp8 trillion.
“Where will the money come from for the development, health and education sectors? Where will the salaries of government employees of the armed forces be paid?”
“All this is being achieved through loans over the years. […] “This is the biggest challenge facing the country today,” he said.
“All our salaries are paid through taxes. Does a situation like this justify such vandalism? he said while referring to the slogans and chants raised by the opposition SIC members backed by the PTI.
'Bottomless pit'
On the issue of exuberant electricity bills, Shehbaz lamented that the circular debt (electricity) amounts to Rs 23,000 crore as only Rs 28,000 worth of electricity provided to consumers is recovered.
“There is a gap of 1 trillion rupees which is equivalent to [around] 3.5 billion dollars. “Can this nation afford careless government?”
“I would call it a 'bottomless pit',” he said while lamenting the theft of electricity worth between Rp500 and Rp600 billion every year.
Meanwhile, he added, the circular debt of the gas sector has reached a serious figure of Rs 29,000 crore due to import of expensive LNG, along with theft and problems with the distribution system.
“State-owned enterprises have a loss of Rs 600 billion. […] The PIA [alone] It has a debt of 800 billion rupees,” he added.
Terming the agriculture sector as the backbone of the economy, Shehbaz said his government would provide subsidies to farmers and also introduce a solar tube well program for them.
“Authors of May 9 [riots] would be brought to justice [whereas] those who were not involved in the incidents would not be bothered,” he said while reaffirming the government’s commitment to the implementation of the National Action Plan.
On the government's plan to stimulate trade activities, he said the government would abolish draconian and outdated laws and regulations and work with provincial governments to establish a comprehensive network of export zones.
“Our goal is to secure G20 membership by 2030.”
“Women should be paid the same as men,” she said while addressing the prevailing gender discrimination in the society.
Banks will be directed to provide loans to the young generation, he added, announcing that the government will ensure that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is held accountable if it fails to guarantee tax refund within 10 days.
Elaborating on his foreign policy, Shehbaz said the government will not allow Pakistan to be a part of some “big game”.
The government would maintain cordial relations with neighboring countries based on the principles of equality.
He also said that visa-free entry to Pakistan will be introduced for citizens of sister countries.
Extending an olive branch to the opposition, the prime minister-designate called on opposition parties to work with the government to address the challenges facing the country.
Commenting on the issue of missing persons in Balochistan, Shehbaz assured that the government would hold talks with the Baloch leaders and address their concerns, whatever they may be.
The election of the prime minister
The session, which is chaired by NA president Sadiq, began with the oath-taking of PML-N's Jam Kamal.
However, the House soon began echoing slogans and chants raised by SIC members in favor of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan and against the alleged fraud that took place in the February 8 elections.
Following this, Speaker Sadiq asked the Assembly staff to ring the bell for five minutes so that members who were not present in the chamber could come to the floor for the election of the prime minister.
Once the bells rang, President Sadiq ordered the National Assembly staff to close the doors and announced the method of electing the prime minister.
The spokesperson then informed lawmakers about the candidates running for prime minister.
“The valid nominated candidates are Shehbaz Sharif and Omar Ayub. Honorable members who wish to vote in favor of Shehbaz can proceed to the right side lobby designated as 'Lobby A',” the speaker said.
The speaker then indicated that those who wish to vote for Ayub can go to the left side towards “Lobby B” to register their votes.
As the voting process began, members of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) walked out of the House in line with their decision to boycott the elections for the prime minister, president and other constitutional offices.
While Sardar Akhtar Mengal of Balochistan National Party did not cast his vote and remained in his seat during the voting process.
Once the voting process was completed, the secretary of the AN delivered the minutes of the votes cast in the elections to the president.
Once the counting was completed, the speaker ordered NA staff to ring the bell to summon lawmakers to return to the house for the announcement of the results.
Omar calls Prime Minister-elect Shehbaz a 'product' of Form 47
Addressing the National Assembly after losing the election for the coveted prime minister's post, PTI-backed SIC legislator Omar Ayub Khan termed prime minister-elect Shehbaz Sharif as a “product” of Form 47.
The PTI termed the February 8 general elections as “rigged” and claimed that they had won the elections based on Form 45 results, but their mandate was stolen and the results were changed in Form 47.
Addressing the National Assembly, Ayub accused the ruling alliance of denying a level playing field to the party founded by Imran Khan.
The PTI leader demanded the release of his party leaders and political prisoners.
