Shehbaz takes helm to steady Pakistan ship

PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif was elected as the 23rd prime minister of Pakistan, marking his return to power as premier as a pinnacle of his relentless efforts against the former government.

Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani administered the oath to Shehbaz in President Dr Arif Alvi’s absence, who went on 'sick' leave ahead of the PML-N president’s inauguration.

The PML-N clinched the coveted post after 174 lawmakers voted in his favour as Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf MNAs boycotted the election.

Government officials, military officers, and diplomatic representatives were present at the ceremony at the Presidency. Major political leaders including PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and PML-N leaders Maryam Nawaz, Hamza Shehbaz, Ahsan Iqbal, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Rana Sanaullah were also in attendance.

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Nadeem Raza, naval chief, air chief and other senior military and civilian officials also attended the ceremony.

Soon after the oath-taking ceremony concluded, the newly-elected prime minister took to Twitter to congratulate the nation over peaceful transition of power.

"I want to congratulate people of Pakistan on peaceful transition of power. It’s matter of pride that today all our institutions respect Constitution as guiding principle. If stock market & strengthening currency is any indication, the journey towards our goals has already started," Shehbaz said.

He said that his government also looks forward to building relationships with other countries on the basis of mutual respect, equality and peace.

"Our focus is on providing as much relief as possible to all Pakistanis by tackling high inflation & kick-starting the stagnant economy. Together we will make Pakistan a great nation, Insha'Allah. Pakistan Zindabad," he concluded his tweet.

Earlier in the day, the National Assembly elected Shehbaz as the new prime minister of Pakistan after lawmakers of the PTI announced their resignations from the lower house of parliament, leaving the field open for the opposition.

“Mian Shehbaz Sharif is declared as elected Prime Minister,” Ayaz Sadiq announced following the completion of the counting process.

Imran demands immediate polls

Former prime minister Imran Khan has called for holding immediate elections, saying it was the only way forward and "to let the people decide, through fair and free elections, whom they want as their prime minister".

He also announced a public rally on Wednesday in Peshawar after Isha prayers. "My first jalsa after being removed through a foreign-instigated regime change," he wrote on Twitter.

"I want all our people to come, as Pakistan was created as an independent, sovereign state not as a puppet state of foreign powers."

Policy measures

In his maiden address as prime minister in the National Assembly, Shehbaz announced an increase in salaries, pensions and the minimum wage for labourers.

In his speech on the floor, Shehbaz congratulated the Supreme Court of Pakistan for declaring the deputy speaker’s ruling unconstitutional and “burying the doctrine of necessity forever”.

Though the opposition parties have the support of the dissident members of PTI, they didn’t cast a vote on Monday but stayed in the opposition’s lobbies.

Read more: President Alvi goes on 'sick' leave hours before Shehbaz’s inauguration

Shehbaz said he would resign the second it is proven that the opposition had any link with the ‘foreign conspiracy’, saying soon an in-camera briefing would be arranged on the alleged threatening letter.

The prime minister-elect also fought off allegations of treason against opposition parties, saying: “Dialogue should replace deadlock as a change would not come merely through speeches”. He emphasised bringing about harmony for moving forward, especially addressing the economic issues being faced by the country.

“Neither anyone was traitor nor anyone is traitor,” Shehbaz said, adding that it’s time to move ahead with unity instead of staying divided.

The minimum wage rises to Rs25k

PM-elect Shehbaz also said the PTI-led government left the country’s economy in tatters with the current account deficit and other economic indicators “worsening”.

He announced raising the minimum wage to Rs25,000 and a 10% hike in pensions of retired government employees. Government employees earning less than Rs100,000 would also be given a 10% raise, he added.

BISP makes a comeback

Responding to former PM Imran Khan’s ‘independent foreign policy’ claims, Premier-elect Shehbaz said former premier Nawaz Sharif did not say “absolutely rejected” to the US when it pressured Pakistan to halt nuclear tests. “We respectfully rejected their [US] offer of $5 billion and made the country’s defence invincible.”

The premier-designate said his government will work with provinces to provide relief to the masses and reintroduce the Benazir Income Support programme which was introduced by the former PPP-led government at the Centre.

Read: PTI dissidents ready to contest polls on PML-N ticket

‘Khadim-e-Pakistan’

The PM-designate referred to him as “Khadim-e-Pakistan” (chief servant of Pakistan), a title that is reminiscent of the designation “Khadim-e-Aala” that Shehbaz used to describe himself when he was a chief minister of Punjab.

‘New foreign policy'

Speaking about the country’s foreign policy, the PM-designate vowed to re-strengthen ties with Beijing, saying that his government will complete China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects at “Punjab speed”.

He accused his predecessor of damaging relations with China.

The PM-designate said Pakistan would also maintain cordial ties with Britain, European countries and the United States to boost the country’s exports.

The United Kingdom has also always supported democracy in Pakistan and spent billions of pounds on education and other sectors in Pakistan. Whatever happens in London affects Pakistan and vice versa, he added.

“We have historic ties with the US… [bilateral] relations however have witnessed ups and downs, but it does not mean that we strain our ties with America but we have to maintain relations on equal footing,” he remarked.

PM-designate Shehbaz also offered Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold dialogue with Pakistan in a bid to end the miseries of the people living on both sides of the border.

“Neighbours are not a matter of choice, but something you have to live with. We want cordial ties with India but without the resolution of the Kashmir dispute the ties cannot be improved,” he added.

“We [Pakistan] will continue to provide diplomatic and moral support to Kashmiris… I want to give some advice to [PM] Narendra Modi; come and resolve the issues through dialogue to end the poverty and miseries of the people living on both sides of the border.”

The PM-designate said the country’s economic strength is dependent on diplomacy.

He also highlighted the plight of Afghans, saying that the people of the neighbouring countries were in desperate need of basic necessities. “We have to speak in favour of millions of Muslims living in the neighbouring country and facing acute food and medicine shortages… if condition further deteriorates there will be a massive exodus from [Afghanistan] to K-P.”

As the former foreign minister concluded his speech, PTI and its allies stood up from their chairs and left the assembly hall amid sloganeering.

As Qureshi finished his speech, Suri said his "conscience no longer allows him to be a part of the proceedings" and gave the chair of the house to PML-N's Ayaz Sadiq.