Nawaz Sharif elected Pakistan’s Prime Minister for third time

The National Assembly on Wednesday elected Mohammad Nawaz Sharif as the country’s Prime Minister for third time.

Nawaz Sharif got 244 votes out of the total polled – votes while his close rival Makhdoom Amin Fahim of Pakistan Peoples Party secured 42– votes and Javed Hashmi, a third candidate of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf party bagged 31 votes, Speaker National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq announced.

Sharif was elected with a two-third majority,which is also required for amendments in the constitution.

A total of 172 votes were required in the 342-member National Assembly or Lower House of the parliament. Sharif’s PML-N had 186 votes and he also received the votes of other parties.

The election was held through division of the house and supporters of the three candidates assembled in separate lobbies.

He will be sworn in later in the evening at a ceremony in the Presidency by President Asif Ali Zardari, presidential spokesperson says.

Sources say that some members of the cabinet are likely to take oath shortly after Sharif’s oath taking ceremony.

Several parties including Mutahida Qaumi Movement, Jamait ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), independent members from the tribal regions, nationalist groups and Jamaat-e-Islami voted for Mr. Sharif.

Sharif becomes Pakistan’s first leader to serve as Prime Minister for third time following victory of his Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) in the May 11 general elections.

He has already served as Prime Minister for two non-consecutive terms, the first from November 1, 1990 to July 18, 1993 and the second from February 17, 1997 to October 12, 1999

Nawaz Sharif entered the parliament after nearly 14 years, including his 10 years in exile. He was sent into exile in 2000 by then military ruler Pervez Musharraf following dismissal of his elected government in October 1999.

Members and PML-N supporters at the guest galleries chanted slogans in favour of Nawaz Sharif as the parliamentary speaker announced the result.

Scuffle between the media persons and the guests were seen as the PML-N supporters had occupied the press galleries. The scuffle delayed the assembly’s session for an hour. The situation returned to normalcy after the Speaker ordered the guests to vacate press galleries.

The first main task of Nawaz Sharif’s government will be presentation of new budget in the coming few days as Pakistan’s new financial year begins from July 1^st. The budget is presented as passed in the National Assembly.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=40491

Posted by Tahir Khan on Jun 5 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.