The National Assembly elected Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shehbaz Sharif as the country's 24th prime minister on Sunday, despite an uproar caused by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).
"Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif was elected Prime Minister with 201 votes. While Omar Ayub received 92 votes," stated Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.
The speaker then invited Shehbaz, the only person elected Prime Minister for the second time in a row, to take his seat and address the House.
As soon as the results were revealed, SIC lawmakers began raising a scene and chanting slogans to disrupt Shehabz's speech.
Shehbaz's win was predicted since he had the backing of seven other parties besides the PML-N. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Pakistan Muslim League-Zia (PML-Z), Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), and National Party (NP) all endorse the newly elected Prime Minister.
In his first address as the country's 24th prime minister, Shehbaz, flanked by party MPs, praised PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif for nominating him for the coveted position and thanked his allies, including the PPP, the MQM-P, and others.
Without naming anyone, Shehbaz criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for bullying the opposition while in power, acting against the country's national interests, and making serious accusations against the military. He said this is the distinction between the two leaderships, adding that the PML-N has never considered vengeful politics.
Shehbaz elaborated on his government's intentions to navigate the country out of the current difficulties, stating that people from all walks of life must work together to alter the country's destiny and overcome the obstacles.
Addressing the country's economic crisis, the PML-N leader stated that out of the Rs12,300 billion generated by the country, Rs7,300 billion is given to the provinces under the National Finance Commission award, while the government faces a staggering Rs7000 billion deficit due to service charges of up to Rs8,000 billion.
"Where will the money for development, health, and education come from?" Where will the armed forces' government workers' salaries be paid?"
"All of this has been financed by loans throughout the years. "This is the country's most significant challenge today," he stated.
Regarding the government's goal to encourage commercial activity, he stated that the government will repeal harsh and outdated rules and regulations and collaborate with provincial governments to develop a comprehensive network of export zones.
Shehbaz elaborated on his foreign strategy, saying that the government will not let Pakistan become part of any "great game."
The government will preserve friendly ties with neighboring nations based on the idea of equality.
He also announced the introduction of visa-free entry to Pakistan for people from fraternal countries.