Shehbaz Sharif has been chosen for a second term as prime minister by the newly elected parliament of Pakistan.
He overcame an opponent who had the backing of imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan.
Three weeks have passed since the general election, which was deemed to be a draw despite accusations of vote-rigging and intimidation.
In the vote, Mr. Sharif’s PML-N party finished in second. Despite winning the most seats, independent candidates supported by Mr. Khan’s PTI were unable to secure a majority.
Speaker of the National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq declared on Sunday that Mr. Sharif had received 201 parliamentary votes. To be elected prime minister, he need 169 votes.
With the backing of Mr. Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, his opponent Omar Ayub garnered 92 votes.
Mr. Sharif said in his victory speech that “like-minded parties may form a coalition government” because there was no clear legislative majority for any party.
The Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), led by Shehbaz Sharif’s brother and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, struck a coalition agreement with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) after last month’s election.
Traditionally antagonistic parties, the two came together in 2022 to remove Imran Khan from office and put Mr. Sharif as prime minister.
A caretaker administration oversaw Pakistan following the dissolution of the legislature in August of last year.
Prior to the election on February 6, Imran Khan was imprisoned and was not allowed to run for office.
The authorities initiated a crackdown on his party, leading to the filing of more than 150 criminal and civil accusations, all of which he rejects.
Despite having to compete as independents, PTI candidates secured more seats than those of any other party.
