Shehbaz Sharif sworn in as Pakistan PM, eyes IMF talks

On Monday, Shehbaz Sharif was sworn in as Pakistan’s prime minister, marking his second tenure in the role, following a national election that saw delays of nearly four weeks due to the challenges in forming a coalition government, as reported by Reuters.

The day after being elected prime minister by parliament amidst opposition from members loyal to the imprisoned ex-leader Imran Khan, Sharif assumed office through a ceremony held at the presidential office in Islamabad.

Following his inauguration, Sharif convened with his financial advisors, as per a statement from his office, which also noted his instruction to initiate negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for an extended funding arrangement, with the current deal set to expire in April.

Sharif’s administration has declared improving the nation’s economy as its foremost agenda, according to a statement emphasizing the government’s commitment to this goal.

At his oath-taking event, Sharif donned a traditional black sherwani and was surrounded by dignitaries from various sectors, an occasion that was televised live for the nation.

The election on February 8th faced severe disruptions, including a mobile internet blackout, detentions, and violence, leading to delayed results and allegations of electoral fraud.

Despite the majority of seats being won by Imran Khan’s supporters, a coalition was formed between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), led by Sharif’s brother Nawaz Sharif, and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), bypassing Nawaz Sharif for the prime ministerial role.

As Shehbaz Sharif steps back into leadership following the dissolution of parliament in August for the elections, all eyes are on the forthcoming cabinet announcements, particularly the crucial finance minister position, essential for navigating forthcoming discussions with the IMF for significant funding.

Ishaq Dar, a former four-time finance minister, is the frontrunner for the finance portfolio, according to PML-N insiders, though several other candidates are under consideration.

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