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Pakistan’s newly elected parliament has confirmed Shehbaz Sharif as Prime Minister. Sunday marked his inauguration for a second term, ending weeks of upheaval and a government facing economic and political challenges likely to plunge the country into turmoil for years to come. will be launched.
His selection also marks a crossroads in the role of Pakistan’s powerful military. The military has long been seen as an invisible hand guiding the country’s politics and has previously manipulated election results. Analysts say public trust in Mr. Sharif’s government is low.
“The government is seen as hopeless,” said Talat Hussain, a political analyst based in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.
Sharif secured 201 votes in parliament, while his closest rival, Omar Ayub, a supporter of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, received 92 votes.
Before voting began, Sharif arrived at the main chamber accompanied by his brother Nawaz, who was also elected to parliament. The two brothers, seated together in the front row, served as a reminder that Mr. Sharif, himself a three-time prime minister, remains influential and likely to wield power behind the scenes.
The proceedings began with loud protests in support of Mr Khan. Several supporters of Khan sat in front of the platform and chanted slogans. Many others also waved photos of Khan and shouted slogans in support of the cricket star turned politician.
The party “Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz”, which Sharif leads with his family, is currently supported by the military, but it failed to win the most seats in Pakistan’s national elections held a month ago. That honor went to a candidate aligned with Mr. Khan’s party, which the military had sought to exclude from involvement.
Despite its agitation and scathing rebuke of the military, the PMLN succeeded in forming a coalition with other major parties and leading the government.
But Mr Sharif’s government has stepped up accusations that the military tampered with dozens of racial vote counts to tilt it in favor of his party and away from Mr Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. As such, doubts regarding its legitimacy will remain deep-rooted.
Najam Sethi, a prominent Pakistani political analyst, said the survival of Sharif’s coalition government depended on the support of military commanders.
“As it stands, the military leadership and the coalition parties have no choice but to stick together, as any wobbling could result in a loss. As long as General Asim Munir remains the army chief, the Shehbaz-led government remains unstable We will weather the situation,” Sethi said.
Another challenge is that the country’s economy has been on the brink of collapse for years, with inflation reaching record highs last spring. A bailout from the International Monetary Fund has kept the economy afloat, but that program is set to expire this month and the new government will need to secure a new long-term IMF plan.
Karachi-based economist Akhdas Afzal said a deal would need “in the vicinity” of $6 billion to $8 billion, but would likely require new austerity measures. , may arouse public dissatisfaction.
In parliament, Khan’s party leaders have also vowed to act as a strong opposition party, which could potentially play a role.
“Our priority is to free the leaders and bring them to parliament,” Ayub said, referring to former foreign minister Shah Mahmoud Qureshi, who is also jailed.
Emboldened by the election’s success, party supporters may take to the streets to demand the government release Mr. Khan, who is serving multiple sentences for crimes including leaking state secrets. Khan has vowed to appeal the convictions, saying they were politically motivated, and his party has vowed to legally challenge some of the election results.
Speaking after Sunday’s vote, the new prime minister said the country faced great challenges, but also opportunities. He noted that the economy remains a key challenge and vowed to attract investment and create a business-friendly environment.
Sharif, who began his first term as prime minister after MPs ousted Khan in a no-confidence vote in April 2022, is known for his efficient management. As chief minister of Punjab, the country’s largest state, he oversaw several major infrastructure projects.
In contrast to his brother Nawaz; Mr. Sharif has had several falling outs with the country’s generals and has shown respect for the military. During his previous term as prime minister, the military further strengthened its role within the government and increased its influence over policy-making.
In June 2023, Sharif approved the creation of a government council aimed at attracting foreign investment, a move widely seen as an effort to give the military a more direct say in economic policy. There is. General Munir, the army chief, is a member of that body, the Special Investment Facilitation Council.
Sharif also approved a policy giving the country’s intelligence agencies the power to approve or deny appointments and posts to government officials. Analysts point out that this has further expanded its influence not only in politics but also in civil servants.
Analysts say the military’s future role is an open question after the election chaos. But most agree that a weakened civilian government makes it easier for generals to reassert control and wield greater political power if they choose. ing.
“Pakistan’s civil-military relations, including military-society relations, will not and cannot be the same,” said Adil Najam, a professor of international studies at Boston University. “What happens to them is something that is on the minds of all political actors in Pakistan and must be top of mind for the top echelons of Pakistan’s military as well.”
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