Coalition opposition candidate Shahbaz Sharif. Members of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) walk out of the National Assembly before the parliamentary vote on Monday (April 11th). Earlier, their prime ministerial candidate Shah Mehmood Qureshi announced a boycott of the new prime ministerial election process.
The process of appointing the new Prime Minister was held under the chairmanship of MNA Ayaz Sadiq. Earlier on Monday, after a temporary delay, the session started with recitation of Holy Quran and Naat. Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri presided over the session.
PML-N leader Ayaz Sadiq took over after Qasim Suri expressed inability to conduct the election process. He read out the details of the rules and procedures for the election of the Prime Minister. He said the bell would be rung for five minutes before voting began so that members could enter the session room.
Ayaz Sadiq said that if the bell rang, the entrance and exit of the session hall would be closed and it would be kept closed till the end of voting.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan is Shahbaz
After the announcement, Ayaz Sadiq read out the names of the candidates for the post of Prime Minister. He announced the names of PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif and PTI’s Shah Mahmood Qureshi. However, he mistakenly named PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif as his prime ministerial candidate. Quickly correcting it, he said, “I apologize, Mr. Shahbaz, Nawaz’s name remains in my heart.”
Ayaz Sadiq then called on the legislators to vote for those who want to vote for Shahbaz Sharif on their left and those who want to vote for Qureshi on their right. After the vote, the result sheet was delivered to the Parliament Secretariat.
Announcing the results, Ayaz Sadiq said, “Mia Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif got 174 votes. Mia Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif has been elected Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. ..................................
Preparation of oath
Preparations are underway for the swearing-in ceremony of the new Prime Minister of Pakistan within hours. Pakistani media outlet Geo News reported that the swearing-in ceremony could take place on Monday at the president’s residence.
President Arif Alvi will administer the oath of office to the new Prime Minister. Preparations are underway to hold the swearing-in ceremony at the President’s residence.
