In this photo released by the Press Information Department, newly elected Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif addresses during the National Assembly session, in Islamabad, Pakistan on April 11, 2022. (PRESS INFORMATION DEPARTMENT VIA AP)
ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI – More than 100 lawmakers loyal to Pakistan's ousted prime minister Imran Khan resigned on Monday, creating a headache for the new, Western-friendly incumbent Shehbaz Sharif as he tries to drag his country out of political and economic crisis.
Parliament's election of Sharif, 70, as prime minister on Monday followed a week-long constitutional crisis that reached a climax on Sunday when Khan, 69, lost a no-confidence vote in parliament.
His departure from power sparked street protests and a mass resignation of MPs from Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party in protest at the impending change of government.
After Monday's vote, incumbent Shehbaz Sharif vowed to tackle an economic malaise that has seen the rupee hit an all-time low and the central bank implement the biggest hike in interest rates in decades last week
If the resignations are accepted by the speaker, Pakistan faces a prospect of more than 100 by-elections within two months, a major distraction for Sharif and his coalition partners and a potential platform for Khan to mobilize his support.
That in turn could ensure the nuclear-armed nation of 220 million people remains prone to political and economic turbulence.
Sharif has a reputation domestically as an effective administrator more than as a politician. He is the younger brother of three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
Analysts say Shehbaz, unlike Nawaz, enjoys amicable relations with Pakistan's military, which traditionally controls foreign and defense policy.
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After Monday's vote, Sharif vowed to tackle an economic malaise that has seen the rupee hit an all-time low and the central bank implement the biggest hike in interest rates in decades last week.
"If we have to save the sinking boat, what we all need is hard work, and unity, unity and unity," he told parliament.
"We are beginning a new era of development today."
He took the oath of office at Pakistan's presidential residence late on Monday at a ceremony packed with lawmakers and leaders from the combined opposition.
In this photo released by Press Information Department, acting President of Pakistan Sadiq Sanjrani (left) administers the oath of office to newly elected Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif during a ceremony at Presidential Palace, in Islamabad, Pakistan on April 11, 2022. (PRESS INFORMATION DEPARTMENT VIA AP)
Reset ties
The younger Sharif emerged as the leader of a united opposition to topple Khan, a former cricket star who has claimed that the United States was behind his downfall, an assertion that Washington denies.
Sharif said in an interview last week good relations with the United States were critical for Pakistan for better or for worse, in stark contrast to Khan's prickly ties to Washington.
In his maiden speech, he also spoke of improving relations with neighbours India and China.
Shehbaz Sharif said in an interview last week good relations with the United States were critical for Pakistan for better or for worse, in stark contrast to Imran Khan's prickly ties to Washington
"We want good relations with India but a durable peace can't be possible without Kashmir's solution," he said, referring to the contested Himalayan territory the countries have fought several wars over.
He said his government will speed up construction of the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
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On Monday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Sharif on the latter being elected as Pakistan's prime minister.
In his congratulatory message to Sharif on social media, Modi said India desires peace and stability in the region.
"So that we can focus on our development challenges and ensure the well-being and prosperity of our people," Modi tweeted.
Supporters of newly-elected Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif celebrate outside their party office, in Peshawar, Pakistan on April 11, 2022. (MUHAMMAD SAJJAD / AP)
Military fallout
No elected prime minister has completed a full term in Pakistan since it won independence from colonial power Great Britain in 1947, though Khan is the first to be removed by a no-confidence vote.
The military has ruled the country for almost half its nearly 75-year history. It viewed Khan and his conservative agenda favourably when he won election in 2018.
That support waned after a falling-out over the appointment of a military intelligence chief and economic troubles.
Khan remained defiant following his defeat in parliament.
Thousands of his supporters in several cities held protests against his ousting that went on until Monday's early hours.
Nawaz Sharif was barred by the Supreme Court in 2017 from holding public office and subsequently went abroad for medical treatment after serving just a few months of a 10-year jail sentence for corruption charges.
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"There can't be any bigger insult to this country," Khan, ousted in the early hours of Sunday, told reporters on Monday on the prospect of Shehbaz Sharif being elected.