Shahbaz Sharif Pakistan's new premier takes the oath of office

Prime Minister Imran Khan was ousted by Pakistan's parliament over the weekend after a week of political turmoil led to Shahbaz Sharif elected Pakistan's new prime minister Monday.

The president took the oath in a ceremony held in the stately Presidency, a white marble palace.

More than a hundred members of Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, or Pakistan Justice Party, resigned and walked out of Pakistan's National Assembly in protest. Therefore, Former Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was elected with 174 votes as a New Prime Minister of Pakistan after former Prime Minister Imran Khan removed by the Parliament on Sunday 10th April 2022.

A simple majority of 174 votes is sufficient to pass laws in the Assembly's 342-member chamber. A strike by Khan's supporters, as he has threatened, could put more pressure on lawmakers and escalate the crisis.

Imran Khan called for early elections after dissolving parliament and sidestepping an opposition request for a no-confidence vote on April 3. A Supreme Court appeal was filed by the opposition, which said Khan mismanaged the constitution of Pakistan.

Imran Khan was removed as prime minister after the court ruled that Khan's move was illegal and ordered a no-confidence vote.

According to Imran Khan, Biden administration opposes him because he pursues an independent foreign policy that favors China and Russia. He was criticized for his trip to Moscow on Feb. 24 to meet with President Vladimir Putin as Russian tanks drove into Ukraine.

The U.S. State Department has denied any involvement in Pakistan’s internal politics.

11 April 2022