Shahbaz Sharif Picked as New Pakistan Prime Minister

By: Ahmed Fathi

Following a week of political turbulence that culminated in the weekend ousting of Prime Minister Imran Khan, Pakistan's parliament chose opposition legislator Shahbaz Sharif as the country's new prime minister on Monday.

However, Sharif's ascension does not ensure a peaceful route forward or cure the country's numerous economic challenges, including rising inflation and a raging oil crisis. Pakistan which have a tradition of political dynasties Sharif brother is the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Sharif, won with 174 votes after Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, or Pakistan Justice Party, resigned and walked out of the National Assembly in protest.

Those 174 votes — two more than the requisite simple majority — are enough to enact legislation in the assembly's 342-seat chamber. If Khan's supporters take to the streets, as he has promised, it may increase pressure on MPs and exacerbate the problem.

Khan, a former cricketer whose strict Islamist philosophy and tenacity marked his term was cut short by a year and a half in leadership, was ousted on Sunday. He was defeated in a no-confidence vote when he was abandoned by his allies and a major coalition partner.