Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif was elected prime minister of Pakistan for the second time on Sunday. According to the results of Sunday’s election for the premiership, Shehbaz grabbed 201 votes against his competitor PTI-SIC candidate Omar Ayub, who fetched 92 votes. During the inauguration speech, Shehbaz thanked PML-N’s allies and legislatures who voted for him and promised to work for the uplift of the nation and the welfare of the public during his stay in office.
As the election for the premiership was held and the new Prime Minister took oath, an important constitutional process was accomplished that was eagerly awaited by the masses over the past several months. Hopefully, the cabinet formation and the election for the slot of the President will take place in due course of time along with the governmental and national affairs will turn normal very soon. Historically, the country and the public went through unimaginable stress, anxiety, and economic hardships due to unceasing turmoil and dogfights of the political groups over the past almost three years. The national economy faced a debt payment crisis and has narrowly escaped a collapse multiple times in the past two years wherein skyrocketing inflation, massive utility bills, and bulk taxes have turned this nation into an abyss for the middle-class and low-income sections of society. As a newly elected government took control of the country, ahead of the revival of IMF’s bailout program and impending talks with the global lender on the next budget, the nation perceives a fresh wave of inflation due to massive increases in the prices of electricity, gas, petrol that will flare up headline inflation in the prices of all commodities, social services, transport fares, etc. Such scenarios are surely not a good sign for the new government and a pleasant phenomenon for the masses.
The new government faces multiple challenges at the internal and external fronts, relating to national security, the economy, terrorism, political stability, improvement in the social sector, energy problems, foreign relations with neighbors including India, Afghanistan, Iran, China, and overall Muslim world and the global community. However, domestic issues are the primary and most important element that not only affects governance but will surely undermine the government’s position at the global level. The Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) in general and Sharif Junior in particular have significant governance experience in addition to the previous 16 months of PDM coalition government in the country. Hopefully, Shehbaz will not repeat his past mistakes and will endeavor to complete a 5-year constitutional term in office while maintaining fraternity and teamwork with allies, the opposition, and other political groups in the country.
In the prevailing conditions, an army of ministers, advisors, and special assistants is not essential to govern the ruins of the government, whilst the public did not give a mandate to the ruling elite to bestow important positions upon the family members and friends of the elite club. The economy is the most sensitive and important portfolio that demands utmost care and due diligence. Mr. Dar played the worst role not only in tackling the economic issues but dealing with the IMF during the PDM tenure, hence Shehbaz must seek an alternative to him or hire an economist from other parties. At present, the PML-N and allies can easily form an experienced cabinet as they possess a wealth of seasoned administrators who have successfully steered the nation during crucial periods in the past. For Sharifs, it is the last opportunity to show their ability, wisdom, and sagacity to rescue the nation from the current challenges through rational policies with no repeat of previous blunders, nepotism, and politicized decision-making. So, Pakistan emerges as a prosperous nation on the map of the world.
