PM Modi congratulates Shehbaz Sharif on becoming Pakistan PM as Sharif rakes up Kashmir in his first speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to Shehbaz Sharif on his reappointment as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Sharif assumed office for the second time on Monday, taking charge of the country's leadership amidst financial challenges, following an inconclusive election tainted by accusations of electoral malpractice.

Modi conveyed his felicitations to Sharif via a statement on X, stating, "Congratulations to @CMShehbaz on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan."



During the elections held on February 8, Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) secured the second position. However, independent candidates supported by the incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) emerged as the frontrunners in terms of seat wins but fell short of securing a parliamentary majority.

In a recent development, Shehbaz Sharif has been sworn in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan for the second time. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to Sharif on this occasion. Sharif's assumption of office comes nearly a month after the recent election, which was marked by allegations of vote rigging.

In the February 8 elections, Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party secured the second position. Despite winning the most seats, independent candidates backed by Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) failed to secure a majority in Parliament.

During his inaugural address, Sharif reiterated his commitment to enhancing relations with leading nations, including Pakistan's neighbors. He emphasized the importance of equality in diplomatic relations and pledged to address issues such as the Kashmir conflict and Palestine.

Sharif expressed gratitude to his allies for their support and highlighted the economic challenges facing the country. He acknowledged the significant debt burden and outlined his plans to revive the economy, focusing on sectors like energy and state-owned enterprises.

Promising to prioritize development and self-sufficiency, Sharif called for unity and collaboration among various stakeholders to overcome the country's challenges. He condemned past incidents of violence and emphasized the need for reconciliation and cooperation to address economic issues.

Sharif's speech faced interruptions from opposition lawmakers, but he remained undeterred, calling for dialogue and national unity. He will officially take the oath of office at the Presidential mansion on Monday.

Sharif previously served as Prime Minister from April 2022 to August 2023 before the dissolution of Parliament for general elections. His re-election marks a new chapter in Pakistan's political landscape, with expectations high for economic reform and development under his leadership.