ISLAMABAD: Pakistani politics took another turn and Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif emerged victorious in the National Assembly’s polling, securing 201 votes to become the country’s Prime Minister while competing against him was Omar Ayub who settled for 92.
The polling session, which commenced with the oath-taking of PML-N’s Jam Kamal under the chairmanship of National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, was not without its share of disruptions.
The session encountered a brief disruption as members of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) raised slogans in support of incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, alongside those backing Shehbaz Sharif’s alliance. Speaker Sadiq, in response, initiated a brief pause, ringing the bell for five minutes to allow absent members to join for the prime ministerial election.
After resuming, Speaker Sadiq locked the doors and outlined the voting procedure. The two nominated candidates, Shehbaz Sharif and Omar Ayub, were presented to the lawmakers. Members supporting Shehbaz Sharif were directed to “Lobby A” for voting, while those favoring Ayub were guided to “Lobby B”.
As the voting commenced, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) staged a walkout in protest, announcing a boycott of the elections. Additionally, Balochistan National Party’s Sardar Akhtar Mengal abstained from voting.
Following the conclusion of the polling process, the NA secretary provided the speaker with the voting results. Subsequently, the speaker instructed the lawmakers to reconvene in the house for the announcement of the results, signaling the completion of the voting and counting procedures.
Shehbaz Sharif’s election as the Prime Minister marks a significant chapter in Pakistan’s political landscape, promising new directions and challenges for the nation’s governance.
