Row as Sharif replaces Khan as PM of Pakistan

Pakistan’s National Assembly has elected Shehbaz Sharif prime minister for the second time.

Allies of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan shouted in protest in parliament against his appointment, alleging rigging in last month's election.

Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said Mr Sharif secured 201 votes, defeating Omar Ayub of the Sunni Ittehad Council who got 92 votes. Mr Ayub enjoyed the backing of Mr Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-einsaf party, or PTI, whose candidates could not get enough seats to form a government on their own.

Following days of negotiations, Mr Sharif 's Pakistan Muslim League party and his supporters formed an alliance after the 8 February election, the results of which were announced after an unusual delay because of a nationwide mobile phone outage. Authorities said the cutting of communications was necessary to avoid militant attacks on candidates and security forces.

The delay drew criticism from Mr Khan's party, which insists the vote was rigged to stop it getting a majority. The party claims it has evidence its victory “was stolen during the vote count” – a charge the Election Commission denies.

Mr Sharif 's government faces multiple challenges, including how to respond to a surge in militant attacks, fix the ailing economy, repair crumbling infrastructure and resolve yearround power cuts.

Pakistan has been relying on bailouts to prop up its foreign exchange reserves and avoid default, with the IMF and wealthy allies like China and Saudi Arabia financing the country to the tune of billions of pounds. The new PM has said he will seek a fresh IMF bailout after the end of March when the current one expires.

Mr Sharif replaced Mr Khan after he was ousted in a no-confidence vote in parliament in April 2022.