ISLAMABAD: The Prime Minister-elect Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif announced 10 percent raise in pay and pension, vowed to overcome energy crisis and improve bilateral foreign relationship with EU, UK, Saudi Arabia and other countries. Increase in pay and pension would be applicable from 1st April 2022.
He was speaking in the National Assembly on Monday afternoon when he was elected with 174 votes of MNAs amid boycott of the proceedings of the National Assembly by PTI MNAs.
In his maiden speech as PM-elected Shehbaz Sharif said that his government would strive to overcome energy crisis, offer better healthcare to people by reviving Benazir Bhutto health cards.
He also said that his government would distribute more laptops amongst the talented students throughout the country.
PM-elect Shehbaz Sharif will take oath as formal PM today from the President of Pakistan Dri Arif Alvi at 8pm today. PTI’s candidate Shah Mahmood Qureshi first made a furious speech against the opposition in the parliament, then announced boycott of the election of PM and left the House along with many other PTI MNAs, leaving the field open for the opposition parties to elect their leader of the House.
Deputy Speaker of NA Qasim Suri, who was chairing the session, said that he don’t want to become part of this election and he handed over speakership to PML(N) leader Ayaz Sadiq to continue to proceedings of the parliament.
Thus, Ayaz Sadiq initiated voting for the new Prime Minister of Pakistan around 4:05pm.
PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, PPP co-chair Asif Ali Zardari and other opposition leaders were present in the hall.
As the session commenced after the recitation of the Holy Quran, the deputy speaker gave reasons behind earlier his ruling, which was set aside by Supreme Court.
“The ruling was declared unconstitutional by the court and we all are obliged to respect the court. But I want to tell you the reason behind my ruling,” said Suri.
He added that the decision was taken “as a responsible Pakistani and deputy speaker of the NA”.
Suri then referred to the diplomatic communiqué and said that the cable was discussed during the meeting of the NSC, in the federal cabinet and a parliamentary committee meeting. He added that it was “proven” that the no-trust motion was linked to a foreign conspiracy.
In a video message after the meeting, the former information minister said PTI Chairman Imran Khan has decided that the PTI would not legitimise this ‘foreign-funded regime change’ in Pakistan by taking part in the election of the premier.
“The parliamentary meeting of the PTI gave Imran the complete authority to make decisions on the lawmakers’ behalf.”
Fawad said as per the directions of Imran, no PTI lawmaker will vote in the election for the PM and after that, the PTI MNAs will also send their resignations to the National Assembly speaker.
