'Congratulations' PM Modi Greets Shehbaz Sharif On Becoming Pakistan's PM For 2nd Term

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated his Pakistani counterpart, Shehbaz Sharif after taking oath as Pakistan's new PM for a second time, nearly four weeks after an uncertain national election caused delays in the formation of a coalition government.

PM Modi Congratulates Pakistan's New PM

PM Modi said on X, "Congratulations to @CMShehbaz on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan." In the February 8 elections, Shehbaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party came second. Independent candidates backed by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf won the most seats but failed to get a majority in Parliament.

Shehbaz Sharif Took the Oath In a Ceremony

Shehbaz Sharifon Monday officially took up office at a swearing-in ceremony at the presidential office in the nation's capital, Islamabad, a day after parliament elected him prime minister despite protests from lawmakers aligned with jailed former premier Imran Khan.

About Pakistan's Elections

Candidates backed by Khan gained the most seats but the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) agreed to form a coalition government. The PML-N is spearheaded by Shehbaz Sharif's elder brother, three-time premier Nawaz Sharif, but he decided not to take the prime minister's post.