Who Is Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan's New Prime Minister

Producer: Mehak Pal Editor: Aparna Singh

The Pakistan National Assembly elected 72-year-old Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shehbaz Sharif as the 24th prime minister. He is chosen as the consensus candidate of PML-N and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

Shehbaz will be administered the oath of office on Monday at the Presidential mansion, Aiwan-e-Sadr.

Here are some interesting facts you should know about Shehbaz Sharif.

Shehbaz Sharif studied at Government College, Lahore, and later pursued a law degree from the University of Punjab.

He entered politics in the 1980s, rising swiftly through the ranks of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), founded by his brother Nawaz Sharif and their father.

He served multiple terms as the chief minister of Punjab, Pakistan's most populous province.

He played a crucial role in maintaining a coalition of disparate parties for 16 months after Imran Khan was voted out of office in 2022.

Sharif first served as prime minister in 2022, in the absence of his elder brother and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif. He remained PM for 16 months before being replaced by the caretaker government for general elections.

His nomination for the prime ministerial role was unexpected, especially after Nawaz Sharif's return from exile to contest the election.

Shehbaz is widely perceived to maintain favourable relations with the military.