Zee Media Bureau
Islamabad: Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday got his name etched in Pakistan’s history as the first person ever to have sworn-in as Prime Minister thrice.
Sharif took oath as Pakistan’s Prime Minister for a record third time today after he was elected with 244 votes in the 342-seat Parliament.
Contesting the election against Sharif were Javed Hashmi of the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf and Makhdoom Amin Fahim of the Pakistan People’s Party, which led the previous government.
Makhdoom Javed Hashmi received 31 votes while Makdhoom Amin Fahim received a total of 42 votes.
Hailing his victory after being elected the PM, Sharif congratulated the electorate for voting in 11 May polls despite threats from militants.
“People have made clear that democracy is the only way for Pakistan”, said Sharif.
“Doosron kay samne haath failanaey valey kabhi apne pair par khadey nhi ho sakte. (Those who seek from others, can never stand on their own feet). My govt will work towards self- sustainability, added the newly sworn-in PM.
"We accept the challenges before us. I will not hide anything nor make any false promises", said Nawaz.
We won`t allow any favoritism, corrupt people will be held accountable, said PM Nawaz Sharif while addressing National Assembly session.
Sharif also said that his party could have formed the government in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa but chose to respect the mandate of the PTI.
However Sharif`s speech ended without any mention of Kashmir or India-Pakistan ties.
Talking about the drone strikes by the US, the PM said that America must stop them.
Sharif faces a mountain of challenges during his five-year term, including rolling electricity blackouts and militant attacks.
Earlier, Sharif has served as the Pakistani Premier during 1990-1993 and 1997-1999 but was ousted from office before he could complete his term, once on corruption charges and later because of a military coup led by Pervez Musharraf.
After being deposed in 1999, he was jailed and sent into exile to Saudi Arabia.
With Agency Inputs
