Islamabad: Pakistan's newly elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif replied to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi congratulating him on his re-election as the Pakistan PM. His reply on social media came a day after PM Modi extended greetings to Sharif on being elected as Pakistan's PM. "Thank you @narendramodi for felicitations on my election as the Prime Minister of Pakistan," wrote Shehbaz.
On Monday, Sharif was sworn in as the 24th PM of Pakistan nearly a month after the country held general elections. Subsequently, PM Modi congratulated him on becoming Pakistan's new Prime Minister. Shehbaz, the candidate of a six-party coalition led his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), was administered oath as Pakistan's 24th Prime Minister by President Arif Alvi on Monday.
Notably, this was not the first time when the Indian leader extended his best wishes to his Pakistani counterpart. Earlier in 2022, when Shehbaz was sworn in for the first time following the ouster of cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, he sent a similar message. However, unlike this time, he said India desired peace and stability in a region free of terror, so "we can focus on our development challenges and ensure the well-being and prosperity of our people". PM Modi had then also written to Shehbaz.
In 2024, both countries have general elections-- Pakistan had held in February, whereas India will hold somewhere in April or May. Unlike, earlier elections, this time, India's rhetoric did not gain momentum in Pakistan and a similar situation has been glimpsed in Delhi too.
Who is Shehbaz Sharif?
Shehbaz, known to be an astute politician and a good administrator, was tasked by his elder brother and former three-time prime minister to negotiate with other like-minded parties on the formation of a coalition government. Besides the PPP, Shehbaz was backed by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM-P), Pakistan Muslim League (Q), Balochistan Awami Party, Pakistan Muslim League (Z), Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party and the National Party.
The new leader should make difficult decisions to undertake to reform the economy of the cash-strapped country and administration. He should also mend ties with its neighbours for peace and stability.
