Shehbaz Sharif Returns As Pakistan PM; Rival Omar Ayub Khan Alleges 'Illegal Elections'

shehbaz sharif returns as pakistan pm; rival omar ayub khan alleges ‘illegal elections’

Islamabad: As Shehbaz Sharif marks the start of his second term as Pakistan’s Prime Minister, his main rival Omar Ayub Khan has alleged that the elections to select the country’s leader were “illegal”. Sharif, who was nominated as the PM face by his brother – Nawaz Sharif – was elected the 24th Prime Minister of Pakistan on Sunday.

As per reports, the PTI-backed candidate came down heavily on the ruling coalition for the selection of PM. Khan also reportedly called the ruling coalition of PML-N and PPP a “fascist regime focused solely on looting Pakistan’s resources without any ideology”.

“We did not get the seats that we should’ve gotten, so the election of the speaker, deputy speaker, and prime minister has become illegal”, he was quoted as saying by the Pakistani daily – The Express Tribune.

“I want to tell the people of Pakistan that the people of the PML-N and other parties sitting here appear to be defeated; their faces indicate that they have been given a stolen mandate. When a thief is fleeing after stealing, there is fear on his face,” Khan added.

PTI has alleged foul play in the February 8 national elections. Adding to his allegations against the ruling coalition, Khan alleged that cases had been filed against around 80 members of his party to stop them from contesting.

“You (ruling coalition) have snatched our electoral symbol from us, you have snatched the result of Form 45, but we stood, we are standing, and we will stand until Imran Khan takes the oath of prime minister,” Khan was quoted as saying.