'India Desires Region Free of Terror': Modi Congratulates Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif

Shehbaz Sharif took over the reins of Pakistan on Monday, after former PM Imran Khan was ousted on Sunday,

PM Narendra Modi on Monday, 11 April, congratulated newly-appointed Shehbaz Sharif after the latter took oath as the new Pakistan prime minister.

Altered by The Quint

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, 11 April, congratulated Shehbaz Sharif after the latter took oath as the new Pakistan prime minister, saying that India desires peace and stability in a region free of terror.

Sharif took over the reins of Pakistan on Monday, after former PM Imran Khan was ousted on Sunday, with 174 members of the 342-seat Assembly favouring the no-confidence motion in a midnight voting.

The leader of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) was elected as the 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan on Monday with 174 lawmakers voting in his favour after the MNAs of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) boycotted the election, Dawn reported.

Sharif was administered the oath by acting President Sadiq Sanjrani, stepping in to replace President Dr Arif Alvi, who was unable to attend the ceremony, having been advised to rest by doctors after reportedly complaining of discomfort on Monday evening.

Earlier, PTI MNAs had walked out of the Assembly, with Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who was the party's candidate for the top post, announcing that they would be resigning en masse from the National Assembly.

PML-N's Ayaz Sadiq presided over the session after Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri said his conscience did not allow him to conduct the session.

Shehbaz Sharif's Inaugural Speech

The newly-elected prime minister said it is the first time in Pakistan's history that a no-confidence motion against a prime minister has been successful. "And good has prevailed over evil," he said.

The PM addressed the assembly and claimed that God has 'saved Pakistan'.

"Today, the almighty has saved Pakistan and the 22 crore people of the country. This is the first time when the vote of no-confidence motion was successfully passed. The people of this country will celebrate this day," Sharif said.

Denouncing Khan's allegations of foreign interference, he declared that an in-camera discussion on the allegation will be undertaken. The military, along with DG ISI among others will also be among members of that meeting.

"If there is even a shred of truth to the foreign interference claims, I will resign as PM," the leader said.