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Sharif, 72, officially took up office at a swearing-in ceremony
at the presidential office in the nation's capital, Islamabad, a
day after parliament elected him prime minister despite protests
from lawmakers aligned with jailed former premier Imran Khan.
Sharif wore a black traditional overcoat, called a sherwani, in
the ceremony, broadcast live on state TV and attended by civil,
military, bureaucracy and other dignities.
The Feb. 8 election was marred by a mobile internet shutdown,
arrests and violence in its build-up and the unusually delayed
results triggered accusations that the vote was rigged.
Candidates backed by Khan gained the most seats but the Pakistan
Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People's Party
(PPP) agreed to form a coalition government. The PML-N is
spearheaded by Shehbaz Sharif's elder brother, three time
premier Nawaz Sharif, but he decided not to take the prime
minister's post.
The younger Sharif returns to the role he previously held until
August, when parliament was dissolved to prepare for the
election.
Economists, investors and foreign capitals would now be watching
closely for an announcement by Sharif on the cabinet, especially
the important finance portfolio. The next finance minister will
have to immediately undertake tough talks with the International
Monetary Fund to get a new multi-billion dollar funding
agreement, with the current one expiring in April.
Former four-time finance minister Ishaq Dar remains the top
contender, PML-N sources have told Reuters, though several other
candidates were being seriously considered.
(Reporting by Charlotte Greenfield and Asif Shahzad; Editing by
Raju Gopalakrishnan)
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