Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif was sworn in as the country’s 23rd prime minister at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad on Monday.

Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani administered oath to Shehbaz in the absence of President Dr Arif Alvi, who went on 'sick' leave.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and PML-N leaders Maryam Nawaz, Hamza Shehbaz, Ahsan Iqbal, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Rana Sanaullah among other major political leaders attended the oath-taking ceremony held at President House in the federal capital.

Earlier in the day the newly-elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while addressing the National Assembly in his first speech as premier, called for an in-camera briefing on the issue of the controversial "communique" by a Pakistani diplomat that de-seated premier Imran Khan claimed was proof of an international conspiracy to bring about regime change with the help of erstwhile opposition parties

"I want this debate to end once and for all," he said, adding that members of the Parliament's steering committee, chief of the armed forces, the director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence, the foreign secretary as well as the diplomat who drafted/communicated the letter should be made part of the briefing.

He said that although the purported "threat letter" has dominated national news and accusations have been made of the involvement of the PDM leadership in the conspiracy, he was yet to see teh letter.

"If there is even a shred of evidence of our [erstwhile opposition] involvement in the conspiracy, I will resign straight away," he asserted to the approval of lawmakers present in the House. PTI lawmakers had already vacated the hall while the voting was taking place, giving treasury benches a forlorn look until members of the erstwhile opposition seated themselves there after Shehbaz's election.

PM-in-waiting Shehbaz Sharif will be administered the oath by Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani following doctors advising rest to President Arif Alvi after complains of discomfort.

"A prime minister borne of lies sent packing constitutionally"

At the onset of his address, Shehbaz expressed gratitude to the Almighty while stating that this was the first instance in Pakistan’s history where a no-confidence motion against a sitting prime minister was successful. “It was a victory for truth while falsehood was defeated”.

He said that the House had sent the “prime minister borne of lies back home through constitutional measures” and in buried "the doctrine of necessity forever" in the process.

Narrating the incidents surrounding the no-confidence motion, he said that efforts to connect it to an internationally-funded campaign to oust Imran Khan was a concoction.

He also lauded his elder brother and three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for what he said was "exemplary leadership".

Public relief

During his address, PM Shehbaz also announced several measures of public relief, including increasing minimum wage of government employees to Rs25,000. He also announced 10% increase in pensions, adding that both changes would be applicable from April 1.

Shehbaz further said that they would also be providing relief to the common man during the month of Ramazan by subsiding wheat.

"Over 6 million people are now out of jobs. I don't understand how these people [erstwhile government] sleep at night," he stated.

The newly-elected premier also announced the resumption of the Benazir Income Support Programme that has been marred by accusations of corruption.

Reiterating the erstwhile opposition's stance that it would not involve in politics of revenge, Shehbaz stated that the new government is focused on dialogue as opposed to deadlock in order to take democracy forward.

Regional and global ties

Speaking on the country's regional and international relations, he said that the strong fraternal relations between Pakistan and China will conitnue. "It someone gets upset over it, that's not our problem."

On the US, Shehbaz remarked that Pakistan wants to increase ties on the basis of equality and reciprocity, while asserting that ties with the UK, Iran, Turkey and the US will be enhanced.

He said that the European Union would be approached for the renewal of the GSP+ status that is tied to good governance, rights record and sustainable development.

The former opposition leader said that the entire nation needs to be united on the issue of Afghanistan as it is a neighbouring country that is caught up in a crisis.

Invitation to Modi

Shehbaz Sharif, whose PML-N has a history of efforts to improve ties with India, reiterated the desire for improving ties between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

"My advice to [Indian PM Narendra] Modi is to come and resolve the Kashmir issue and spread happiness to both sides."