Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and members of his cabinet posed for a final photograph on Wednesday before leaving the power corridors. Shehbaz Sharif will serve as the premier until a caretaker prime minister is appointed, likely next week.

Shehbaz Sharif posted the photograph to social media and profusely thanked his colleague who assisted him through “immense challenges” in the past 16 months.

Sharif became prime minister in April 2022 after PTI’s Imran Khan was removed by a no-trust vote.

“In the special cabinet meeting today, I thanked my cabinet colleagues for their cooperation and support. I was deeply humbled by their kind words for my person,” he said.

“The last 16 months was a time of immense challenges, unforeseen in our history. The coming together of Pakistan’s political forces for a national agenda represents evolution of our democratic system,” the outgoing prime minister said.

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“Given the seriousness of plethora of the crises from the unprecedented floods to saving the country from default to rebuilding Pakistan’s diplomatic relations to fixing governance challenges, we used collective wisdom to navigate the treacherous landscape.

“Alhamdolillah, Pakistan in August 2023 is better off than it was in April 2022. Our long-term challenges still remain but the way forward has clearly been identified and actions initiated in that direction.

“I am thankful to every cabinet colleague for their advice, and input, which helped me personally to serve the country in the best possible way. I wish them well.”