Pakistan's National Assembly has elected Nawaz Sharif as prime minister, a vote widely expected after Mr. Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League won the May 11 general elections. The vote Wednesday marks the first transition of power between two democratically elected civilian governments in the nearly 66-year history of Pakistan.
Mr. Sharif, who is 63, received 244 votes in the 342-seat parliament, returning him to the prime minister's office for an unprecedented third term. He will be officially sworn into office later Wednesday.
Mr. Sharif said in a speech to the lawmakers that the top priorities of his administration include fixing the country's economy and tackling corruption.
Mr. Sharif also called for an end to the drone strikes used by the U.S. to kill militants in the tribal areas, along the Afghan border. The drone strikes are deeply unpopular among Pakistanis who say the strikes have killed civilians and are an affront to the country's sovereignty.
Mr. Sharif was Pakistan's prime minister from 1990 until 1993, when he was forced to resign because of allegations of corruption. He returned to the job in 1997, but was toppled by a military coup two years later.
Mr. Sharif, who is 63, received 244 votes in the 342-seat parliament, returning him to the prime minister's office for an unprecedented third term. He will be officially sworn into office later Wednesday.
Mr. Sharif said in a speech to the lawmakers that the top priorities of his administration include fixing the country's economy and tackling corruption.
Mr. Sharif also called for an end to the drone strikes used by the U.S. to kill militants in the tribal areas, along the Afghan border. The drone strikes are deeply unpopular among Pakistanis who say the strikes have killed civilians and are an affront to the country's sovereignty.
Mr. Sharif was Pakistan's prime minister from 1990 until 1993, when he was forced to resign because of allegations of corruption. He returned to the job in 1997, but was toppled by a military coup two years later.