ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said elections would take place in 15 months when the new government completes its constitutionally mandated tenure in August 2023.
Sharif was sworn in as Pakistan’s 23rd prime minister on April 11, a day after a united opposition ousted ex-PM Imran Khan from office in a vote of no-confidence.
Khan has accused Sharif and other political rivals of ousting him through a Washington-backed conspiracy and been holding rallies across the country demanding the government announce a date for snap elections.
Though Sharif has so far not committed to a schedule for new polls, in an interview to TRT World broadcast on Thursday, the PM said his government would complete its tenure before general elections were held.
When asked by the interviewer whether elections would be held on time, that is when the constitutionally mandated term of parliament ends in August 2023, Sharif said: “In about 15 months from now? Yes, that’s right.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, left, with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Ankara on June 1, 2022. (Photo courtesy: @RTErdogan/Twitter)
Sharif was speaking during a three-day trip to Turkey this week in which he met Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
“I have proposed [to Erdogan] that Pakistan, China and Turkey be partners in this great game of vision,” the prime minister said, referring to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) of energy, agriculture and infrastructure projects.
CPEC is a central part of the Belt and Road Initiative, under which Beijing has pledged over $60 billion in Pakistan, much of it in the form of loans. The plan is part of China’s aim to forge “Silk Road” land and sea ties to markets in the Middle East and Europe.
Sharif said China would not object to Turkey’s inclusion in the project as it was about peace and security in the region.
“I think Turkey can take up several projects owing to its expertise in them,” PM Sharif said. “If you put together the energy, expertise and financial resources of these three countries, I think this will be a great win-win story in the times to come.”
Sharif expressed happiness at Turkey’s improving relations with the UAE and Saudi Arabia, adding that Ankara’s relations with Riyadh had “become very positive.”
“These are very good signals not only for Turkey, UAE and Saudi Arabia, but also for the entire Islamic world,” he added, “and for global peace and security.”
