“Thank you Narendra Modi for felicitations on my as the Prime Minister of Pakistan,” Shehbaz Sharif said on X.
In what was effectively a one-word post on X, PM Narendra Modi had said “congratulations” to Shehbaz Sharif on taking over as Pakistan PM.
PM Modi’s curt message was in stark contrast to his congratulatory post in 2022, when Shehbaz had taken oath as PM for the first time, in which he had said India desired peace and stability in a region free of terror, so “we can focus on our development challenges and ensure the well-being and prosperity of our people”. PM Modi had then also written to Shehbaz.
As India too goes to polls, mending the frayed relationship seems low on the priority lists of both govts.
“Congratulations to @CMShehbaz on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan,” Modi said on X.
Shehbaz Sharif, a leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), took the oath of office on Monday amidst protests from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which has alleged election rigging on February 8.
Shehbaz Sharif secured 201 votes in the National Assembly, defeating his rival Omar Ayub Khan, who was supported by the PTI.
The formation of the new government came after the PML-N held discussions with the Pakistan Peoples Party and other parties.
The general elections on February 8 were marred by allegations of rigging and the shutdown of cellular and internet services.
