Interference must be condemned
DAWN.COMFeb 22
Pakistan: Shehbaz Sharif Sworn in as Prime Minister
The Facts
Shehbaz Sharif officially became Pakistan's prime minister for a second time at a swearing-in ceremony in Islamabad on Monday, nearly a month after national elections that delivered a hung parliament.
He previously led the government from April 2022 to Aug. 2023, following the removal of the currently jailed leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
There's no valid evidence that rigging or controversy marred this polling process. However, the West has sought to outrageously meddle in Pakistan's internal affairs, voicing unfounded concerns over the vote while baselessly demanding probes into alleged irregularities. Pakistan's sovereignty, its rule of law, and the results of its election must be internationally respected.
Establishment-critical narrative
These elections were flawed from the beginning and, with authorities carrying out blatant lawfare against Khan and his PTI, this outcome was widely anticipated. What's surprising, however, is that the US has failed to take stronger action to ensure that its treaty ally has a free and fair vote, despite Biden arguing that promoting democracy overseas is the defining challenge of our time. Perhaps democratic values aren't that important to the White House after all.
Nerd narrative
There's a 21% chance of civil war in Pakistan before 2036, according to the Metaculus prediction community.