August 17,2018:
On Friday, Imran Khan won a lawmaker vote to secure Pakistan’s Prime Ministership after his party pulled together a coalition majority since gaining most seats at last month’s national elections.
Imran Khan was elected by 176 votes compared to the 96 of his opposition rival Shehbaz Sharif of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.
The 65-year-old former cricket star’s ascent became certain after the Pakistan Peoples Party, the third largest group, abstained from the vote and declined to back Sharif’s candidacy, despite both parties claiming rigging and military manipulation at the July 25 ballot.
Imran Khan pledged to investigate the charges and the army has consistently denied the allegations.
After galvanizing voters, particularly Pakistan’s large young electorate, Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has made promises to both expand social spending, while attempting to fix the economy and rebuild the nation’s depleted finances.
Despite forming a majority with the support of independents and several smaller parties, Khan’s ability to govern and push through reforms will continue to be tested.
During his victory speech on July 26, Khan called for closer ties with China and stated that he wanted a more “mutually beneficial” relationship with Washington.
Imran Khan's comments comes after President Donald Trump cut Pakistan’s military aid and a U.S. push saw the country added to a global anti-money laundering and terror financing agency in June.
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