Mr Sharif has emphasised that reviving the economy is a top priorityPakistan’s new Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called for an end to US drone strikes in his first address since being re-elected to the post.
“We respect the sovereignty of others and they should respect our sovereignty and independence. This campaign must come to an end,” he told MPs.
Mr Sharif, who was ousted in a 1999 coup, will be sworn in later for an unprecedented third term as PM.
He faces numerous challenges, including Taliban attacks and a crippled economy.
The BBC’s Orla Guerin in Islamabad says that Mr Sharif’s re-election is an extraordinary comeback for the centre-right leader.
In his speech to parliament after MPs approved him as prime minister, Mr Sharif also pledged to tackle corruption and reduce unemployment and power cuts.
He told MPs that it was necessary to work out a joint strategy to stop drone strikes.
“We must learn others’ [American] concerns about us, and express our concerns about them, and find a way to resolve this issue,” he said.
“These drone strikes that rain in every day have to stop.”
The BBC’s M Ilyas Khan – who was in parliament to hear Mr Sharif speak – says that the underlying message was that US concerns about militancy need to be addressed.
In his remarks to the National Assembly, Mr Sharif also appealed for unity, while stressing that improving the economy will be his top priority.
But to do that he may need a bailout from the International Monetary Fund.
Source: BBC
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