[1][2] He was sworn in as prime minister by Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani while acting as president on behalf of Arif Alvi.

[5] After a heavily contested election, Sharif was re-elected as prime minister on 4 March 2024, defeating the PTI-backed Omar Ayub Khan.

On 10 April 2022, the coalition succeeded in ousting Khan through a no-confidence motion, after which the Pakistan Democratic Movement formed its own government, choosing the opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif as the country's prime minister.

[7] The new government was faced with multiple economic challenges upon formation, mainly relating to the completion of the $6 billion IMF bailout program approved during Imran Khan's tenure.

[16] The government immediately sought to mend ties with the United States that were strained by Imran Khan's Lettergate controversy, despite Washington's increasing prioritization of India over Pakistan in its foreign policy.

IMF conditions led to increases in tax rates, while purchasing power declined in tandem with stagnant wage growth, outpaced by inflation.