Pakistan's Shehbaz Sharif takes oath as prime minister, directs team to talk with IMF

Pakistan's newly elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, delivers speech after elected as Pakistan's prime minister for second term, in the National Assembly building in Islamabad, Pakistan March 3, 2024. Pakistan National Assembly/Handout via REUTERS

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -Pakistan's Shehbaz Sharif took the oath on Monday to officially become prime minister for a second time, nearly four weeks after an uncertain national election caused delays in the formation of a coalition government.

Sharif, 72, officially took up office at a swearing-in ceremony at the presidential office in the nation's capital, Islamabad, a day after parliament elected him prime minister despite protests from lawmakers aligned with jailed former premier Imran Khan.