INTERNATIONAL: Dozens of supporters celebrated with fireworks, dancing and sweets as Shehbaz Sharif was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Pakistan on Monday 11th April, taking over from ousted premier Imran Khan.

In the city of Rawalpindi near the capital Islamabad, local activists from Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) praised Sharif for saying he would hold an inquiry into an alleged threat from the United States towards Khan's government, and said he would lead Pakistan to progress.

Earlier in the day, Sharif won the support of 174 legislators out of the 342-member house in a parliamentary vote to elect a replacement for Khan.

More than 100 lawmakers loyal to Khan resigned on Monday, creating a headache for the new, Western-friendly incumbent Sharif as he tries to drag his country out of political and economic crisis.

The incumbent Imran Khan, 69, lost a no-confidence vote in parliament after nearly four years in power.

Khan had antagonised the United States throughout his tenure, welcoming the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan last year and more recently accusing the United States of being behind the attempt to oust him. Washington had dismissed the accusation.

Parliament's election of Sharif, 70, as prime minister followed a week-long constitutional crisis that reached a climax with Sunday's (April 10) vote.

Sharif, the 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan and younger brother of former PM Nawaz Sharif, will now form a new government that can remain in place until August 2023, when general elections are due.