Pakistan, June 23 -- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday defended his government's legitimacy in the National Assembly and challenged opposition criticism. He argued that if the 2018 general election was accepted as legitimate, the current government deserved the same recognition. The remarks are significant as political tensions continue over electoral credibility and democratic governance in Pakistan.

Speaking during the debate on the Finance Bill 2026-27, the prime minister responded to opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai's allegations that the government was illegal. Shehbaz said any inquiry into election legitimacy should begin with the 2018 polls. He maintained that if no evidence of manipulation emerged from that review, ...