Nearly 14 years after being deposed in a military coup and forced into exile, Nawaz Sharif was today sworn in as Pakistan's Prime Minister for a record third term.He has called for an end to US drone strikes in his first address since being re-elected to the post. Mr Sharif, who was ousted in a 1999 coup, was today afternoon sworn in by President Asif Ali Zardari who administered the oath to him. Mr Sharif 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. Mr Sharif also appealed for unity, while stressing that improving the economy will be his top priority. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by members of parliament, foreign diplomats and dignitaries, senior members of the judiciary and chiefs of the armed forces at the presidential palace in Islamabad.

Earlier, the National Assembly elected PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif as Leader of the House by a two third majority. He got 244 votes while his opponents Makhdoom Amin Fahim of Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians bagged 42 votes and Makhdoom Javed Hashmi of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf secured 31 votes.

This is for the first time that the transfer of power in Pakistan has taken place through a democratically elected government in country's history of 66 years.