Nawaz Sharif to be sworn in as Pakistani prime minister 5 June 2013 Last updated at 00:18 Nawaz Sharif is to be sworn in as Pakistan's prime minister on Wednesday after his surprise landslide victory in general elections last month. His appointment will be endorsed by newly-elected members of parliament. Mr Sharif faces numerous pressing challenges, including reviving a weak economy and bringing an end to militant attacks and US drone strikes. He becomes prime minister for an unprecedented third time after his election win in May. The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says that the new prime minister's priorities will be rejuvenating the economy and improving security - both areas that require some speedy but difficult decision-making in a geo-strategic environment which is shaped and controlled by the military. Nawaz Sharif has made history by becoming the prime minister for the third time, but it is not going to be a bed of roses. Controlling power cuts is his most immediate concern, and a major reason why so many people voted for him. But there is no money to fund the cycle of debt between power generation and distribution firms. Also, the power bureaucracy needs restructuring, including some politically damaging lay-offs. Raising revenue is a tough call. Mr Sharif's most loyal vote-bank comprises the trading and professional classes, who are also the largest tax evaders. While in opposition, his party blocked proposed tax reforms, but he will now be under pressure to do the opposite. His wider ambition of triggering sustainable economic growth may remain unfulfilled if Pakistan continues on an adversarial course with neighbours India and Afghanistan. Changing this will not be easy. He will need to eliminate militant networks, and also deal with the powerful military that has been using those militants as proxies in the region. While the new prime minister favours talks with the Pakistani Taliban, many expect that once he gets into power, he will accept the army's view that all past negotiations have failed and the only option is to fight the jihadis who attack domestic targets. He comes to power at a critical time in the battle against the Taliban - as Nato forces begin the process of withdrawing from Afghanistan. Mr Sharif has continually spoken out against US drone strikes in Pakistan although it is not clear how he can bring these to an end. Infrastructure projects are another important priority - he wants to stop power cuts and construct a bullet train between Karachi and Peshawar. Nawaz Sharif will take the oath to become prime minister on Wednesday evening, after he is elected as leader of the house, our correspondent says. Because his PML-N party has an outright majority in parliament - with the support of some independent MPs - the prime minister does not need to form a coalition. He is likely to address parliament after being elected its leader but is not expected to go into policy details. Old rival The ceremony will be attended by members of parliament, foreign diplomats and dignitaries, senior members of the judiciary and chiefs of the armed forces. Swearing in itinerary 10:00 (05:00 GMT): Members of parliament convene 11:00-12:00 (06:00-07:00 GMT): Nawaz Sharif elected leader of the house 12:00-16:00 (07:00-11:00 GMT): Forms government and appoints key ministers 17:00 (12:00 GMT): Sworn in as prime minister 18:00 (13:00 GMT) onwards: Nawaz Sharif delivers maiden speech as prime minister Although other candidates from the Pakistan People's Party and from Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party will stand against him, Mr Sharif's nomination will be a formality because of the commanding majority of his party in parliament. President Asif Ali Zardari - his old political rival - will administer the oath to him. He is also likely to swear in key members of Mr Sharif's cabinet. PML-N sources are reported in the Pakistan media as saying that the new prime minister wants to compose a cabinet of fewer than 24 ministers but at the same time is under pressure to have representatives from all the country's provinces within it. Correspondents say that Mr Sharif's task is all the more complicated because most PML-N members come from Punjab province. On Monday, the PML-N's Sardar Ayaz Sadiq was elected as the 19th speaker of the National Assembly after securing 258 of 312 valid votes.