Former Pakistan premier Nawaz Sharif has appointed his younger brother and Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif as his party’s candidate for the post of prime minister in the 2018 general elections.
The announcement was made as senior leaders of the ruling PML-N party met at Nawaz’s Jati Umra residence on Wednesday night. According to media reports, Nawaz praised Shehbaz for his hard-working nature and devotion to public service.
“We are a democratic political party where everyone is free to voice their mind. Shehbaz has had a difference of opinion over some issues yet his commitment to the party overrules all else, which is why he has never violated the party discipline,” Nawaz was quoted as saying.
In July, Nawaz was ousted as premier by the Supreme Court after an investigative panel concluded his family’s assets exceeded their income. Initially, reports said Shahid Khaqan Abbasi — who was sworn in after Nawaz’s disqualification — would only serve as an interim premier, till Shehbaz could contest Nawaz’s vacated national assembly seat.
However, Shehbaz’s decision to nominate his son Hamza Shahbaz as the next Punjab chief minister reportedly angered his brother — Nawaz was reportedly looking at his daughter Maryam Nawaz to head Punjab.
{{/usCountry}}However, Shehbaz’s decision to nominate his son Hamza Shahbaz as the next Punjab chief minister reportedly angered his brother — Nawaz was reportedly looking at his daughter Maryam Nawaz to head Punjab.
{{/usCountry}}There were also rumours that Nawaz was preparing Maryam to take up the premiership post, which created an alleged rift between the Sharif brothers.