Shehbaz Sharif to Lead PML (N) After Nawaz Sharif

Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz is considering appointing Shehbaz Sharif as the new leader. The decision comes after Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification as Prime Minister of the country. The plan is to ask Shehbaz Sharif to contest the 2018 general elections in place of Nawaz Sharif.

Shehbaz Sharif’s Brief Profile

Shehbaz Sharif is currently the Chief Minister of Punjab. He has held this position several times before. A politician who is known to believe in ruling with an iron hand. An Administrator known for his countless strict actions against corrupt officials of the province found in any department.

In order for Shehbaz Sharif to contest elections as Prime Minister, he will have to first become member of the National Assembly.

Why Need for Replacement of the Party Leader?

The Election Commission of Pakistan had earlier issued a notice. This notice by the ECP maintained that a disqualified member of the national assembly could not hold a post in any political party. Therefore, the ECP had urged the PML (N) to select a new leader.

Furthermore, the notice gave reference of the SC order of Nawaz Sharif disqualification. Besides, it also gave reference to Article 15 of PML (N)’s constitution that if the seat of the Party’s President is vacant, it has to be filled within one week.

Challenges for Shehbaz Sharif to Lead PML (N)

It will not be easy to steer PML (N) towards a landslide victory in 2018 general elections. Shehbaz Sharif will have to overcome many challenges.

Political Differences Between Party Leadership

There exists a clear difference when it comes to making important decisions in the part. The Nawaz Sharif GT Road rally is one prime example of this divisiveness. A lot of the senior members of the party were missing from this rally.

Although media was quick to point out Chaudhry Nisar not participating in the rally. However, many other leaders of the party did not show up in the rally. It shows that not all leadership was probably onboard in conducting that rally.

Spat Between Pervaiz Rasheed and Chaudhry Nisar

The recent exchange of hotheaded words between Chaudhry Nisar and Pervaiz Rasheed is another sing of this division. Pervaiz Rasheed who lost his ministry over Dawn Leaks was quick to criticize Chaudhry Nisar. In a coveted manner he pointed towards Chaudhry Nisar’s failings.

Furthermore, Pervaiz Rasheed said that he did nothing of the sorts to make Dawn Leaks possible. Pervaiz Rasheed stated that decisions were taken against the party in the presence of the Interior Ministry. Chaudhary Nisar stated that some people (Pervaiz Rasheed) were putting the burden of their mistakes on the establishment.

Shehbaz Sharif will have to try and unite the various factions of the party. He will have to repair the damage done due to Panama Leaks. It may mean making essential seat adjustments and re-aligning the party’s leadership to unite it again under the flag of PML (N).  

The Rift Between the Sharif Family

There exists a rift between the Sharif Family as well. The recent tweets by Tehmina Durrani criticized the Nawaz Sharif’s GT road rally saying it was putting Shehbaz Sharif in a difficult position.

Similarly, some media reports suggest that Nawaz Sharif has barred Hamza Shahbaz from running the political campaign for Kulsoom Nawaz in the upcoming NA-120 election.

Furthermore, media was quick to point out absence of Hamza Shahbaz from the oath taking ceremony of Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s new cabinet. Therefore, Shehbaz Sharif would also have to unite the Sharif family before going into the 2018 general elections.