PML-N elects Nawaz as ‘Quaid for life’, Shahbaz as interim president

LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Central Working Committee on Tuesday elected Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif as the party’s acting president. 

A meeting of the CWC with PML-N chairman Raja Zafarul Haq in the chair was held at the Sharif family’s Model Town residence.

The meeting was attended by former premier Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and other senior leaders of the ruling party.

Shahbaz, who is the Punjab’s chief minister, emerged as a consensus choice for the top party position.

However, in a tweet, Maryam Nawaz, daughter of the former prime minister, announced: “PMLN elects Nawaz Sharif as its QUAID for life. Raja Zafarul Haq, PM Abbasi & CM SS proposal elicited a resounding approval from CWC.”

Nawaz Sharif had already put his weight behind his younger brother for performing well in Punjab and keeping the party united by dint of his “exceptional qualities.”

Sources say the former premier will be calling the shots from behind the scene and will have greater say in party affairs even though the younger Sharif remains the party chief.

Shahbaz Sharif has been elected for the interim period of 45 days until the general council meeting takes place next month to elect the full-time president.

It is likely that the Punjab chief minister will continue as the party’s permanent president after the interim period.

As per the PML-N constitution, the party’s CWC is to elect its acting party chief within a week of the top party seat is vacated due to any reason. Afterwards, the party’s general council is required to elect the president within 45 days.

Nawaz Sharif remained the party chief until the Supreme Court declared him ineligible to head his party.

On Feb 21, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar gave this verdict on a number of petitions challenging the controversial amendment to the Election Act 20117, which allowed Sharif to head his party.

The court also declared that all decisions taken by Nawaz as PML-N president since July 28 stand null and void after the judgment.