On Saturday, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Central Working Committee (CWC) accepted the resignation of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif from the party’s presidency. However, he has been nominated as the acting president, according to a report by Dawn, a Pakistan-based news outlet.
Shehbaz Sharif announced his resignation from the PML-N President position on May 13. He expressed that “the time has come” for his brother Nawaz Sharif to return to his “rightful place as the president of the party.”
Nawaz Sharif’s Return to Leadership
Nawaz Sharif, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, was removed as the PML-N president in 2018 following a Supreme Court verdict.
The court, headed by then-chief justice Mian Saqib Nisar, ruled that an individual disqualified under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution could not serve as the head of a political party.
This decision forced Nawaz Sharif to step down from his leadership role within the PML-N.
Recently, in April, Rana Sanaullah, PML-N’s Punjab President, urged Nawaz Sharif to reassume the party’s presidency after receiving relief in the legal cases against him.
This call was echoed by other party leaders, leading to the recent developments within the PML-N.
The PML-N General Council has been scheduled to meet at 11 am on May 28, during which Nawaz Sharif is expected to be elected as the party president.
Additionally, Rana Sanaullah has been nominated as the chief election commissioner of the PML-N, a position crucial for overseeing the internal elections of the party.
Leadership Meeting in Lahore
The latest changes within the PML-N were decided during a meeting held in Lahore’s Model Town. The meeting, which lasted for more than an hour and a half, was attended by several key PML-N leaders.
Among the attendees were Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and Khawaja Saad Rafique.
The meeting was presided over by Ahsan Iqbal, a prominent PML-N leader, who officially announced the acceptance of Shehbaz Sharif’s resignation.
He praised Shehbaz Sharif for his seven years of service as the party president. Following this announcement, the PML-N leaders proposed Shehbaz Sharif’s name as the acting president, a move that received unanimous support from the members, including Nawaz Sharif.
Despite Shehbaz Sharif’s resignation, the PML-N leadership has stated that Nawaz Sharif will ultimately be the party’s president.
However, due to party rules and procedures, Shehbaz Sharif has been nominated to serve as the acting president until the formal election of Nawaz Sharif.
These developments mark a significant moment for the PML-N as it seeks to navigate through its leadership transition.
The return of Nawaz Sharif to the party’s helm is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the party’s position ahead of the upcoming elections.
For Shehbaz Sharif, his decision to step down highlights his commitment to the party’s unity and the leadership of his elder brother.
His role as acting president ensures continuity within the party’s operations until the formal election of Nawaz Sharif.
The PML-N, one of Pakistan’s major political parties, faces various challenges, including legal battles and political rivalries.
The leadership of Nawaz Sharif, with his vast experience and political acumen, is expected to bring renewed vigor and direction to the party.
As the PML-N prepares for its General Council meeting on May 28, all eyes will be on the formal election of Nawaz Sharif as the party president.
This event is anticipated to be a major step in the party’s efforts to consolidate its leadership and strategize for future political engagements.
