Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has resigned as the president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), according to a report by Geo News on Monday. This move comes on the heels of an announcement by Rana Sanaullah, the president of the PML-N’s Punjab chapter, that party supremo Nawaz Sharif will assume leadership of the party.
The PML-N’s central committee is scheduled to convene on May 18 in Lahore at 11:30 am, with notices sent out to members under Article 15 of the party’s constitution by Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal. This meeting is expected to formalize the transition of power within the party.
Nawaz Sharif’s return to the helm of the PML-N marks a significant turnaround in his political fortunes. He was forced to step down as Prime Minister in 2017 after the Supreme Court disqualified him for life due to his failure to declare a receivable salary. The apex court dealt him another blow in 2018, disqualifying him as PML-N president in the Panama Papers case. The court’s verdict at the time stated that an individual disqualified under Articles 62 and 63 of the constitution cannot lead a political party.
However, in a recent development, the Supreme Court abolished bans on individuals with criminal charges from participating in elections on January 8, 2024. This ruling paved the way for Nawaz Sharif’s return to the forefront of Pakistani politics.
The implications of this power shift within the PML-N are far-reaching, with many speculating about the potential impact on the country’s political dynamics. As Nawaz Sharif prepares to take the reins of the party once again, all eyes will be on how he navigates the complex web of alliances and rivalries that define Pakistani politics.
