ISLAMABAD: Finally, the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) has made a clear decision that Shahbaz Sharif will be its candidate for prime minister office if it wins majority in the next general elections.
It was no one other, but former prime minister, Shahid Khaqam Abbasi , who confirmed on Monday in his informal talk with media that Mian Shahbaz Sharif will be candidate for prime ministership in case PMLN wins upcoming general elections.
The general elections are due in Pakistan in 2023 when incumbent government of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) will complete its tenure, but the rising political temperature indicates that the government may call early elections with a hope that it may get more seats in case it goes for early elections.
PMLN seemed in confusion over its future line of action and leadership. The on-,going infighting in House of Sharif had made things murcrier. A divide among first tier party leaders was evident. One group considered Nawaz Sharif inevitable to keep the public popularity of the PMLN intact and the other group had arguement that Sharif Sharif could steer the party out of damning crisis as Nawaz Sharif was not acceptable to the military establishment. At one stage, at least half a dozen party leaders seemed presenting themselves as substitite to Nawaz Sharif if he after all was to stay out of national politics under some compulsion. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was one of those to be prime minister. Now his assertion declaring Shahbaz Sharif as a candidate of PMLN in case the party win the next general elections is something more than a mere statement. It has a big message for those who matter for issues of national importance. Nomination of Shahbaz Sharif also suggests that PMLN was ready to walk away from its policy of confrontation with the military establishment. It also suggests that Nawaz sharif may stay in United Kingdom
indefinately.
