Sources within the PML-N are claiming that Shahbaz Sharif will definitely not compete in the upcoming by-elections in NA-120, Lahore. This will also diminish the claims of him becoming the PM of the country.
Nawaz Sharif had been disqualified by the Supreme Court last month but in desperate attempts to keep his grip on the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party, Nawaz had planned to bring Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as interim prime minister until his brother, Shehbaz, becomes eligible to take over by winning the by-election.
There had been a lot of gossip in the local media over the party s decision to replace the former PM with his younger brother, Shehbaz, following Nawaz’s dismissal.
But Sharif and PML-N leadership have decided that Shehbaz should continue in his role as chief minister of the politically vital Punjab province that accounts for more than half of Pakistan s 190 million people.
“Shehbaz will definitely not contest for NA 120,” said one of Shehbaz s aides in Lahore, referring to the National Assembly seat left available by Nawaz.
A senior PML-N figure in Lahore established that the chief minister would not be contesting the seat, a move likely to leave Abbasi in power until the next general elections, likely to be held in mid-2018.
PML-N officials say the main reason why Shehbaz may not take over is linked to the general elections and the party s fears that its grip on the vital Punjab province will weaken if he steps down as chief minister.