PML-N to elect Shahbaz Sharif as its interim president today

LAHORE: The much-awaited meeting of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Central Working Committee will be held today to elect the party’s acting president. 

PML-N chairman Raja Zafarul Haq will preside over the CWC meeting at the Sharif family’s Model Town residence.

Shahbaz, who is the Punjab’s chief minister, is said to be a consensus choice for the top party position.

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has also 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 have greater say in party affairs even though the younger Sharif remains the party chief.

Shahbaz Sharif will be 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 a 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.

The post PML-N to elect Shahbaz Sharif as its interim president today appeared first on ARYNEWS.

from ARYNEWS http://ift.tt/2GO8tjs