Islamabad: A new political debate as to who will be the next Prime Minister in the present scenario has gripped Pakistan. The apex court yesterday told President Mamnoon Hussain to take charge of the country’s affairs.
Being head of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party, Sharif still holds the power to nominate his successor.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif is one of the most trusted men of Sharif and according to speculations, he is considered mostly likely to succeed him. The former banker has held a series of key positions within the PML-N since 1991.
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Asif, a strong critic of the powerful military, has been elected to the National Assembly from his home district of Sialkot since 1993. His hardline stance against the army had created problems for Nawaz Sharif.
According to reports, the PML-N has planned to bring in an interim Prime Minister for a few weeks before electing Sharif’s younger brother Shahbaz Sharif — the Punjab Chief Minister — to the post.
The younger Sharif would have to step down from his current role and be elected to the National Assembly before being eligible for the top post. Shahbaz is considered more intelligent, but less charismatic than his older brother.
Close to Sharif
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker of the National Assembly, is another strong candidate for the top post.
He is said to be close to the Sharif family. Sadiq gained Sharif’s trust after he defeated Sharif’s main rival Imran Khan in a hotly-contested race for a Lahore seat in the 2013 general election.
Next in line is Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal. He hails from a political family that has long been associated with Sharif’s party.
Having previously served as Minister for Education and Minorities, he has also worked as Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission from 1998 to 1999 during Sharif’s second term.
Potential candidates:
Kalsoom Nawaz Sharif
A pro-Nawaz lobby is promoting the name of Kalsoom Nawaz in order to block the entry of Hamza Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif. She is the wife of outgoing PM Nawaz Sharif. She was the president of Pakistan Muslim League from 1999 till 2002.
Shahbaz Sharif
Nawaz Sharif’s brother, Shahbaz Sharif who is also the Punjab chief minister was also favoured by a second lobby within the ruling party for nomination as next Prime Minister. He is the only relative of Nawaz Sharif who has not yet been disqualified. It may be recalled that Shahbaz Sharif had the support of Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali who in a press conference on Thursday had already decided to resign after the Panama case decision.
Khawaja Asif
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who is currently in United States, is one of the most favourable candidates for the top position. The former banker has held key positions within the PML-N since 1991.
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq is a strong candidate for the next prime minister. The outgoing PM Sharif had shown preference for Khawaja Asif and Ayaz Sadiq, but since Sadiq is the National Assembly Speaker he would have to resign from his post in which case PML-N would have to elect a new Speaker.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi
Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is also another candidate for interim Prime Minister, political analysts say.
