Pakistan will hold general elections on July 25, a presidential spokesman said Saturday, offering the prospect of what would be only the second ever democratic transfer of power in the nuclear-armed country.

"The president has approved July 25 as the date for holding general elections in the country," a spokesman from Mamnoon Hussain's office told AFP.

The announcement comes as the current government enters its final week in office. It is expected to hand over power to a caretaker administration in the coming days.

Turmoil continues to rock the country after former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was ousted by the Supreme Court last July on corruption charges and later barred from politics for life.

Sharif was the 15th prime minister in Pakistan's seven-decade history -- roughly half of it under military rule -- to be removed before completing a full term.

After Sharif was ousted from power, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi of Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party (PML-N) took over the premiership.

Pakistan completed its first ever democratic transfer of power following elections in 2013, when the government headed by the Pakistan People's Party handed over to the PML-N, following a landslide victory.

"This is the second consecutive parliament to complete its tenure and we are now looking forward to go to the people to get their verdict on our performance," Finance Minister Miftah Ismail told AFP.

Increasing pressure

The general elections are expected to pit the PML-N against its main rival, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party led by former cricket star Imran Khan.

PTI is vowing to clean up the country’s rampant corruption, while investing in education and healthcare as Khan inches closer to his years-long dream of leading the country as prime minister.

With Sharif out, the PML-N continue to boast of their investment in the country’s rickety infrastructure and courting billions of dollars in Chinese investment.

Since he was ousted, Sharif and the PML-N have become increasingly vocal in their confrontation with the country’s military establishment and courts, claiming they are victims of a conspiracy to reduce the power of their party.

Despite the numerous court rulings against the PML-N, the party has won a string of recent by-elections proving it will likely remain a powerful force.

The PML-N continues to enjoy large swathes of support in the country's most populous Punjab province, but will enter the election under increasing pressure.&nbsp

In April, a Pakistan court disqualified Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif for violating the country's election laws, while interior minister Ahsan Iqbal was shot in the arm in a suspected assassination attempt in early May by an Islamist gunman.&nbsp

Sharif also sparked a firestorm earlier this month after suggesting Pakistani militants were behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks, approaching what is seen as a red line in the country by touching on criticism of Pakistan's armed forces.

There have been increasing fears that media outlets are under heavy pressure from the security establishment heading into the elections, spurring accusations of self censorship by Pakistan's leading television news broadcasters. &nbsp

Pakistan will hold general elections on July 25, a presidential spokesman said Saturday, offering the prospect of what would be only the second ever democratic transfer of power in the nuclear-armed country

Pakistan will hold general elections on July 25, a presidential spokesman said Saturday, offering the prospect of what would be only the second ever democratic transfer of power in the nuclear-armed country. "The president has approved July 25 as the date for holding general elections in the country," a spokesman from Mamnoon Hussain's office told AFP. The announcement comes as the current government enters its final week in office. It is expected to hand over power to a caretaker administration in the coming days. Turmoil continues to rock the country after former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was ousted by the Supreme Court last July on corruption charges and later barred from politics for life. Sharif was the 15th prime minister in Pakistan's seven-decade history -- roughly half of it under military rule -- to be removed before completing a full term. After Sharif was ousted from power, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi of Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party (PML-N) took over the premiership. Pakistan completed its first ever democratic transfer of power following elections in 2013, when the government headed by the Pakistan People's Party handed over to the PML-N, following a landslide victory. "This is the second consecutive parliament to complete its tenure and we are now looking forward to go to the people to get their verdict on our performance," Finance Minister Miftah Ismail told AFP. Increasing pressure The general elections are expected to pit the PML-N against its main rival, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party led by former cricket star Imran Khan. PTI is vowing to clean up the country’s rampant corruption, while investing in education and healthcare as Khan inches closer to his years-long dream of leading the country as prime minister. With Sharif out, the PML-N continue to boast of their investment in the country’s rickety infrastructure and courting billions of dollars in Chinese investment. Since he was ousted, Sharif and the PML-N have become increasingly vocal in their confrontation with the country’s military establishment and courts, claiming they are victims of a conspiracy to reduce the power of their party. Despite the numerous court rulings against the PML-N, the party has won a string of recent by-elections proving it will likely remain a powerful force. The PML-N continues to enjoy large swathes of support in the country's most populous Punjab province, but will enter the election under increasing pressure. In April, a Pakistan court disqualified Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif for violating the country's election laws, while interior minister Ahsan Iqbal was shot in the arm in a suspected assassination attempt in early May by an Islamist gunman. Sharif also sparked a firestorm earlier this month after suggesting Pakistani militants were behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks, approaching what is seen as a red line in the country by touching on criticism of Pakistan's armed forces. There have been increasing fears that media outlets are under heavy pressure from the security establishment heading into the elections, spurring accusations of self censorship by Pakistan's leading television news broadcasters.

Pakistan announces general elections on July 25

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government has accepted the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) pre-condition to let the Pakistani rupee depreciate by over four per cent to qualify for any fresh bailout package needed to avoid a default-like situation.

Notwithstanding Adviser on Finance Miftah Ismail`s statement that the government is not seeking any IMF assistance, the latter is said to have been obliged to steer through highly difficult 2017-18 and 2018-19 financial years respectively.

The PML-N government is likely to take up the issue of new IMF financing in April during World Bank-IMF spring meetings in Washington DC, in lieu of the worsening Balance of Payments (BOP). According to Ismail, he does not foresee any further downward readjustment of the currency in the near future.

However, officials of State Bank of Pakistan, the central bank of the country and the Ministry of Finance have maintained that lobbyists at home and abroad are working to persuade the authorities to go for another depreciation, not before June. Sources described it as a 'panic situation' in the Ministry of Finance and the word 'bottom line' is being used for seeking an emergency $6-7 billion in IMF assistance, in order to make timely repayments and tackle the looming balance of payments crisis, The Express Tribune reported. In the absence of any credible economic team, two finance ministry officials, Talib Balouch and Khaqan Najeeb, have suggested two options.

While Talib is calling for the seeking IMF assistance to ward off the impending balance of payments crisis, Khaqan suggests acquiring commercial loans continuously at a high markup. Since the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have linked their annual assistance to the IMF's signal, seeking commercial loans, particularly from China and Chinese commercial banks, are seen a viable option to manage external inflows.

A total of $1.3 billion in commercial borrowing had been obtained in the last few months, which also included $900 million in just one quarter. Successive secretaries of the Ministry of Finance and governors of State Bank of Pakistan are being held responsible for having created the current economic mess due to which the fiscal and current account deficits have increased disproportionately, causing new difficulties for the country.

Meanwhile, uncertainty over the economic situation in Pakistan has grown following the release of post-programme monitoring report by the IMF that believes risks to macroeconomic stability are increasing and widening fiscal and external deficits could land the country into new trouble. The timing of the report has been termed "intriguing" by independent economists as it eroded investors' confidence.

Experts have said that the IMF officials were 'partners in crime' as they had been waiving things by giving a clean bill of health to the Pakistani economy during the three-year $6.67 billion Extended Fund Facility that ended in September 2016.

The report pointed out serious risks that they believe of IMF officials surfaced after the completion of the programme. In fact, experts are suggesting that as long as the IMF programme continued, Pakistan's economy will keep on collapsing.

The PML-N government will complete its five-year term by early June this year. By at that time, external debt and liabilities would have crossed the $ 100 billion mark, which also includes the $2.5 billion added by the latest depreciation of the Pakistani rupee. The Pakistan government plans to have its revenue collection target fixed at 4.5 trillion Pakistani rupees for the financial year 2018-19.

Furthermore, the country will be forced to go for a strict stabilisation policy in the name of "austerity". But there is a growing consensus that the so-called stabilisation has caused problems to the economy's growth.&nbsp;

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government has accepted the International Monetary Fund`s (IMF) pre-condition to let the Pakistani rupee depreciate by over four per cent to qualify for any fresh bailout package needed to avoid a default-like situation

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government has accepted the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) pre-condition to let the Pakistani rupee depreciate by over four per cent to qualify for any fresh bailout package needed to avoid a default-like situation. Notwithstanding Adviser on Finance Miftah Ismail`s statement that the government is not seeking any IMF assistance, the latter is said to have been obliged to steer through highly difficult 2017-18 and 2018-19 financial years respectively. The PML-N government is likely to take up the issue of new IMF financing in April during World Bank-IMF spring meetings in Washington DC, in lieu of the worsening Balance of Payments (BOP). According to Ismail, he does not foresee any further downward readjustment of the currency in the near future. However, officials of State Bank of Pakistan, the central bank of the country and the Ministry of Finance have maintained that lobbyists at home and abroad are working to persuade the authorities to go for another depreciation, not before June. Sources described it as a 'panic situation' in the Ministry of Finance and the word 'bottom line' is being used for seeking an emergency $6-7 billion in IMF assistance, in order to make timely repayments and tackle the looming balance of payments crisis, The Express Tribune reported. In the absence of any credible economic team, two finance ministry officials, Talib Balouch and Khaqan Najeeb, have suggested two options. While Talib is calling for the seeking IMF assistance to ward off the impending balance of payments crisis, Khaqan suggests acquiring commercial loans continuously at a high markup. Since the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have linked their annual assistance to the IMF's signal, seeking commercial loans, particularly from China and Chinese commercial banks, are seen a viable option to manage external inflows. A total of $1.3 billion in commercial borrowing had been obtained in the last few months, which also included $900 million in just one quarter. Successive secretaries of the Ministry of Finance and governors of State Bank of Pakistan are being held responsible for having created the current economic mess due to which the fiscal and current account deficits have increased disproportionately, causing new difficulties for the country. Meanwhile, uncertainty over the economic situation in Pakistan has grown following the release of post-programme monitoring report by the IMF that believes risks to macroeconomic stability are increasing and widening fiscal and external deficits could land the country into new trouble. The timing of the report has been termed "intriguing" by independent economists as it eroded investors' confidence. Experts have said that the IMF officials were 'partners in crime' as they had been waiving things by giving a clean bill of health to the Pakistani economy during the three-year $6.67 billion Extended Fund Facility that ended in September 2016. The report pointed out serious risks that they believe of IMF officials surfaced after the completion of the programme. In fact, experts are suggesting that as long as the IMF programme continued, Pakistan's economy will keep on collapsing. The PML-N government will complete its five-year term by early June this year. By at that time, external debt and liabilities would have crossed the $ 100 billion mark, which also includes the $2.5 billion added by the latest depreciation of the Pakistani rupee. The Pakistan government plans to have its revenue collection target fixed at 4.5 trillion Pakistani rupees for the financial year 2018-19. Furthermore, the country will be forced to go for a strict stabilisation policy in the name of "austerity". But there is a growing consensus that the so-called stabilisation has caused problems to the economy's growth.

Pakistan's balance of payments worsens, likely to approach IMF next month

Pakistan Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal has said that Pakistan would be the &#39;industrial hub&#39; of the entire South Asian region soon, after the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project is built.

In an interview with a private television channel, Iqbal said that the CPEC project would help to improve drastically in social infrastructure, industrial cooperation, agriculture, energy and other key sectors, adding that it would help to create millions of job opportunities for the Pakistani youth&nbsp;

The minister said in 2013 when the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) came in to power, the country was facing many challenges, including terrorism, energy shortfall, and deteriorating law and order situation. The government with its effective policies, reduced terrorist acts, overcame energy shortage and improved the law and order situation.

&quot;Some 11,500-megawatt electricity was added to the national grid during the last four years. About USD 35 billion has been spent in the energy sector only and there was not even a single penny of loan included in it, rather it was investment under the CPEC,&quot; Iqbal asserted.

The Pakistani leader further said that the USD 62 billion economic corridor was launched after &#39;comprehensive consultation and consensus&#39; from all political parties which is a combination of uilding roads, rails, power plants and economic free zones in Pakistan. He also termed the CPEC project as a &#39;gamechanger&#39; for the country&#39;s economy as well.

He said that Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan would become the &#39;gateways&#39; for the economic corridor and trade zones would be set up at all provinces in Pakistan.

He added that Chinese and Pakistani companies would make large-scale investment in the trade zones, which would not only create new jobs for the citizens but also help to transfer &#39;new technology to Pakistan&#39;.

Last week, Iqbal had said that complete development og Gwadar will make Pakistan a hub of regional trade. He further announced that &nbsp;a genuine programme was initiated to mine coal from Thar, and first coal-based power project in the area which will become operational by the end of this year. He said Thar coal is enough to generate five thousand megawatts of electricity for four hundred years.

Further, he talked about the level of improvement in Balochistan and measures the Government had tajen to address the conditions in the state.&nbsp;

India is against the CPEC project since it passes through the disputed Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) region.&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI) 
&nbsp;

Iqbal said that the CPEC project would help to improve drastically in social infrastructure, industrial cooperation, agriculture, energy and other key sectors

Pakistan Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal has said that Pakistan would be the 'industrial hub' of the entire South Asian region soon, after the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project is built. In an interview with a private television channel, Iqbal said that the CPEC project would help to improve drastically in social infrastructure, industrial cooperation, agriculture, energy and other key sectors, adding that it would help to create millions of job opportunities for the Pakistani youth The minister said in 2013 when the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) came in to power, the country was facing many challenges, including terrorism, energy shortfall, and deteriorating law and order situation. The government with its effective policies, reduced terrorist acts, overcame energy shortage and improved the law and order situation. "Some 11,500-megawatt electricity was added to the national grid during the last four years. About USD 35 billion has been spent in the energy sector only and there was not even a single penny of loan included in it, rather it was investment under the CPEC," Iqbal asserted. The Pakistani leader further said that the USD 62 billion economic corridor was launched after 'comprehensive consultation and consensus' from all political parties which is a combination of uilding roads, rails, power plants and economic free zones in Pakistan. He also termed the CPEC project as a 'gamechanger' for the country's economy as well. He said that Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan would become the 'gateways' for the economic corridor and trade zones would be set up at all provinces in Pakistan. He added that Chinese and Pakistani companies would make large-scale investment in the trade zones, which would not only create new jobs for the citizens but also help to transfer 'new technology to Pakistan'. Last week, Iqbal had said that complete development og Gwadar will make Pakistan a hub of regional trade. He further announced that a genuine programme was initiated to mine coal from Thar, and first coal-based power project in the area which will become operational by the end of this year. He said Thar coal is enough to generate five thousand megawatts of electricity for four hundred years. Further, he talked about the level of improvement in Balochistan and measures the Government had tajen to address the conditions in the state. India is against the CPEC project since it passes through the disputed Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) region. (With inputs from ANI)

Pakistan to be 'industrial hub' of South Asia after CPEC project: Pak Interior Minister

Punjab Province Chief Minister and former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif`s brother Shehbaz Sharif has been elected as the new chairperson of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) by the party`s general council.

Shehbaz had contested for the party seat unopposed. The general council meeting was scheduled to be held last week. However, it had to be postponed after he was unwell, The Express Tribune reported.

After this, the decision of Shehbaz`s election would be sent to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for listing him as the new PML-N president.&nbsp;

The PML-N on February 27 appointed Shehbaz as its acting president while Nawaz Sharif was named the party`s &quot;Quaid (leader) for life.&quot;&nbsp;

According to Geo News, Shehbaz, who is said to be a consensus choice for the top party position, will become the permanent president after intra-party elections are held within 45 days.&nbsp;

The development comes after Pakistan`s Supreme Court disqualified Nawaz Sharif from the post of PML-N party chief last month, saying all decisions made by him &quot;now stand null and void.&quot;&nbsp;

Shehbaz had contested for the party seat unopposed

Punjab Province Chief Minister and former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif`s brother Shehbaz Sharif has been elected as the new chairperson of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) by the party`s general council. Shehbaz had contested for the party seat unopposed. The general council meeting was scheduled to be held last week. However, it had to be postponed after he was unwell, The Express Tribune reported. After this, the decision of Shehbaz`s election would be sent to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for listing him as the new PML-N president. The PML-N on February 27 appointed Shehbaz as its acting president while Nawaz Sharif was named the party`s "Quaid (leader) for life." According to Geo News, Shehbaz, who is said to be a consensus choice for the top party position, will become the permanent president after intra-party elections are held within 45 days. The development comes after Pakistan`s Supreme Court disqualified Nawaz Sharif from the post of PML-N party chief last month, saying all decisions made by him "now stand null and void."

Shehbaz Sharif elected new PML-N chairperson

Shahbaz Sharif was unanimously elected as interim president of Pakistan&#39;s ruling PML-N today while his elder brother and ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif was made the beleaguered party&#39;s &#39;Quaid&#39; (top leader) for life time.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) elected its new head days after the Supreme Court disqualified 68-year-old Nawaz as the chief of his party and struck down all decisions taken by him as the party head.

Shahbaz, the 66-year-old chief minister of Punjab province, has been elected as the party&#39;s president for 45 days by its central working committee (CWC) in a meeting held in Sharif&#39;s Model Town Lahore residence today.

In the meeting, Nawaz proposed the name of Shahbaz for the party&#39;s interim president which was unanimously approved by the CWC.

The meeting also approved making Nawaz PML-N &quot;Quaid&quot; (top leader) for life time and also paid tributes to his service for the party, country and democracy.

&quot;PML-N elects Nawaz as its Quaid for life. Raja Zafarul Haq, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif&#39;s proposal elicited a resounding approval from the CWC,&quot; Nawaz&#39;s daughter Maryam tweeted.

PML-N&#39;s information secretary Senator Mushahidullah Khan told PTI there was no candidate for the slot of interim president of PML-N other than Shahbaz Sharif.

&quot;Nawaz proposed Shahbaz&#39;s name for the party&#39;s interim president and all more than 100 CWC members approved his name unanimously. Shahbaz will continue as the party&#39;s full-time president after the general council elects him in a meeting in Islamabad next month,&quot; he said.

Under the party&#39;s rules, the PML-N&#39;s CWC is supposed to elect an acting party head within a week of its chief&#39;s removal. Then the party&#39;s general council is required to elect a president within 45 days. Nawaz was removed from the post of PML-N president by the apex court on February 22.

After becoming the party president, Shahbaz praised his elder brother for making the PML-N the country&#39;s most popular political force. &quot;I will try my best to come up to the expectations of my party after assuming this responsibility,&quot; he said.

Nawaz has already nominated Shahbaz for the prime minister candidate if PML-N wins this year&#39;s general elections.

He had finalised his younger brother&#39;s nomination for the slot of party president after consulting his wife Kulsoom, daughter Maryam, defunct finance minister Ishaq Dar, former information minister Senator Pervaiz Rashid and a few others.

&quot;Begum Kulsoom would have been the best choice to succeed Nawaz Sharif but since she is not well and is recovering from throat cancer (lymphoma) in London, Shahbaz Sharif has become the ultimate choice although some close to Nawaz have reservations (about him). Maryam&#39;s name was not considered for the slot as she is too young to handle the party at this stage,&quot; a PML-N leader said.

Nawaz was disqualified as the prime minister by the apex court in the Panama Papers case in July last year under Article 62 for failing to declare a receivable salary as an asset.

After his disqualification as prime minister, the ruling PML-N amended the Constitution to allow him to retain his chairmanship of the party.

However, the apex court last week ruled that it is mandatory for a party chief to fulfil the requirements of Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution as a party head is powerful and political parties control the government.

It also said that a person who is disqualified under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution is not eligible to sign on any document needed to nominate someone to the National Assembly or Senate.

The apex court&#39;s verdict was in response to 17 petitions challenging the controversial Elections Act 2017, which had been bulldozed through parliament last year to pave the way for Nawaz&#39;s return to the PML-N&#39;s helm as party president.&nbsp;

He was unanimously elected as party's interim president

Shahbaz Sharif was unanimously elected as interim president of Pakistan's ruling PML-N today while his elder brother and ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif was made the beleaguered party's 'Quaid' (top leader) for life time. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) elected its new head days after the Supreme Court disqualified 68-year-old Nawaz as the chief of his party and struck down all decisions taken by him as the party head. Shahbaz, the 66-year-old chief minister of Punjab province, has been elected as the party's president for 45 days by its central working committee (CWC) in a meeting held in Sharif's Model Town Lahore residence today. In the meeting, Nawaz proposed the name of Shahbaz for the party's interim president which was unanimously approved by the CWC. The meeting also approved making Nawaz PML-N "Quaid" (top leader) for life time and also paid tributes to his service for the party, country and democracy. "PML-N elects Nawaz as its Quaid for life. Raja Zafarul Haq, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif's proposal elicited a resounding approval from the CWC," Nawaz's daughter Maryam tweeted. PML-N's information secretary Senator Mushahidullah Khan told PTI there was no candidate for the slot of interim president of PML-N other than Shahbaz Sharif. "Nawaz proposed Shahbaz's name for the party's interim president and all more than 100 CWC members approved his name unanimously. Shahbaz will continue as the party's full-time president after the general council elects him in a meeting in Islamabad next month," he said. Under the party's rules, the PML-N's CWC is supposed to elect an acting party head within a week of its chief's removal. Then the party's general council is required to elect a president within 45 days. Nawaz was removed from the post of PML-N president by the apex court on February 22. After becoming the party president, Shahbaz praised his elder brother for making the PML-N the country's most popular political force. "I will try my best to come up to the expectations of my party after assuming this responsibility," he said. Nawaz has already nominated Shahbaz for the prime minister candidate if PML-N wins this year's general elections. He had finalised his younger brother's nomination for the slot of party president after consulting his wife Kulsoom, daughter Maryam, defunct finance minister Ishaq Dar, former information minister Senator Pervaiz Rashid and a few others. "Begum Kulsoom would have been the best choice to succeed Nawaz Sharif but since she is not well and is recovering from throat cancer (lymphoma) in London, Shahbaz Sharif has become the ultimate choice although some close to Nawaz have reservations (about him). Maryam's name was not considered for the slot as she is too young to handle the party at this stage," a PML-N leader said. Nawaz was disqualified as the prime minister by the apex court in the Panama Papers case in July last year under Article 62 for failing to declare a receivable salary as an asset. After his disqualification as prime minister, the ruling PML-N amended the Constitution to allow him to retain his chairmanship of the party. However, the apex court last week ruled that it is mandatory for a party chief to fulfil the requirements of Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution as a party head is powerful and political parties control the government. It also said that a person who is disqualified under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution is not eligible to sign on any document needed to nominate someone to the National Assembly or Senate. The apex court's verdict was in response to 17 petitions challenging the controversial Elections Act 2017, which had been bulldozed through parliament last year to pave the way for Nawaz's return to the PML-N's helm as party president.

Shahbaz Sharif becomes interim chief of ruling PML-N

In a major blow to ousted <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-court-indicts-nawaz-sharif-family-in-london-flats-case-22624">PM Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan Supreme Court</a> said today that a person disqualified under Articles 62 and 63 cannot serve as party chief.

The Pakistan <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-senate-adopts-resolution-against-ousted-pm-nawaz-sharif-21316">Supreme Court had disqualified</a> the PML-N chief from the prime minister&#39;s post in July last year after a probe panel alleged his family could not account for its wealth.&nbsp;

Sharif later moved petitions challenging the corruption allegation in the Panama Papers scandal which was rejected by the top court.

The Elections Act 2017 was moved in both houses of Parliament in Pakistan last year in an attempt to allow&nbsp;Nawaz Sharif to continue as PML-N chief.

PML-N quickly nominated Sharif as the party head just hours after Parliament amended the law to allow Sharif re-elected as party chief, however, the Supreme Court today virtually rejected the move.

Justice Nisar who was part of the three-judge panel said in Pakistan&#39;s political setup, political parties are personality driven.

The previous election bill barred from office someone disqualified under Article 62 and 63 of the Constitution, which was used by the courts to remove Sharif.&nbsp;

Experts and PML-N party members who have keenly followed the events over the past months are now awaiting Sharif&#39;s next move.

The Elections Act 2017 was moved in both houses of Parliament in Pakistan last year in an attempt to allow Nawaz Sharif to continue as PML-N chief.

In a major blow to ousted PM Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan Supreme Court said today that a person disqualified under Articles 62 and 63 cannot serve as party chief. The Pakistan Supreme Court had disqualified the PML-N chief from the prime minister's post in July last year after a probe panel alleged his family could not account for its wealth. Sharif later moved petitions challenging the corruption allegation in the Panama Papers scandal which was rejected by the top court. The Elections Act 2017 was moved in both houses of Parliament in Pakistan last year in an attempt to allow Nawaz Sharif to continue as PML-N chief. PML-N quickly nominated Sharif as the party head just hours after Parliament amended the law to allow Sharif re-elected as party chief, however, the Supreme Court today virtually rejected the move. Justice Nisar who was part of the three-judge panel said in Pakistan's political setup, political parties are personality driven. The previous election bill barred from office someone disqualified under Article 62 and 63 of the Constitution, which was used by the courts to remove Sharif. Experts and PML-N party members who have keenly followed the events over the past months are now awaiting Sharif's next move.

Person disqualified under Articles 62 and 63 cannot serve as party chief: Pak Supreme Court on ousted PM Sharif

Pakistan will try to privatise its national airline before general elections due this year, privatisation minister Daniyal Aziz said, as the ruling party seeks to restart sales of state-run businesses.

Pakistan International Airlines(PIA), haemorrhaging money and losing market share to Gulf-based rivals such as Etihad and Emirates, has been hit by management turmoil in recent years and a 2016 plane crash that led to 47 deaths.

The privatisation of loss-making entities that were draining the exchequer was a key priority for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party when it swept to power in 2013.

PIA was among 68 state-owned companies earmarked for privatisation in return for a $6.7 billion International Monetary Fund package that helped Pakistan to stave off a default in 2013.

Despite some initial success, the process stalled in 2016 after staff protests caused havoc with PIA operations and the government passed a law that effectively made it impossible to privatise the airline.

But Aziz, chairman of the Privatisation Commission, told Reuters that new plans have been drawn up to sell off PIA and he would take the proposals to the cabinet committee on privatisation, chaired by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

&quot;Next step would be going to the cabinet committee ... and that&#39;s imminent, maybe even next week,&quot; Aziz said in his Islamabad office this week.

The new plans focus on splitting up the carrier, with the core airline business being separated from vast peripheral operations such as catering, hotels and maintenance, Aziz said. The core airline would then be sold.

Heavy losses

But to complete the transaction, Aziz said, the government would have to pass laws in parliament to reverse the 2016 legislation that converted PIA into a limited company and effectively barred the government from giving up management control.

The impetus to sell PIA has grown as the airline has piled up huge losses estimated by its former CEO in March at about $30 million a month. Total debt stood at 186 billion rupees ($1.8 billion) at the end of 2016.

When asked how soon could a buyer could acquire PIA, Aziz said: &quot;Tomorrow morning. If you have the money, come and buy it.&quot;

Aziz gave no indication of an expected valuation.

Both Emirates and Etihad had shown interest in buying PIA before the government backed down from privatisation in 2016, the English-language Express Tribune newspaper reported, citing an unnamed official.

Analysts have been sceptical about the government&#39;s ability, or willingness, to take on powerful unions and embark on a privatisation process so close to general elections likely in July or August.

Aziz said that owing to time restraints ahead of the elections, the privatisation commission will focus on one state company per sector, including a bank and an energy company.

He added that there has been &quot;huge interest&quot; in buying Pakistan Steel Mills, once the pride of Pakistan&#39;s industrial output but now shut and bleeding cash.

&quot;We will get runs on the board, but the real challenge is to bring to fruition the two big animals: one is PIA and the other one is Steel Mills,&quot; Aziz said.

The privatisation of loss-making entities that were draining the exchequer was a key priority for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party when it swept to power in 2013.

Pakistan will try to privatise its national airline before general elections due this year, privatisation minister Daniyal Aziz said, as the ruling party seeks to restart sales of state-run businesses. Pakistan International Airlines(PIA), haemorrhaging money and losing market share to Gulf-based rivals such as Etihad and Emirates, has been hit by management turmoil in recent years and a 2016 plane crash that led to 47 deaths. The privatisation of loss-making entities that were draining the exchequer was a key priority for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party when it swept to power in 2013. PIA was among 68 state-owned companies earmarked for privatisation in return for a $6.7 billion International Monetary Fund package that helped Pakistan to stave off a default in 2013. Despite some initial success, the process stalled in 2016 after staff protests caused havoc with PIA operations and the government passed a law that effectively made it impossible to privatise the airline. But Aziz, chairman of the Privatisation Commission, told Reuters that new plans have been drawn up to sell off PIA and he would take the proposals to the cabinet committee on privatisation, chaired by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. "Next step would be going to the cabinet committee ... and that's imminent, maybe even next week," Aziz said in his Islamabad office this week. The new plans focus on splitting up the carrier, with the core airline business being separated from vast peripheral operations such as catering, hotels and maintenance, Aziz said. The core airline would then be sold. Heavy losses But to complete the transaction, Aziz said, the government would have to pass laws in parliament to reverse the 2016 legislation that converted PIA into a limited company and effectively barred the government from giving up management control. The impetus to sell PIA has grown as the airline has piled up huge losses estimated by its former CEO in March at about $30 million a month. Total debt stood at 186 billion rupees ($1.8 billion) at the end of 2016. When asked how soon could a buyer could acquire PIA, Aziz said: "Tomorrow morning. If you have the money, come and buy it." Aziz gave no indication of an expected valuation. Both Emirates and Etihad had shown interest in buying PIA before the government backed down from privatisation in 2016, the English-language Express Tribune newspaper reported, citing an unnamed official. Analysts have been sceptical about the government's ability, or willingness, to take on powerful unions and embark on a privatisation process so close to general elections likely in July or August. Aziz said that owing to time restraints ahead of the elections, the privatisation commission will focus on one state company per sector, including a bank and an energy company. He added that there has been "huge interest" in buying Pakistan Steel Mills, once the pride of Pakistan's industrial output but now shut and bleeding cash. "We will get runs on the board, but the real challenge is to bring to fruition the two big animals: one is PIA and the other one is Steel Mills," Aziz said.

Pakistan aims to sell national airline PIA before election

The Lahore High Court on Wednesday ordered the release of Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, who has been under house arrest since January this year. 
&nbsp; 
During the nine months of his detention, the Pakistani government&rsquo;s efforts at pursuing the case were at best lacklustre and seemed more cosmetic than anything, just like his house arrest during which he continued with his activities, and ran his charity organisation which many believe acts as a front and a reincarnation of the Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The JuD chief even managed to launch a political party by the name of Milli Muslim League (MML), but I will come back to that later. First, more on the court case. 
&nbsp; 
The judges hearing the petition &ndash; filed by Hafiz Saeed&rsquo;s lawyer who pleaded that there was no justification for Saeed&rsquo;s arrest &ndash; repeatedly asked the government&#39;s representatives, prosecutors, and law enforcement officials to present evidence that would ensure Saeed&#39;s continued captivity but the federal and provincial authorities failed to satisfy the courts. 
&nbsp; 
Does the government have this evidence? From what we know, India claims to have provided enough evidence against Hafiz Saeed for his involvement in the Mumbai attacks of 2008, which left 166 people dead.

Even the United States of America has put him on the Global Terrorist List.

However, in Pakistan, Indian claims are rejected outright while American labelling is also seen as India managing to convince the US through successful propaganda and nothing more. 
&nbsp; 
But there is another side to why the government has not pursued this case as it should have &ndash; its hands are tied by a powerful military establishment that does not want to share intelligence with its civilian counterparts.

In Pakistan, it is the military agencies that are thought to be responsible for domestic security affairs, especially when they concern&nbsp;intelligence gathering about a group like the JuD that has involvements in regional conflicts and affects Pakistan&rsquo;s foreign policy (which is also controlled by the establishment). 
&nbsp; 
But the military has even larger goals for the JuD &ndash; the MML (which I had mentioned earlier).&nbsp;

A few months ago, when the MML was being formed, a recently retired military general confided to the media that there was a plan by the Pakistan Army to mainstream militant groups into politics. While the idea was initially pushed with the clarification that this was the only way to de-radicalise such groups, it now seems the motives of the architects of the plan are quite different. 
&nbsp; 
The general elections in Pakistan are near and Nawaz Sharif has been on the warpath with the Pakistan Army ever since he was disqualified over the Panama Papers allegations.&nbsp;

Sharif alleges the military engineered his ouster and that there was no fair trial, and many agree with him.&nbsp;

Given that Sharif has been the one who is a big proponent of normalising relations with India, experts say the army does not want this, since no-conflict-with-India will reduce the relevance the military enjoys as the defender of Pakistan from a perceived Indian threat.

And so to stop Sharif&rsquo;s party &ndash; the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) &ndash; from being re-elected, the MML has been launched. The MML shares a voter-base with PML-N and will definitely dent its vote bank.&nbsp;

We saw an example of this in the recent Lahore city by-elections in NA-120, the seat where Sharif was disqualified from. The MML&#39;s performance was exceptional, and PML-N&#39;s Kulsoom Nawaz, Sharif&#39;s wife, did not win by the same percentage margin that Sharif did the last time. 
&nbsp; 
For now there are indications that the provincial government will make an attempt at issuing fresh orders of detention for Saeed but even if they manage to contain him, it is only a matter of time before the next order of freedom comes because there are power centres in the country that are more powerful than the civilian government. And if those powers want him out, no one can stop him from being a free man. 
&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

The judges have repeatedly asked the government for evidence to ensure Saeed's continued captivity but the authorities has been unable to satisfy the courts

The Lahore High Court on Wednesday ordered the release of Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, who has been under house arrest since January this year. During the nine months of his detention, the Pakistani government’s efforts at pursuing the case were at best lacklustre and seemed more cosmetic than anything, just like his house arrest during which he continued with his activities, and ran his charity organisation which many believe acts as a front and a reincarnation of the Lashkar-e-Taiba. The JuD chief even managed to launch a political party by the name of Milli Muslim League (MML), but I will come back to that later. First, more on the court case. The judges hearing the petition – filed by Hafiz Saeed’s lawyer who pleaded that there was no justification for Saeed’s arrest – repeatedly asked the government's representatives, prosecutors, and law enforcement officials to present evidence that would ensure Saeed's continued captivity but the federal and provincial authorities failed to satisfy the courts. Does the government have this evidence? From what we know, India claims to have provided enough evidence against Hafiz Saeed for his involvement in the Mumbai attacks of 2008, which left 166 people dead. Even the United States of America has put him on the Global Terrorist List. However, in Pakistan, Indian claims are rejected outright while American labelling is also seen as India managing to convince the US through successful propaganda and nothing more. But there is another side to why the government has not pursued this case as it should have – its hands are tied by a powerful military establishment that does not want to share intelligence with its civilian counterparts. In Pakistan, it is the military agencies that are thought to be responsible for domestic security affairs, especially when they concern intelligence gathering about a group like the JuD that has involvements in regional conflicts and affects Pakistan’s foreign policy (which is also controlled by the establishment). But the military has even larger goals for the JuD – the MML (which I had mentioned earlier). A few months ago, when the MML was being formed, a recently retired military general confided to the media that there was a plan by the Pakistan Army to mainstream militant groups into politics. While the idea was initially pushed with the clarification that this was the only way to de-radicalise such groups, it now seems the motives of the architects of the plan are quite different. The general elections in Pakistan are near and Nawaz Sharif has been on the warpath with the Pakistan Army ever since he was disqualified over the Panama Papers allegations. Sharif alleges the military engineered his ouster and that there was no fair trial, and many agree with him. Given that Sharif has been the one who is a big proponent of normalising relations with India, experts say the army does not want this, since no-conflict-with-India will reduce the relevance the military enjoys as the defender of Pakistan from a perceived Indian threat. And so to stop Sharif’s party – the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) – from being re-elected, the MML has been launched. The MML shares a voter-base with PML-N and will definitely dent its vote bank. We saw an example of this in the recent Lahore city by-elections in NA-120, the seat where Sharif was disqualified from. The MML's performance was exceptional, and PML-N's Kulsoom Nawaz, Sharif's wife, did not win by the same percentage margin that Sharif did the last time. For now there are indications that the provincial government will make an attempt at issuing fresh orders of detention for Saeed but even if they manage to contain him, it is only a matter of time before the next order of freedom comes because there are power centres in the country that are more powerful than the civilian government. And if those powers want him out, no one can stop him from being a free man. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: If Pakistan Army wants, Hafiz Saeed will be a free man

Pakistan&#39;s Senate today passed a resolution against a person holding a party post after being disqualified from public office, a move aimed against ousted prime minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-ruling-party-nominates-ousted-pm-sharif-to-lead-it-20935" target="_blank">Nawaz Sharif&#39;s re-election as the chief of the ruling PML-N.</a>

The resolution, presented by Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Aitzaz Ahsan, stated that a person who is not eligible to become a member of the parliament or has been disqualified cannot lead any political party.

The Senate or the upper house of the parliament passed the resolution with 52 senators voting in its favor and 28 voting against it.

The step was taken against <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-nawaz-sharifs-party-set-to-elect-him-chief-20911" target="_blank">the approval given to Sharif to head the ruling party</a> after amendments were made to the Elections Bill, 2017.

Sharif, 67, had to step down as PML-N chief after he was disqualified as the prime minister by<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-supreme-court-to-rule-on-fate-of-pm-nawaz-sharif-18334" target="_blank"> the Supreme Court on July 28 in the Panama Papers scandal.</a>

The PML-N took full advantage of its position as the ruling party as President Mamnoon Hussain signed the controversial Election Act 2017 into law after it was bulldozed through the National Assembly amid pandemonium on the opposition benches.

Under The Representation of Peoples Act 1976, a disqualified person could not hold the office of a party.

The law was passed to allow the party to re-elect Sharif as its head.

Ahsan said that after the new law, even someone who has given up Pakistani citizenship, who is declared to be of an unsound mind or otherwise disqualified from holding public office by a court now can become the head of a party.

&quot;The parliament is exposed to becoming hostage to a person who himself is barred from entering it,&quot; the resolution said.

Law Minister Zahid Hamid opposed the resolution when put forward for debate and said that every party has the right to choose its leader from one of its members.

The resolution is non-binding and of no legal value and hence just symbolic.

The resolution said a person cannot hold a party post after being disqualified from public office

Pakistan's Senate today passed a resolution against a person holding a party post after being disqualified from public office, a move aimed against ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif's re-election as the chief of the ruling PML-N. The resolution, presented by Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Aitzaz Ahsan, stated that a person who is not eligible to become a member of the parliament or has been disqualified cannot lead any political party. The Senate or the upper house of the parliament passed the resolution with 52 senators voting in its favor and 28 voting against it. The step was taken against the approval given to Sharif to head the ruling party after amendments were made to the Elections Bill, 2017. Sharif, 67, had to step down as PML-N chief after he was disqualified as the prime minister by the Supreme Court on July 28 in the Panama Papers scandal. The PML-N took full advantage of its position as the ruling party as President Mamnoon Hussain signed the controversial Election Act 2017 into law after it was bulldozed through the National Assembly amid pandemonium on the opposition benches. Under The Representation of Peoples Act 1976, a disqualified person could not hold the office of a party. The law was passed to allow the party to re-elect Sharif as its head. Ahsan said that after the new law, even someone who has given up Pakistani citizenship, who is declared to be of an unsound mind or otherwise disqualified from holding public office by a court now can become the head of a party. "The parliament is exposed to becoming hostage to a person who himself is barred from entering it," the resolution said. Law Minister Zahid Hamid opposed the resolution when put forward for debate and said that every party has the right to choose its leader from one of its members. The resolution is non-binding and of no legal value and hence just symbolic.

Pakistan Senate adopts resolution against ousted PM Nawaz Sharif

Shahbaz Sharif will continue as Punjab chief minister as leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) are mulling over options, who would replace former prime minister Nawaz Sharif as the party chief, in regard to a notice from election commision, following Sharif&#39;s disqualification from office.

&quot;We did discuss all available options for a new party chief but could not arrive at a decision...we decided to hold huddles for a couple of more days keeping in view various legal and political sensitivities involved with the issue,&quot; the Dawn quoted Punjab Governor Rafiq Rajwana as saying.

The leaders, at a consultative meeting chaired by Nawaz Sharif at his Raiwind residence, however, decided to continue with the party&#39;s &quot;mass-contact drive,&quot; in the wake of a &quot;positive&quot; response from supporters, along the former Prime Minister&#39;s rally on GT Road.

The meeting was attended by National assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Punjab Governor Rafiq Rajwana, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Khwaja Muhammad Asif, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Railways Minister Khwaja Saad Rafiq, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, MNA Hamza Shahbaz, Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Anushe Rehman, former law minister Zahid Hamid and ex-IG Rana Maqbool.

The Election Commission asked the PML-N on August 7 to elect a new chief as election laws do not permit a person to serve as an office-bearer of a political entity, who have been disqualified from holding office.

Earlier, party chairman Raja Zafarul Haq had said that Shahbaz Sharif had been finalised as the new PML-N president and a formal announcement to the effect would be made within two days.

The former prime minister of Pakistan had earlier wished that his younger brother Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif should succeed him as prime minister (after contesting from NA-120 to become a National Assembly member).

Former first lady Begum Kulsoom might be the next party president and that her nomination was pending clearance of her candidature for NA-120 by-polls with the Election Commission. She is to appear before the returning officer on Wednesday (today) as her rival candidates have raised objections to her nomination papers.

The Election Commission asked the PML-N on August 7 to elect a new chief as election laws do not permit a person to serve as an office-bearer of a political entity, who have been disqualified from holding office

Shahbaz Sharif will continue as Punjab chief minister as leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) are mulling over options, who would replace former prime minister Nawaz Sharif as the party chief, in regard to a notice from election commision, following Sharif's disqualification from office. "We did discuss all available options for a new party chief but could not arrive at a decision...we decided to hold huddles for a couple of more days keeping in view various legal and political sensitivities involved with the issue," the Dawn quoted Punjab Governor Rafiq Rajwana as saying. The leaders, at a consultative meeting chaired by Nawaz Sharif at his Raiwind residence, however, decided to continue with the party's "mass-contact drive," in the wake of a "positive" response from supporters, along the former Prime Minister's rally on GT Road. The meeting was attended by National assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Punjab Governor Rafiq Rajwana, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Khwaja Muhammad Asif, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Railways Minister Khwaja Saad Rafiq, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, MNA Hamza Shahbaz, Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Anushe Rehman, former law minister Zahid Hamid and ex-IG Rana Maqbool. The Election Commission asked the PML-N on August 7 to elect a new chief as election laws do not permit a person to serve as an office-bearer of a political entity, who have been disqualified from holding office. Earlier, party chairman Raja Zafarul Haq had said that Shahbaz Sharif had been finalised as the new PML-N president and a formal announcement to the effect would be made within two days. The former prime minister of Pakistan had earlier wished that his younger brother Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif should succeed him as prime minister (after contesting from NA-120 to become a National Assembly member). Former first lady Begum Kulsoom might be the next party president and that her nomination was pending clearance of her candidature for NA-120 by-polls with the Election Commission. She is to appear before the returning officer on Wednesday (today) as her rival candidates have raised objections to her nomination papers.

Pakistan: PML-N mulls over new party chief

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is set to nominate Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as the interim prime minister following Nawaz Sharif&#39;s disqualification.

According to media reports, Abbasi&#39;s name was agreed upon in the meeting of the PML-N&#39;s advisory meeting by all members on Saturday.

The final nomination will be recognised in the party&#39;s parliamentary meeting.

After the interim prime minister is elected, a new cabinet will be formed.

Abbasi previously served as the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources in the third Sharif&#39;s ministry from 2013 to 2017 and briefly held the cabinet portfolio of Minister for Commerce and Ministry of Defence Production in the Gillani ministry in 2008.

Abbasi is an elected member of the National Assembly of Pakistan since 1988, representing Rawalpindi.

Meanwhile, the party has announced Punjab Chief Minister and Nawaz Sharif&#39;s younger brother Shehbaz Sharif as the next Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Shehbaz will steer the country until the next general elections scheduled for 2018.

Yesterday, the Supreme Court five-judge larger bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa unanimously announced the Panamagate verdict leading to Sharif&#39;s disqualification.

The apex court ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to file a reference against the accused in an accountability court in six weeks, directing for the trial to be concluded within six months.

It is the second time in Pakistan&#39;s 70-year history that the Supreme Court has disqualified a sitting prime minister. In 2012 then prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani was disqualified over contempt of court charges for refusing to reopen a corruption case against the sitting president Asif Ali Zardari.

Also no Pakistani prime minister has ever completed a full five-year elected term. Most tenures have been cut short by military coups.

While serving as the country&#39;s Prime Minister in 1993, Sharif was sacked by the then-president over graft allegations, while in 1999 he was ousted in a military coup.&nbsp;

Abbasi previously served as the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources in the third Sharif's ministry from 2013 to 2017 and briefly held the cabinet portfolio of Minister for Commerce and Ministry of Defence Production in the Gillani ministry in 2008

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is set to nominate Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as the interim prime minister following Nawaz Sharif's disqualification. According to media reports, Abbasi's name was agreed upon in the meeting of the PML-N's advisory meeting by all members on Saturday. The final nomination will be recognised in the party's parliamentary meeting. After the interim prime minister is elected, a new cabinet will be formed. Abbasi previously served as the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources in the third Sharif's ministry from 2013 to 2017 and briefly held the cabinet portfolio of Minister for Commerce and Ministry of Defence Production in the Gillani ministry in 2008. Abbasi is an elected member of the National Assembly of Pakistan since 1988, representing Rawalpindi. Meanwhile, the party has announced Punjab Chief Minister and Nawaz Sharif's younger brother Shehbaz Sharif as the next Prime Minister of Pakistan. Shehbaz will steer the country until the next general elections scheduled for 2018. Yesterday, the Supreme Court five-judge larger bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa unanimously announced the Panamagate verdict leading to Sharif's disqualification. The apex court ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to file a reference against the accused in an accountability court in six weeks, directing for the trial to be concluded within six months. It is the second time in Pakistan's 70-year history that the Supreme Court has disqualified a sitting prime minister. In 2012 then prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani was disqualified over contempt of court charges for refusing to reopen a corruption case against the sitting president Asif Ali Zardari. Also no Pakistani prime minister has ever completed a full five-year elected term. Most tenures have been cut short by military coups. While serving as the country's Prime Minister in 1993, Sharif was sacked by the then-president over graft allegations, while in 1999 he was ousted in a military coup.

Pakistan: PML-N to nominate Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as interim PM

Pakistan&#39;s Punjab province Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif is likely to be made Prime Minister after his brother Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by the Supreme Court over the Panama Papers scandal, according to a media report.

After a consultative session of the ruling PML-N, Shehbaz has emerged as the most likely candidate to be the next prime minister of Pakistan after an interim premier has served the 45-day period, Geo News reported.

Shehbaz, 65, is currently serving as the chief minister of Punjab.

Sharif met with senior party leaders after being disqualified by the Supreme Court verdict following culmination of the Panama Papers case.

After chairing the meeting as president of his party, Nawaz recommended his own brother to be his replacement as the prime minister of Pakistan, the report said.

A name has not been announced for the interim prime minister, who will fill the 45 day vacuum until Shehbaz is elected to a National Assembly seat, it said.

Names of Rana Sanaullah and Hamza Shehbaz are being touted as contenders for the post of Punjab chief minister, the report said.

Nawaz Sharif, who resigned from his post after the top court disqualified him, was quoted by The Express Tribune as saying that he wished to see his brother Shehbaz appointed the next prime minister.

In a meeting with his confidants, Nawaz said though the final decision on who should be appointed the next prime minister would be made in a parliamentary meeting of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), he hoped that Shehbaz would be chosen for the post, the report said.

Nawaz Sharif recommended his own brother to be his replacement as the prime minister of Pakistan, a report said

Pakistan's Punjab province Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif is likely to be made Prime Minister after his brother Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by the Supreme Court over the Panama Papers scandal, according to a media report. After a consultative session of the ruling PML-N, Shehbaz has emerged as the most likely candidate to be the next prime minister of Pakistan after an interim premier has served the 45-day period, Geo News reported. Shehbaz, 65, is currently serving as the chief minister of Punjab. Sharif met with senior party leaders after being disqualified by the Supreme Court verdict following culmination of the Panama Papers case. After chairing the meeting as president of his party, Nawaz recommended his own brother to be his replacement as the prime minister of Pakistan, the report said. A name has not been announced for the interim prime minister, who will fill the 45 day vacuum until Shehbaz is elected to a National Assembly seat, it said. Names of Rana Sanaullah and Hamza Shehbaz are being touted as contenders for the post of Punjab chief minister, the report said. Nawaz Sharif, who resigned from his post after the top court disqualified him, was quoted by The Express Tribune as saying that he wished to see his brother Shehbaz appointed the next prime minister. In a meeting with his confidants, Nawaz said though the final decision on who should be appointed the next prime minister would be made in a parliamentary meeting of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), he hoped that Shehbaz would be chosen for the post, the report said.

Shehbaz Sharif likely to succeed brother Nawaz as Pakistan PM: Report

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