Sharif ‘smartly deprived’ Shahbaz opportunity to become Leader

Lahore: Former Pakistan Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif “smartly deprived” his younger brother Shahbaz an opportunity to become prime minister because of “family politics” despite nominating the Punjab chief minister as his eventual successor, according to some PML-N leaders.

After his disqualification by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case on July 28 Nawaz Sharif had announced that Shahbaz Sharif would be prime minister for remaining 10-month tenure of the party after interim arrangements of 45-day for which Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was elected premier.

In the background interviews, some PML-N leaders said they are of the view that Shehbaz Sharif is made to miss a “golden opportunity” to succeed his elder brother as there was no guarantee that he would get the same chance in 2018 if PML-N won the election, as more players from the elder Sharif family will be there in the race for the top slot.

“His wife Kalsoom will be strong candidate for the prime minister in case PML-N won the 2018 general election if his daughter — Maryam — doesn’t find herself cleared of corruption charges she faces in the accountability courts by then,” a top PML-N leader said. “Perhaps Shehbaz missed the golden chance of becoming premier, thanks to smart politics of his elder brother.

Who knows about 2018 election’s outcome and family politics then.”

“Sharif actually told his brother that he couldn’t take his chances with him (Shahbaz). Sharif fears Shahbaz might take control of the party once he becomes and will also hand over Punjab province to his son Hamza,” he said.