Sharif’s brother fills his shoes

LAHORE: Pakistan’s ruling party has chosen Shahbaz Sharif as its president, officials said, replacing his brother and veteran leader Nawaz Sharif following his latest disqualification by the Supreme Court.

The Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) party also elected Nawaz as “leader for life” – seen as a provocative move that could anger the judiciary after last week’s Supreme Court verdict that removed Sharif as party leader.

In July, Pakistan’s top court had ended Sharif’s third stint in power for not declaring a small source of income. He could end up in jail if convicted in a separate graft trial.

Shahbaz’s elevation as party president will further fuel suggestions that he will replace Sharif loyalist Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as prime minister if the party sweeps back to power at general elections due later this year.

“A meeting of the party’s General Council will be held on March 6, which would elect Shahbaz as the permanent president,” said senior party official Mushahidullah Khan.

“Nawaz Sharif will work as a life leader of the party.”

Despite Nawaz Sharif ’s legal woes, the 68-year-old has maintained a tight grip on the party. Shahbaz, 66, chief minister of the province of Punjab, has built a reputation as a competent administrator who gets things done, especially infrastructure mega projects – a cornerstone of the party’s electoral appeal.