Who will be the next PM ? A new debate is on
AS ONE OF PML-N CHIEF’S MOST TRUSTED MEN, DEFENCE MINISTER KHAWAJA ASIF IS CONSIDERED MOSTLY LIKELY TO BECOME PRIME MINISTER
Anew 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 Sharif’s most trusted men 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.
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 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.
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.