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February 14, 2024 2:52 PM IST

Nawaz Sharif nominates brother Shehbaz Sharif for Pakistan PM, daughter Maryam Nawaz for Punjab CM

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has endorsed his brother, Shehbaz Sharif, as the next premier of Pakistan. Additionally, his daughter, Maryam Nawaz, has been nominated for the position of Punjab Chief Minister.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has emerged as a key player, pledging its support to Sharif’s party to form a minority government, effectively ending days of uncertainty that gripped the nation after national elections last week returned a hung parliament

With PML-N securing 80 seats and PPP following closely with 54 seats, the two parties have combined forces to achieve a simple majority in the 264-seat legislature.

Speaking at a news conference alongside Shehbaz Sharif and leaders from various political factions, former President Asif Ali Zardari, the co-chairman of PPP, expressed the collective resolve to steer Pakistan out of crisis through a collaborative approach.

PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari outlined conditions for their support, emphasizing their commitment to electing the prime minister while refraining from joining the government directly.

Despite concerns raised about the stability of such a coalition, the alliance has effectively quelled uncertainties surrounding government formation, which surfaced following the split verdict of the Feb. 8 elections.

Independent candidates, supported by incarcerated former premier Imran Khan, secured 92 seats, emerging as the largest group. However, they lack the capacity to form a government independently and have ruled out alliances with PML-N or PPP.

Bhutto Zardari acknowledged the numerical advantage held by Khan’s independents and PML-N but underscored Khan’s reluctance to join forces with PPP.

With an eye on averting economic and political crises, Bhutto Zardari expressed PPP’s commitment to ensuring stability and progress for Pakistan. Notably, there is keen interest within PPP for Asif Ali Zardari to reassume the presidency.

Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the support from the PPP and other parties and said all the parties had come together because they needed to tackle numerous challenges, particularly the economy.

The country of 241 million people is grappling with an economic crisis amid slow growth and record inflation, along with rising militant violence. It narrowly averted a sovereign default last summer with a $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund, but the lender’s support ends in March, following which a new, extended programme will be needed.

While analysts had hoped for a resolution to Pakistan’s crises through the elections, the fragmented outcome, coupled with tensions between independents and the influential military, points to further instability.

Nonetheless, the newly formed political alliance, boasting nearly a two-thirds majority in parliament, offers prospects for more decisive policy-making, according to Sharif.

Imran Khan, the renowned cricket star-turned-politician, currently finds himself behind bars facing charges of corruption and revealing state secrets. His political entity, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, was disqualified from participating in the election, compelling its members to run as independent candidates.

In response to the election outcome, PTI has leveled allegations of electoral fraud, vowing to pursue legal recourse to challenge certain results. However, these claims have been dismissed by both the caretaker government and the election commission, underscoring the integrity of the electoral process.

(Inputs from agencies)

 

 

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Last updated on: 14th February 2025