more-inShahbaz Sharif’s recent appointment as interim president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was a landmark development that catapults the party into the campaign for the forthcoming parliamentary elections. The appointment of a new chief of the PML-N was necessitated last month when the Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s removal as party chief. For the PML-N, Pakistan is Punjab writ large; hence, Shahbaz Sharif is unlikely to face any challenges in running the party. Second, by nominating Shahbaz Sharif and not Maryam Nawaz, who is seen to be Nawaz Sharif’s political heir, the party has taken a positive step. However, there are also indications within Pakistan that Shahbaz Sharif is acceptable to the Deep State.

Source: The Hindu March 08, 2018 18:45 UTC