Nawaz Sharif reclaims PML-N presidency, says he stands vindicated after six years

LAHORE – Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was elected president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) unopposed at the party’s general council meeting on Tuesday.

Sharif took over the party leadership when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif resigned on May 11.

Nawaz Sharif addressed the general council meeting and allowed the energized throng to celebrate his return as party president. He stated that his appointment as party president ‘discarded’ former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar’s decision to remove him from the Prime Minister’s Office.

“Invite those who declared Nawaz ineligible for life. Today, Nawaz stands before you once more. Why was that choice made? Because Nawaz did not take his son’s salary?

Nawaz complimented his party workers and brother for their dedication to the party during tough times. He accused various forces of attempting to sow discord among himself, his brother, and PML-N followers.

The PML-N president said that years ago, his brother was given the prime ministership on the condition that he sidelined Nawaz, but the younger Sharif declined.

Shehbaz Sharif’s Address

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the general council meeting and congratulated his brother on reclaiming the party presidency.

“The injustice committed against you in 2017… God has restored you to your former position and the esteem of a large majority.”

The prime minister claimed that his brother was disqualified due to spurious allegations, and even opponents had to admit the unfairness endured by Nawaz Sharif.

Shehbaz directly accused PTI founder Imran Khan of organizing the alleged fraud of the 2018 general election, claiming that “Nawaz’s election victory was turned into defeat.”


The prime minister slammed PTI founder Imran Khan for reportedly insulting the army leadership.

Rana Sanaullah

Earlier, PML-N Punjab President Rana Sanaullah described the party’s electoral procedures at the general council meeting.

He stated that Shehbaz has resigned as PML-N president on May 11. He recalled that Shehbaz’s resignation was accepted at a central working committee meeting on May 18 and that he was asked to remain in the position until the election.

Ouster of Nawaz Sharif

Nawaz Sharif resigned down as PML-N president six years ago after a Supreme Court verdict in the Panama Papers case disqualified him from serving as prime minister in 2017.

The next year, Pakistan’s then-chief judge, Mian Saqib Nisar, declared that an individual disqualified under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution could not lead a political party.



According to PML-N sources, eleven party members have received nomination papers for the top position.



To conduct the election for the top seat, the PML-N appointed a five-member election committee chaired by PML-N Punjab chapter President Rana Sanaullah and included of Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Ishrat Ashraf, Jamal Shah Kakar, and Khayal Das Kohistani.



The nomination papers from the candidates were to be submitted between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., with their inspection slated between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., and voting around 4 p.

The PML-N first scheduled the general council meeting for May 11, but it was later moved to coincide with Youm-e-Takbeer’s 26th anniversary festivities.

At a news conference on Monday, Rana Sanaullah announced that the party’s general council would hold an election for the next party president on Tuesday.

Sanaullah further stated that decisions about the party’s essential issues will not be taken without Nawaz Sharif’s participation or in his absence.

He claimed that the entire PML-N unanimously wanted Nawaz Sharif to lead the party.

Sanaullah stated that Nawaz Sharif had no grievances against anyone and that party leader Shahid Khaqqan Abbasi was qualified to submit paperwork for the party president, which would be determined after examination.

PML-N RESOLUTION

Earlier in April, the Punjab chapter of the PML-N passed a unanimous resolution a few days earlier inviting the older Sharif to lead the party again.

“A controversial judicial judgment forced Mian Nawaz Sharif to step down as PML-N president. All hurdles to repression have been overcome, and he stands vindicated. Following the resolution’s passage, PML-N Punjab president Rana Sanaullah stated that the party will move forward under his leadership.

“Nawaz Sharif had been requested to reassume the charge of the PML-N,” he had stated.

He had also stated that the former prime minister had been forcibly removed from the party in 2017.