Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif tendered his resignation as the President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Monday. This move sets the stage for his elder brother and former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, to once again take the helm of the ruling party. An official announcement on this matter is anticipated shortly.
Addressing the PML-N Secretary-General in his resignation letter, Shehbaz Sharif recalled the upheaval of 2017, which culminated in Nawaz's disqualification from the office of Prime Minister and the presidency of the party, and noted that the responsibility was then passed on to him.
Shehbaz expressed that his brother entrusted him with the party's leadership amidst adverse circumstances, a duty he accepted with the utmost dedication and integrity. "However, I’ve always regarded this role as a sacred trust," he said.
Referring to the Islamabad High Court's verdict on 29th November, he stated, "I am greatly inspired by the recent developments that have acquitted our leader with dignity, affirming his untarnished integrity and commitment to serving our nation."
Shehbaz remarked, "In light of these developments and our beloved leader's steadfast guidance, I believe the time has come for Mohammad Nawaz Sharif to resume his rightful place as the president of PML-N. With a deep sense of duty and reverence for the ideals of our party, I hereby resign from the presidency."
It’s important to note that in 2017, the Supreme Court had disqualified Nawaz Sharif as Prime Minister and party president in relation to corruption allegations linked to the Panama Papers revelations about his undisclosed assets abroad. His subsequent disqualification led to an internal party shuffle, ultimately requiring him to step down from the role of Prime Minister as well.
