Defence Minister Khawaja Asif May Replace Nawaz Sharif as Prime Minister: Pakistani Media

Many leaders of the party accused the military establishment and judiciary of hatching a conspiracy against Nawaz Sharif to oust him from the power.

Updated: July 22, 2017 11:03 PM IST

By Ravi Kaushal

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif May Replace Nawaz Sharif as Prime Minister: Pakistani Media
नवाज शरीफ (PTI)

Islamabad, July 22: After the Supreme Court on Friday reserved its order in Panama Papers case against Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Reports claimed Defence Minister Khawaja Asif may be next in line to take over the reins in case of his conviction.

Asif’s candidature came after a crucial meeting of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) which was convened within the presence of party leaders, lawyers and close aides of Nawaz Sharif to choke out the next best option available to party.

Asif may be chosen as the next PM for an interim period of 45 days till wife of Sharif Kasloom or brother Shahbaz Sharif is chosen to the lower house of National Assembly. Both are not members of the Parliament.

The questions also surround over the next Chief Minister of Punjab, Pakistan’s biggest and most politically significant state. Presently, the Punjab Government is led by Shahbaz Sharif. As per a PTI report, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi are also in the race. The report quoted a close aide of Nawaz Sharif who preferred to be anonymous.[Read: Nawaz Sharif Refuses to Buckle, Reiterates he Won’t Resign Over Panama Papers Scandal]

He said, “The prime minister’s legal team briefed him about the apex court’s proceedings and possible verdict. As there are chances of the premier’s disqualification, Sharif discussed his replacement as well. Khawaja Asif, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi are shortlisted for the slot of the prime minister.”

Many leaders of the party accused the military establishment and Judiciary in hatching conspiracy against Nawaz Sharif to oust him from the power. He added, “If Sharif is ousted by the Supreme Court there will be strong resentment in the ruling party against the establishment whom the PML-N believes to be involved in conspiracies against the premier. And Asif will be a perfect choice to give a befitting gesture to the establishment for its conspiracies.”

However, Asif rebuffed the reports about him becoming the interim prime minister. Asif said,”The entire party is behind the leadership of Sharif. There is no any prime ministerial candidate. There has been no discussion in the meeting on this issue”.

Opposition was also seen mounting pressure on Nawaz Sharif to resign after his name appeared in Panama Papers Case. Opposition Leader in National Assembly Khursheed Shah said that Sharif has only time till tomorrow to resign. Shah said, “He has two nights to decide about his resignation. His disqualification is a writing on the wall and he should honourably exist. The judges’ remarks in Panama case has already foretold the court’s decision.”

Sharif denied resigning under opposition’s pressure earlier this week.

(With inputs from PTI)

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