Senator Yaqoob Khan becomes PML-N's acting president

LAHORE: The disqualification of Nawaz Sharif as premier apparently seemed to be continually haunting the ruling party and Sharif family as the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in its latest details with regard to political parties has shown the ruling party’s presidential slot vacant. 

The commission had already apprised the ruling party in writing about Nawaz Sharif’s incapacity to remain president of Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) in wake of his ouster as PM by Supreme Court of Pakistan in Panama Papers case.

The ruling party chaired a meeting today (Thursday) to mull over the names for an acting president.

The top brass of ruling party during the meeting – which was attended by PML-N’s central executive committee including PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and former Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar – has expressed confidence on Senator Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Nasar, after electing him party president for an indefinite time period.

However, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s name is also being considered as party’s permanent president, party sources said.

Considered to be a close aide of ex-premier Sharif, Senator Sardar Yaqoob Khan Nasar was elected as Member of National Assembly (MNA) from Loralai constituency on the ticket of PML-N in the past.

He hails from Loralai district of Balochistan and leads Nasar tribe, besides serving as the provincial president and central vice president of PML-N.