Shehbaz Sharif to Replace Brother as Pak PM

Shehbaz Sharif, the younger brother of ousted Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, was picked as the next nominee for the top constitutional post by the ruling PML-N, reports claimed. The decision to elevate Shehbaz to the constitutional post was taken at the party's consultative session, presided over by Nawaz.

Shehbaz, 65, is currently the chief minister of Pakistan's most populous state, Punjab. Although he has been reportedly chosen as the next Prime Minister by the PML-N, he could take over the reins from Nawaz only after being elected to the National Assembly. ALSO READ: Historic Verdict by Supreme Court, Must Ensure Nawaz Sharif Stays in Pakistan: Former President Pervez Musharraf

According to Dunya News, a PML-N lawmaker would resign from the National Assembly, followed by a sprinted elected to allow Shehbaz to be appointed as the next Prime Minister. The electoral process, however, should conclude within the next 45 days, subsequent to which, Nawaz would have to vacate the Office.

Since Nawaz has served a 45-day notice period, the PML-N decided not to appoint an interim Prime Minister till Shehbaz gets elected to the National Assembly, Geo News reported.

Meanwhile, the PML-N is reportedly mulling the option of replacing Shehbaz with his son Hamza Sharif or veteran party leader Rana Sanaullah as the chief minister of Punjab.

Nawaz submitted his resignation earlier in the day, after the Supreme Court pronounced its order in the Panama Papers case. The top court disqualified Nawaz's membership to the National Assembly, on grounds of disclosing incorrect information about his personal wealth and income sources before the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Imran Khan, one of the prime political rivals of Nawaz Sharif, was a key petitioner in the case against Nawaz. Following the court's verdict, he said, "This is a historic day for Pakistan. It is the victory of the masses. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf would be celebrating with a Youm-e-Tashakur rally in Islamabad on July 30."