The executive committee of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which met here Monday unanimously, nominated party president Shahbaz Sharif as a candidate for the slot of prime minister. The meeting of the PML-N, which was held at the PML-N Secretariat, took stock of the country's prevailing situation and matters pertaining to formation of new governments at federal and provincial levels.
The sources claim that Shahbaz Sharif apprised the executive committee members about his recent meetings with the PPP leaders and other leaders of opposition parties. Shahbaz also informed them about party's position in Punjab and chances regarding formation of its government in Punjab, the sources said, adding: "The PML-N would welcome those who would join the party unconditionally and will not involve in any attempt to lure the independents."
In the meeting of the PML-N executive committee, the members of the committee, which was assigned the task of preparing a white paper regarding rigging in general elections 2018, presented its initial report. The committee members were asked to complete the white paper as early as possible.
In the meeting, the sources claim that the head of PML-N legal committee presented report about complaints of rigging in the general elections 2018. The PML-N has already claimed to have collected the evidence of rigging in 38 constituencies in the recent elections and decided to file a petition on the High Court.
The executive committee of the PML-N evolved its strategy regarding formation of government at the centre and in Punjab.
It is pertinent to mention that the Pakistan Alliance for Free and Fair Election decided at a multi-party conference to field joint candidates for the offices of prime minister, National Assembly speaker and deputy speaker against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) candidates. As per decision, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) would nominate its candidate for NA speaker; Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) would nominate its candidate for deputy speaker while PML-N will nominate its candidate for the office of prime minister.
The sources also claim that in the meeting, many candidates in Punjab were considered for the slots of Punjab CM, speaker, deputy speaker and the important slot of Opposition leader in Punjab Assembly. It was decided that the PML-N Punjab parliamentary party would take final decisions in this regard.
After, the meeting, PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb told media that PML-N would continue to struggle with other political parties for free and fair polls. She said that July 25 elections were aimed at bringing forward Imran Khan and all the parties had rejected the results.
She said PML-N under the banner of the Pakistan Alliance for Free and Fair Election would hold a protest outside Election Commission of Pakistan on August 8 against worst rigging and stealing of public mandate. The PML-N ticket holders will participate in the protest.
Answering a question, the PML-N spokesperson said the PTI was luring the independents by all means but the PML-N would welcome those independents who agree with the party ideology. "We are in contact with the independents," she added. She also condemned restrictions on a section of media.