Islamabad, Pakistan’s election body has officially accepted the nomination of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for the upcoming 2024 national elections, as reported by ARY News. This development indicates that no objections have been raised to the 73-year-old leader’s candidature. Sharif is set to contest from both Lahore and Mansahra city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In a significant political move, Nawaz Sharif’s younger brother and former Premier, Shehbaz Sharif, confidently stated, “Nawaz Sharif is going to be the next prime minister of Pakistan for a record fourth time after the general election in February.” Shehbaz Sharif attributed the country’s economic strength to Nawaz Sharif’s leadership.
This acceptance of Nawaz Sharif’s nomination holds particular importance considering his previous ban from running in elections imposed by the Supreme Court in 2017. The ban was based on the court’s declaration of him being dishonest for not disclosing income from a company owned by his son. Despite returning from self-imposed exile in London in October, Nawaz Sharif faces the challenge of regaining support from his main rival, former cricket hero Imran Khan.
Imran Khan, currently disqualified from the election due to a graft conviction, has appealed the decision. He previously alleged that Nawaz Sharif’s return was part of a ‘London Plan’ orchestrated by the military establishment to make him the prime minister.
