Nawaz Sharif Wants To Be PoK PM, Asks Brother Shehbaz To Help

Nawaz Sharif's New Ambition

Nawaz Sharif, the three-time former Prime Minister of Pakistan, has set his sights on a new role. He now wants to become the Prime Minister of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Speaking at a political rally in Muzaffarabad, Sharif made his intentions clear. He said he would ask his younger brother, Pakistan's current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, to make him the chief executive of the disputed territory.

Legal Hurdles Remain

The declaration comes with a significant complication. Pakistani laws, framed by the country's own parliament, disqualify Nawaz Sharif from holding any public office. He was convicted in the 2018 Avenfield corruption case and was given a lifetime ban on holding political office by the Supreme Court.

Despite this legal bar, the PML-N supremo appears to be testing political waters in the region. The rally in Muzaffarabad was more than just a campaign event — it was a political reaffirmation of his relevance within the party and the broader political landscape.

Brotherly Request

Nawaz Sharif's request to his brother puts Shehbaz Sharif in a delicate position. The PML-N government in Islamabad would need to either amend existing laws or find a legal loophole to accommodate Nawaz's ambition.

Political analysts in Pakistan say this move could be a strategy to keep the Sharif family's grip on power intact across multiple fronts. It also comes ahead of elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, where the PML-N is hoping to make gains.

What This Means For PoK

The demand has stirred debate in political circles. Critics argue that it exposes the Sharif family's dynastic approach to politics. Supporters, however, see it as a legitimate ambition of an experienced leader.

Pakistan-occupied Kashmir has its own constitution and a separate political system, but real power remains with Pakistan's federal government. If Nawaz Sharif does become the PoK Prime Minister, it would mark an unprecedented consolidation of power by one family across two regions.

Officials in Islamabad have not yet confirmed any discussions on the matter. The Election Commission of Pakistan is also yet to comment on the legality of such a move.

What remains to be seen is whether Shehbaz Sharif will act on his brother's request. The coming weeks could reveal whether this is merely a political statement or the beginning of a serious campaign to change laws in Nawaz Sharif's favour.