The Pakistani Army presented Sharif with two choices: her daughter could become Punjab's chief minister or the prime minister: References

For the better part of its more than 75-year history, the formidable Pakistani military—which has dominated the coup-prone nation—has had significant influence on issues of foreign and security policy.

According to sources, the military establishment presented Nawaz Sharif with two choices after his party's disappointing showing in the elections held on February 8.

After the strong army offered him two options—either accept the prime ministership or give him his daughter—Nawaz Sharif gave up his dream of becoming Pakistan's prime minister for a record-breaking fourth time and nominated his younger brother Shehbaz Sharif for this important position. Let him become prime minister; leave it at that. Party sources claim that Punjab Minister.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz supremo Nawaz Sharif nominated Shehbaz Sharif for prime minister, which has caused a lot of discussion among the party's members. They are wondering why the 74-year-old three-time prime minister was "sidelined" Went. In spite of a previous declaration on the Premiership.

According to sources close to the PML-N, Nawaz Sharif has chosen to withdraw from the prime ministerial election in favor of his 50-year-old daughter and political successor Maryam Nawaz.

Nawaz Sharif could have led a coalition government for a fourth term as prime minister, but his daughter would never have been able to become Punjab's chief minister. According to a party source, Nawaz gave up his ambition to become prime minister for the fourth time out of love for his daughter.

According to sources, the military establishment presented Nawaz Sharif with two choices after his party's disappointing showing in the elections held on February 8.

For the better part of its more than 75-year history, the formidable Pakistani military—which has dominated the coup-prone nation—has had significant influence on issues of foreign and security policy.

"The first was to lead the coalition government in Islamabad and appoint his younger brother Shehbaz Sharif as Punjab's chief minister; the second was to step down from Shehbaz's position of leadership and appoint his daughter Maryam as Punjab's chief minister. Another report said that Nawaz opted for the latter.

According to the insider, Nawaz Sharif had to be sidelined for whatever reason since Shehbaz Sharif, 72, was the army's preferred candidate.

In the contest for prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif lost to his older brother Nawaz Sharif because the PML-N was unable to secure a simple majority in the 266-member National Assembly.

This week, social media users were debating the PML-N's choice to nominate Shehbaz Sharif for prime minister.

Outrage at Shehbaz Sharif's nomination was evident on X, with "Give Pakistan Nawaz" being among the top trends in the nation.

If Nawaz Sharif's political career is gone, some questioned in their postings on X.

A strong media campaign preceded the general elections, when the PML-N first declared that Nawaz Sharif would be the party's nominee for the top position.

Maryam said on Wednesday that the PML-N's failure to win a landslide majority in the elections was a factor in her father's decision to resign from his position as leader.

A party has to take 133 of the 265 seats up for grabs in the 266-member National Assembly in order to establish the government.

Currently holding 92 seats in the lower house (National Assembly), the PTI-backed Independent of former prime minister Imran Khan is leading from PML-N (80), the Pakistan People's Party (54), and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) (17). are grouped together.

Maryam will now take on the role of Punjab's first female chief minister, leading a province with a population of over 120 million.

Since Maryam would become chief minister on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's "stolen mandate," according to former prime minister Imran Khan's party, her appointment lacks legitimacy.

Shehbaz Sharif, on the other hand, is prepared to unite a coalition of six parties early in the next month in order to rule.

The Election Commission of Pakistan reports that these six parties have won 152 general seats in total, which indicates that after adding 60 seats for women and 10 seats for minorities to their total, they would have the 169 seats needed to form the government at the Center. is simple to do.

In the general elections on February 8, none of the three main parties—the Pakistan Muslim League-N, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf—have secured enough seats to obtain a majority in the National Assembly. As a result, none of them would be able to establish government on their own.

Pakistan's election on February 8 saw 47.6% of voters cast ballots, a decrease from the 52.1 percent voter participation in the country's last election in 2018.