Rana Sanaullah, a senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has expressed his belief that if led by PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, the country would have navigated out of its challenges within the next two years. Sanaullah acknowledged that the PML-N is taking a chance by forming a government that could either succeed or fail.
While discussing the February 8 general election results, Sanaullah expressed his disagreement with the people’s decision, particularly in light of several PML-N figures, including himself, losing to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed independent candidates.
The PTI emerged as the leading party with 92 National Assembly seats, followed by PML-N (79) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) (54). However, no party secured enough seats for a majority government, leading the PML-N to form a coalition government with the PPP and other smaller parties.
Before the elections, Nawaz Sharif was initially nominated by the PML-N to lead the country, but he later withdrew from the prime ministerial race, nominating his younger brother, Shehbaz Sharif, for the position. Shehbaz Sharif was elected as the country’s 24th Prime Minister with 201 votes in the National Assembly session.
Reflecting on the election setback, Sanaullah mentioned that Nawaz Sharif had suggested multiple ways to address the country’s crisis, preferring the PML-N to secure a simple majority. In consideration of the circumstances, Nawaz Sharif believed that Shehbaz Sharif had more expertise to govern.
Sanaullah emphasized that Shehbaz Sharif can resolve challenges if coalition partners support him. While the PML-N has not signed a written agreement with the PPP, Sanaullah mentioned that the Bilawal-led party has assured support for the Shehbaz-led government.
In the interview, Sanaullah also endorsed Ishaq Dar, a senior PML-N leader, for the position of the country’s finance minister, stating that Dar intends to pull the country out of the crisis. He noted that the decision would ultimately be made by Shehbaz Sharif. Senator Irfan Siddiqui, another PML-N member, also suggested that Ishaq Dar could likely become the finance minister in the Shehbaz-led government.
