The incumbent Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is likely to be replaced with Kulsoom Nawaz, the wife of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif who is all set to contest NA-120 by-election following disqualification of her husband by Supreme Court in the Panama Papers' case.

A PML-N senior leader Senator Najma Hameed, a close aide of Nawaz Sahrif, contended that Begum Sharif enjoys immense respect amongst both the treasury and opposition benches, and the sole purpose she is being fielded for NA-120 is because this is the demand of the constituency.

Senator Najma, who has been appointed Kulsoom's election coordinator by Nawaz Sharif, said that the party would decide whether Kulsoom Nawaz would be fielded as the country's Prime Minister only after she wins the by-polls. "The parliamentary committee of the party will take a final decision...if she declines to become the prime minister, she will definitely be given the portfolio of a senior minister," she added.

Another senior leader of ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Syed Zafar Ali Shah said that if Kulsoom Nawaz wins the elections, she will definitely emerge as a potential contender for the slot of prime minister. "Nawaz Sharif will naturally prefer his wife over Khaqan Abbasi," he added. "It is foolish to say that Shahbaz Sharif was not interested for the top slot of prime ministership. This is the desire of every parliamentarian to become the prime minister, and Shahbaz could have easily controlled Punjab from the Centre," he added.