Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that his elder brother Nawaz Sharif could be his successor if he gets a majority in Parliament.

“The disqualification of Sharif is over after the amendment to the Election Act 2017,” he told reporters in Islamabad. “This is a unanimous decision that Nawaz Sharif will be the PM if [we] get [a] majority [in the National Assembly].”

Elections in Pakistan are due this year but experts and the body tasked to hold them do not see it happening in 2023. They believe the outgoing government’s decision to notify the census days before the dissolution of the assembly would delay the elections.

The Election Commission of Pakistan might take more time to draw new boundaries for elections.

Shehbaz was of the view that the decision to take over the government after the former prime minister’s ouster did affect their vote bank but they saved the state. “I think if the state is saved then everyone is safe.”

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The premier reiterated that he led the government in difficult conditions over the last 16 months. He added that the next elections would be held on the slogan of “vote of izzat do”.

He asked during which tenure he did not have “good relations” with the establishment and asked when he was given any assistance.

When asked about praising the army chief while inaugurating projects, he wondered what was wrong with it.

Sharif said that he was scheduled to meet the opposition leader today (Saturday). He added that the decision on holding elections lies with the ECP and his party wanted timely polls.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also said that Nawaz’s disqualification ended after the lapse of five years.

He wrote this on X, formerly known as Twitter, in reaction to columnists’ and anchorpersons reactions on the impact of the Supreme Court decision on Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification.

“In this regard, it is necessary to refer to recent legislation. The disqualification has been limited to five years. Quaid-e-Muhatarram [Nawaz Sharif] will be restored very soon and will play a key role in politics,” he said.