Shahbaz could be Sharif's successor in Panamagate aftermath: Report

Punjab Chief Minister and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's brother Shahbaz Sharif is being speculated to replace the Premier in case the latter is disqualified in the aftermath of the Panamagate report submitted by the joint investigation team (JIT) to the Supreme Court.

The Dawn quoted a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader as saying, "There has been a lot of talk in the party about the possibility of Shahbaz replacing Nawaz in case the latter is disqualified."

Shahbaz was yesterday also present at the meeting of the party stalwarts chaired by Prime Minister Sharif to discuss the situation arising out of the JIT report.

According to the report, Shahbaz, who seems to have escaped indictment in the JIT report is now being reinforced as an 'all-important player' of the Sharif family in case the premier and his children get an adverse court decision in the Panama Papers case.

"But the big question is, does the PML-N leadership trust Shahbaz blindly and will it allow him to play a role in the Centre or choose someone else in the party or will it go for any other option," the PML-N leader added.

The six-member investigation team has pointed out categorical foul play on part of the Prime Minister and his family members in their wealth details linked to offshore companies unearthed.

The report found respondents guilty of being beneficial owners of multiple offshore companies and recommended initiation of reference against Sharif and his family members in the National Accountability Bureau.

The JIT has also accused Prime Minister Sharif's daughter, Maryam Nawaz, of submitting fake documents.

Following the report, opposition parties, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) demanded Sharif to immediately relinquish his office.