Shehbaz Sharif likely to be acting PML-N chief

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's brother and Punjab Province Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif is likely to become the interim president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

The Express Tribune quoted well-placed sources in the party asdisclosing that the party has called for a meeting of its Central Working Committee at the PML-N Secretariat here on Tuesday, where Shehbaz will be elected as the new interim party president.

Last week, Pakistan's Supreme Court disqualified Nawaz Sharif from the post of PML-N party chief, saying all decisions made by him now stand null and void.

A source further revealed that the party knows Nawaz won't be able to make a return after all this.

"So, the party is going ahead with its main candidate for party presidency even for the acting president slot," a source said.

Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif fearful of losing PML-N candidates in 'horse-trading', is seeking an 'oath of allegiance' from Senate candidates given tickets by the party, but now contesting the elections as independents.

The PML-N is trying to get 'concrete' assurances from itsmembers who are contesting the upper house polls.

Sharif called a meeting at his Jati Umra residence in Lahore where he reportedly tasked PML-N Chairman Raja Zafar-ul-Haq to gather all independent candidates, sources said.