Shehbaz Sharif, Umar Ayub Khan in Final Race for Prime Minister

News Desk

Islamabad: In Islamabad, the stage is set for a riveting competition for the post of Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, representing the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), is poised against former Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Umar Ayub Khan, backed by the Sunni Ittehad Council with support from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Shehbaz Sharif has garnered substantial backing, with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and recently the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) throwing their support behind him. The election, slated to occur today (Sunday) in the National Assembly, will witness the newly elected members casting their votes.

The Speaker of the National Assembly has greenlit the nomination papers of both contenders, dismissing objections raised by the Sunni Ittehad Council against Shehbaz Sharif’s candidacy.

The objection, contending that Shehbaz Sharif is ineligible due to his electoral defeat, failed to sway the decision.

For Shehbaz Sharif and his allies, the coalition boasts 200 potential votes, while a simple majority of 169 votes out of 326 in the House is needed for victory. On the other side, Umar Ayub, supported by the PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council, commands 92 possible votes.

As the political landscape unfolds, the JUI-F has chosen to remain neutral in the prime ministerial election, thus abstaining from taking sides. With the stage set and alliances solidified, the outcome of this contest promises to shape the future direction of Pakistani politics.