Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his close aides are seriously considering that the premier should leave his office and become the president in order to counter the opposition pressure in connection with Panama leaks.

Legal experts of the prime minister have suggested to him that if he quits premiership and assumes the office of the president, he will be entitled to indemnity from all the complicated matters. This will also enable him to supervise the general election of 2018.

Sources said that landslide victory in the AJK Legislative Assembly has given confidence to Nawaz Sharif and he is now sure that no matter if he is in England for his medical treatment or in the presidency as a powerless president, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and relative Ishaq Dar know how to demonstrate full-fledged potential in controlling the matters.

Sources said the legal and constitutional experts have suggested the premier that the balloon of Panama leaks will stand deflated as soon as he quits the office, while there is no such constitutional barrier on his way to quit premiership and contest presidential election.

It is being stressed that Shahbaz Sharif should be given an opportunity to assume the office of the prime minister for the remaining tenure of the PML-N government. This change of power corridor will enable Nawaz Sharif to monitor the upcoming general election while sitting in the presidency, and also allow him to pave the way for his daughter Maryam Nawaz to become the next prime minister.

The sources also said that the PML-N leadership had consulted the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leadership in the backdrop of this situation as per the Charter of Democracy, and the PPP leadership is also fully agreed on this formula.

However, the PPP will oppose if Chaudhry Nisar is appointed as the PM, according to sources.