Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, a prominent figure of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), established a new political entity by approaching the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
After diverging from the Nawaz-led faction due to ideological disparities over the past year, the seasoned politician submitted the necessary paperwork for his party’s registration. Abbasi, who held the Prime Minister’s office from August 2017 until May 2018, communicated to the media his submission of the required documents to the ECP by the Election Act 2017. He intends to compete in the forthcoming elections under this newly formed party’s banner.
This development follows similar departures by notable figures from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), such as Jahangir Tareen and Pervez Khattak, who have also embarked on independent political ventures. Tareen inaugurated the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) in June of the previous year, while Khattak introduced the PTI Parliamentarians in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), attracting numerous former PTI members.
Abbasi’s move to launch a new party was not surprising, given his previous hints and criticisms of PML-N’s leadership, particularly after Maryam Nawaz’s elevation to a high-ranking position. He has also decided to abstain from contesting in the 2024 general elections, influenced by his resignation from party duties following Maryam Nawaz’s appointment last year.
