PML-N President Nawaz Sharif chaired a party meeting to discuss the formation of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government and potential candidates for the prime ministerial slot. This comes as six candidates contest five women’s reserved seats in the Legislative Assembly.

PTI founder Imran Khan's transfer to Adiala Jail was reportedly under discussion for months, with developments not similar to the episode involving former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and Khan is not permitted to go abroad for treatment.

Nawaz Sharif has called on his political rivals to keep battles within the political sphere, urging his party, PML-N, to prioritize merit in the AJK cabinet and advocating for the region's development to match Punjab.

Nawaz Sharif has expressed a desire to ease tensions with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), stating that political differences should not escalate into hostility, and pressed the federal government to accelerate development in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Candidates backed by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-N party have won 24 of 34 seats in the first two phases of voting in Kashmir, despite a boycott call from a banned group.

Responding to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari stated that residents of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) are not ready to 'bargain away their rights.'

Pakistan's Nawaz Sharif has expressed a new desire to become the Prime Minister of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), claiming it as his second home.

Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz are set to lead the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) election campaign in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The party is reviewing their visit plans for upcoming rallies.

Nawaz Sharif has called on protesters in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to end their sit-ins and engage in meaningful dialogue with the government. He emphasized the importance of resolving issues through discussion rather than continued demonstrations.

Former prime minister and PML-N President Nawaz Sharif arrived in Gilgit-Baltistan for a brief visit as his party prepares for the upcoming June 7 elections in the region.

Nawaz Sharif's recent electioneering activities in Gilgit-Baltistan have sparked debate and speculation regarding his renewed and active role in Pakistan's political landscape.

PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif is facing criticism for not fulfilling his assurances regarding Balochistan, remaining absent despite earlier pledges.

Nawaz Sharif has criticized the governance record of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, citing a lack of basic services despite 15 years of PTI rule.

Board includes PM Shehbaz, Nawaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal, Khawaja Asif, Maryam Nawaz and others

Incarcerated PTI leader Dr Yasmin Rashid has approached the Supreme Court to overturn PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif's election victory from Lahore’s NA-130 constituency in the 2024 general elections.

IT has been a worrying week for the PTI as the news about Imran Khan’s health became public and dominated news headlines and private conversations. From the sketchy information that came out initially, it appeared that he had some problem with his eye and has lost up to 85 per cent of his vision in that eye. This was reported by lawyer Salman Safdar, after his court-appointed visit to Khan at Adiala jail, though there had been news reports about the matter earlier. According to Safdar, the percentage was communicated to Khan by the doctors who examined him. The government’s earlier reaction appeared a bit inexplicable. It took the government days to confirm the problem, after it had been reported in the media. And then it did nothing while the Supreme Court woke up to take notice, sending Safdar to the jail. Over the weekend, there were reports that a team of doctors had been sent to the jail to examine him, while his family and personal doctors continued to wait for access. As the family and party refused to accept the government’s decision of giving access to only certain individuals (rather than the family being allowed to choose the person) the examination was carried out at the jail by doctors without any relative present. The party is trying to build up pressure through protests and sit-ins, which seems to cause no sleepless nights to the government. This is so despite reports that KP is cut off from the rest of the country. The PTI is getting criticised for this though it is hard to understand why the federal government is ignoring it. To return to Adiala, this is a good time for a reminder that health issues, especially of imprisoned political prisoners, should not be downplayed or treated lightly. For this reason, the government should provide all help possible to Khan; this includes allowing his family and personal doctors access to him, so they can take decisions on his health, instead of the government making the call on which experts should conduct the examination and which family members can be present. This reeks of callousness. The reports of Khan’s ill health have added fuel to the talk of a probable deal. However, there is a political angle to this entire crisis. The reports of Khan’s ill health have added fuel to the talk of a probable deal or ‘dheel’, as it seems to share some parallels with the platelets issue which allowed Nawaz Sharif to be freed and flown to London. In fact, the question being asked again and again in Islamabad is if this is Platelets 2, implying that some backroom deal is being worked out. It is important to point out that the rumours did not just emerge as a result of health worries but also because of the events of the past couple of weeks where the cooperation between the federal and provincial governments improved. Once this happened, the allegations of drugs and other criminal activities directed at Chief Minister Sohail Afridi gave way to praise for his cooperation with Islamabad. So once the reports of the illness emerged, it simply lent credence to rumours that something was cooking. At the moment, it is hard for those of us who live away from Constitution Avenue to comment on these rumours with any authority. And beca­u­­se I would like to feel better about my ignorance, perhaps some of those living on Constitution Avenue may also be as ill-informed as the rest of us mortals. Despite this, there is much support for the idea of a deal. For many within the PTI think it would provide respite to Khan and others and allow them to bide their time for a return to power (as in the case of other politicians in the past). On the government side, it is seen as a way to bring some stability to the situation, allowing the focus to remain on the economy. But all of this ignores a larger issue, beyond the comfort of those in power and in the opposition. In other words, beyond the level of high politics, where the players tend to be the establishment, the parties and individuals, what will this deal bring to dissatisfied people who have been feeding into the popularity and stature of Khan? Indeed, it is this anger which has resurrected Khan and the PTI each time a fatal blow has been struck in the direction of the party in what is ‘high politics’. Be it the forcible exits from the PTI of the more well-known faces or the decision to deprive the party of its symbol — popular support for it has ensured that none of these steps proved sufficient. So it is perhaps worth asking what the impact of such a ‘deal’ would be. Suppose the deal does disillusion the supporters of Khan and undermines his popularity in a way similar to Nawaz Sharif and the PML-N. (The economy and its poor performance landed the second blow on N’s popularity.) And then what options will be left for the people to still stay engaged in electoral politics. Will they opt for other, smaller political parties? Or will they look around for more radical options? The point here is that the establishment needs to realise that it not going to be enough to win over politicians to its side; this is not what will make the system more stable. For the system to be more stable, it is not enough to quieten politicians such as Sharif or Khan and then revel in the decline of their popularity. For real stability, the anger of the people will have to be understood and then addressed through a more equitable economic system and by giving them a voice. Instead of focusing on high politics, it might help if for once attention were paid to the level at which people operate and exist. After all, electoral politics in Balochistan was tamed some time ago, but stability continues to be elusive. The writer is a journalist. Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2026

Nawaz Sharif has stated that Pakistan cannot endure another crisis, as the Sharifs discuss Imran Khan's treatment and contempt proceedings.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced that Lahore's Basant festival will be held from March 12 to 14, 2027, following its successful return last year after an 18-year hiatus.

Amid ongoing acrimony with the PPP, Nawaz Sharif has stated that political differences should not escalate into animosity.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) held consultations in Murree, attended by Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and AJK leaders, to discuss the formation of a new government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif has finalized the AJK government formation policy, which excludes refugee seat MLAs from the cabinet.

PML-N supremo and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif questioned the lack of development initiatives in Azad Jammu and Kashmir following his ouster from power. He addressed a public rally alongside Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

Nawaz Sharif has stated his intention to ask the Prime Minister to appoint him as the premier of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), with Maryam Nawaz vowing to replicate the Punjab model.

Shehbaz Sharif and Nawaz Sharif extended their condolences to the Qatari leadership, expressing sympathy during a time of loss or difficulty.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif approved a 'people-friendly' provincial budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 after formal approval by the provincial cabinet during its 35th meeting.

PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif has arrived in Gilgit-Baltistan to lead the party's final election push, meeting with leaders and candidates as campaigning enters its last phase for the June 7 polls.

Nawaz Sharif has received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to visit Gilgit-Baltistan for an election campaign, where he will consult with ticket holders on the electoral situation.

Educators in Pakistan are protesting a privatization drive, specifically targeting the 'Nawaz Sharif Schools' project launched under a public-private partnership model.

PML-N President Nawaz Sharif has pledged that his party will prioritize development in Gilgit-Baltistan if elected in the upcoming assembly elections scheduled for June 7.

Dr. Yasmin has filed a petition with the Supreme Court of Pakistan, challenging Nawaz Sharif's election victory and arguing that notices to candidates before compiling final results are mandatory.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Monday said that the PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was living in the stone age, critising the province’s government for not taking steps for development in the age of technology. Addressing a laptop distribution scheme at a Gujrat university, CM Maryam highlighted that students in Punjab had access to Honhaar scholarships, laptop schemes, Parwaz Card, green buses and technical training programmes. “So there is Honhaar here, and incitement there, but this is nothing to rejoice about,” she said, adding that she was extremely upset that the “people of KP were still living in the stone age”. Maryam stated: “They do not know what development is. They do not realise that Honhaar scholarships also exist if one does not have the resources for their child’s studies. “They do not know that you must have a gadget or a laptop or an iPad or a computer in your hands if you are to meet global standards in today’s age.” Indirectly noting that the PTI had been in power in KP for the past “13 years”, she said the public there “does not even know what development is”. The chief minister quipped that the KP government’s response to every need was that it was providing them “awareness”. Maryam emphasised that blocking major roads in KP did not affect the businesses in Punjab but rather the economic activity of KP itself. During her address, Maryam also recalled the time when her mother Kulsoom Nawaz was hospitalised due to cancer in 2017 and 2018, as well as when her father and ex-premier Nawaz Sharif was ill during his imprisonment in 2019. Noting that Nawaz was in his 70s when he was jailed, the Punjab CM said, “He got sick after multiple heart attacks and his platelets dropped. He had cardiac pain [but] such a joke was made out of his ailment.” She continued: “When my father and I were in jail, my mother was diagnosed with cancer and her disease was ridiculed so much; it was even said that she was not sick and it is all a drama.” Maryam then recalled that Kulsoom was on a ventilator in a London hospital when certain individuals “entered the ICU through deception by wearing doctors’ uniforms to verify whether it was true or false”. “When my mother passed away, my father said, ‘One has to die to prove their innocence here’,” she said, adding that she was in a jail cell when Nawaz informed her about Kulsoom’s death. The PML-N leader then played some old video clips of ex-premier Imran Khan from when he was in power. In the clips, the PTI founder threatened to get the TV and air conditioner removed from the prisons of the PML-N leadership. Maryam asserted: “I am swearing by God that till today, neither I nor Nawaz Sharif or Shehbaz Sharif even thought of removing his AC or shutting off his food and TV. “In fact, Nawaz Sharif said one day that he (Imran) has one AC, give him two ACs as he should not face any problems.” She further said she was the “first woman” to be locked in the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) jail and a cell had to be vacated for her as they did not have a dedicated women’s prison. The Punjab CM then played another video of ex-PM Imran, wherein he commented on the “long list” of health issues Nawaz was facing. “You can have differences on policies and policies, but you cannot turn political disagreements into personal enmities,” Maryam emphasised. “My children, you must never do this,” she told the audience, referring to the actions taken by the PTI government of jailing PML-N leadership and “making fun” of the ailments. “The time circles back, but my father was telling me at dinner the other day to never wish bad for even one’s political opponents,” she said. “You all must not do what he or his party is doing,” the politician stressed. “Those who are ill, we pray that God may give them recovery soon,” she added. Speaking on Imran’s current health issues, Maryam said, “The kind of facilities and the doctors he needs are being provided to him, and I am telling you this on oath that no one wishes ill for him.” She called for lies, accusations, incitement, vandalism and fitna to be “thrown out” of politics.

PML-N President Nawaz Sharif has intensified his political engagement, meeting with provincial lawmakers from Muzaffargarh to address the growing disconnect between legislators and the provincial administration.

Nawaz Sharif is interviewing aspirants for the reserved seats in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) as the PML-N prepares to form a government in the region.

PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif stated that while political differences are common during elections, they should not escalate into animosity, seemingly referencing the growing tensions between the ruling party and its coalition partners.

A historical account reveals why former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif insisted on Bollywood actor Dev Anand accompanying Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee during his visit to Pakistan, in the context of Operation Safed Sagar.

PML-N president Nawaz Sharif chaired a crucial party meeting, urging leaders to maintain civility in politics as political tensions escalate.

Nawaz Sharif has promised Punjab-style development for Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and advised Bilawal not to take politics personally, as Maryam Nawaz also pledged electric buses and public services during the PML-N's AJK election campaign.

PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif has officially launched his party's election campaign in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). He emphasized his strong connection to the region, stating it is as dear to him as Punjab.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is heading to Qatar to offer condolences following the death of the former emir. He is accompanied by Nawaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.

Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has brought up the question of his ouster during rallies in Gilgit-Baltistan, seeking performance-based support ahead of the June 7 polls and linking stalled progress in the region to his disqualification.

Former prime minister and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif is set to visit Gilgit-Baltistan to meet party ticket holders ahead of the June 7 general elections in the region.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the Punjab Pavilion at the World Urban Forum being held in Baku, Azerbaijan, during her visit to the international event.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Nawaz Sharif to discuss the country's political situation and efforts for peace in the Middle East. The leaders reviewed various national and international matters.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the construction of Punjab's first sky glass bridge project in Kotli Sattian, Murree, aimed at boosting tourism in the region.

The Pakistani government has invited the opposition to hold talks aimed at strengthening and advancing the 2006 Charter of Democracy, a document signed by PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and late Benazir Bhutto.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif began his two-day visit to Austria on Monday, during which he will hold bilateral meetings and delegation-level talks, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said. The premier arrived in Vienna for the two-day visit on Sunday, at the invitation of Austria’s Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker. As per a PMO statement, PM Shehbaz arrived at the Austrian Chancellery today, where he was presented with a guard of honour and welcomed by Stocker. The statement said that the national anthems of both countries were played at the arrival, and both leaders “introduced their respective delegations to each other before proceeding for tête-à-tête and the delegation-level talks, wherein both sides will take stock of the entire gamut of bilateral relations”. PM Shehbaz also penned his remarks in the guest book at the Chancellery. The premier is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and one of his aides, Tariq Fatemi, during the two-day visit. This visit marks 70 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. In its statement issued on Sunday, the Foreign Office (FO) noted that the trip marked “the first visit by a Pakistani prime minister to Austria in over three decades, the last having been undertaken by the then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif in 1992”.