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\u2022 Party denies impression Shehbaz picked to lead in Centre LAHORE: Despite not being able to secure a simple majority in the 266-seat National Assembly, the PML-N claims that its supreme leader Nawaz Sharif is still in the hunt for the coveted slot of prime minister for a record fourth time.<\/p>\n As hectic efforts to hammer out some sort of power-sharing formula in the national and Punjab assemblies continued on Monday, a party insider told Dawn<\/em> the leadership had been engaged in \u201cextensive deliberations\u201d to decide who would be the prime ministerial candidate and lay the proposal before the PPP for approval.<\/p>\n \u201cAs of now, Nawaz Sharif has not been ruled out as a candidate for the PM\u2019s slot. Since the PML-N has to lead the federal coalition, many within the Maryam Nawaz camp feel why shouldn\u2019t [the elder Sharif] take the driving seat,\u201d the insider said.<\/p>\n They added that before the polls, Mr Sharif had wished to become PM for the fourth time, but unexpected results on Feb 8 had given him second thoughts, and his younger brother Shehbaz Sharif\u2019s name popped up as the \u2018favourite\u2019 for the coveted slot.<\/p>\n Party spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said the PML-N had not yet finalised its candidate for premiership. \u201cCommunication with coalition partners is ongoing and it will be decided with their consultation,\u201d she told a private TV channel on Monday.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Marriyum says contacts with \u2018partners\u2019 continue, matters will be decided with consensus
\u2022 List of 10 independent lawmakers issued, including two MNAs-elect, who have joined PML-N after polls<\/strong><\/p>\n