The dissent against Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is out in the open, as Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) activists, over the last few days, have put up banners in Lahore, asking the PM to resign and let his younger brother become the premier of the country.
This comes at a time when speculations are high in favor of Shahabaz replacing the prime minister, in case the latter is disqualified in the aftermath of the Panamagate report submitted by the joint investigation team (JIT) to the Supreme Court.
"Janay do janay do Mian sahib (Nawaz Sharif) janay do, aur aanay do aanay do Mian Shahbaz Sharif ko aanay do (Mian sahib let it go (step down) and allow Shahbaz Sharif to take over the top slot)," the Dawn quoted banners which were placed outside the Lahore Press Club.
The party workers who installed these streamers were threatened, ridiculed and abused by other members of PML-N, the Express Tribune reported.
The banners were removed after they caught the attention of electronic media.
One of the persons who was involved in putting these banners and streamers said Nawaz Sharif should step down in the wake of the money laundering allegations to save the party and let Shehbaz replace him.
He claimed many in the party share their opinion, but lacked the audacity to voice their concerns.
On the other hand, these dissenting PML-N workers also got calls from fellow activists who appreciated their efforts to raise a voice.
Rumors have emerged that the ruling party is shortlisting candidates for the slot of prime minister in case Nawaz Sharif is disqualified after a three-judge Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan reserved its verdict in the Panama Papers case on Friday.
The names of Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi are doing the rounds for the top slot for 45 days till Shahbaz Sharif is elected on a national assembly seat to lead the government for the remaining term, reports the Dawn.
If some reports are to be believed, Kalsoom Nawaz, wife of Nawaz Sharif, is also being seen as candidate for the top post.
