ISLAMABAD: Senator and former information minister Pervaiz Rasheed said that nominating Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif as Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz?s candidate for prime minister in the next general elections was the party?s unanimous decision.

The former information minister was speaking to Saleem Safi in Geo News show ?Jirga?, which will be aired tonight at 10pm.

When it came to the question about Pervaiz Rasheed?s ouster from office, he denied that he was turned into a scapegoat.

Rasheed said he knew that Nawaz Sharif had to take the decision under duress.

When the anchor asked which was the side exerting pressure, Rasheed responded: ?We both know who exerts pressure here. If you want me to say something, then I will not to start a new debate.?

On Dec 21, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif has nominated his brother Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz as the candidate for the prime minister in the next elections.

Shehbaz is Pakistan's next prime minister, says Nawaz

Sources say Nawaz announced decision after a meeting of PML-N bigwigs at his Jati Umra residence

Nawaz had announced this decision after a meeting of PML-N bigwigs at his Jati Umra residence.

In October 2016, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had taken back the portfolio of Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage from Pervaiz Rashid, weeks after the military's top commanders said a 'false and fabricated' newspaper report breached national security.