By Zaffar Abbas BBC correspondent in Islamabad

One of Pakistan's main opposition parties, the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz, has elected former chief minister of Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif, as its new president.

Mr Sharif has replaced his older brother and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, but with his personal approval.

Shahbaz Sharif's election belies rumours of division

Both the Sharifs, with their families, live in exile in Saudi Arabia and are not likely to return to the country for the general elections in October.

Though the opposition Muslim league is identified with Nawaz Sharif's name and is officially known as PML (N), the move to elect Shahbaz Sharif as party president has not come as a major surprise.

Since the former prime minister has been convicted in at least two criminal cases - including one on charges of corruption - he cannot lead a political party under new election laws enacted by the Musharraf government.

All in the name

Despite the legal moves, the PML (N) central executive committee unanimously approved his name for re-election when it met on Friday.

However, at Saturday's meeting of the party's general council it was announced that Nawaz Sharif had withdrawn his candidature and had nominated his brother, Shahbaz.

The law bars Nawaz Sharif from leading a party

Since no other candidate contested, the younger Sharif was elected unopposed.

Veteran party member Raja Zafarul Haq was elected as the figurehead chairman and imprisoned former minister Javed Hashmi as the vice president. Saranjam Khan was elected as secretary general.

The move to pass on the party leadership to Shahbaz Sharif suggests that the PML (N) still believes it is the charisma of the Sharif name which may win them votes in the elections.

New regulations

It may also put to rest speculation of a possible split in the Sharif family.

Some are saying that Shahbaz Sharif has been in touch with the military government and is planning to return home.

Meanwhile, the pro-government Pakistan Muslim League Quaid-e-Azam group - PML (QA) - is also holding its party elections on Saturday.

The party is almost certain to re-elect Mian Azhar as president but only after his rival candidate, Ejazul Haq, announced he would boycott the election process on grounds of irregularities in the voters list.

These party polls follow new rules announced by the election commission which make them obligatory for parties to become eligible to take part in the October elections.