The PMLN government’s decision to ban Pakistan’s most popular party and charge PTI leaders with sedition has sparked fears of a political clash and potential martial law. Amid economic crisis and security challenges, Pakistan risks severe instability and unrest, writes Dr Sakariya Kareem
The decision of the PMLN government led by Shehbaz Sharif to ban the most popular political party in Pakistan and initiate sedition proceedings against PTI leader and former Prime Minister Imran Khan and former President Arif Alvi has put the country on a disastrous path to a clash between two hybrid political dispensations.
The Pakistan Army, the creator of both hybrid formations, will likely be caught between the two stools, putting the army chief, General Asim Munir, on a more difficult wicket.
General Asim Munir with Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif
The army had created the hybrid regime led by Imran Khan during General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s tenure. When Bajwa fell out with Khan, the artificial edifice collapsed, ironically propelling the former cricket star as a popular political leader among the disgruntled masses, mostly young voters. The country’s fortunes, however, plummeted. When the army got a new chief Asim Munir, there was a deep divide in the military leadership and Munir had several bones to pick with Imran Khan. Munir was keen on punishing Khan and propping up a new hybrid regime with Shehbaz Sharif as the Prime Minister.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan and former Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa
The move is now unravelling with Imran Khan gaining popular support as the Shehbaz Sharif government, doing the bidding of General Asim Munir, is mounting uncalled-for persecution of the former Prime Minister. The recent Supreme Court ruling in favour of Khan’s party, PTI, has further rattled the army-backed government. The apex court had given PTI the due share of reserved seats in the National Assembly besides recognising it as a parliamentary party. The PTI thus has emerged as the single largest party in the Lower House, reducing the Shehbaz Sharif government’s two-thirds majority in both the Houses. The court’s decision indirectly indicts the government’s desperate efforts to suppress the PTI and its leader. A lower court had earlier given a clean chit to Imran Khan and his wife in the marriage case, undermining the deep state’s concerted attempts to dismember Khan’s party and career.
The move to ban PTI has the nod of PMLN supremo, Nawaz Sharif. This shows a political leader who was once labelled the `Lion of Punjab` has turned into a `jackal` hemmed in by the Generals who do not trust him a bit. If the government goes ahead with this suicidal mission, it will signal the end of PMLN and deepen the divide among the senior and middle-rung leadership of the army. The army is already cut by divisions over PTI and Imran Khan.
Former PM Imran Khan shaked hands with then Lt. Gen. Munir
Many commentators suspect that the move was a strategic ploy to pave the way for martial law. The Generals were uncertain about Shehbaz Sharif’s ability to stabilize the country amidst its severe turmoil. If the situation deteriorates further, Pakistan could face a disaster akin to the 1971 crisis when the country split into two. Alongside political instability, Pakistan is experiencing one of its worst economic crises, leading to widespread poverty and unrest. Security challenges are intensifying across the east, centre, and west, presenting formidable difficulties that won’t be easily resolved. Banning the PTI and imprisoning Imran Khan for an extended period could provoke public unrest, which the Generals might struggle to contain. In this power struggle between hybrid regimes, both the country and the military risk losing whatever remaining prestige and stability they have.
PML-N and PPP have deliberated on the possibility of appointing prime ministers from the parties for three and two-year terms at the helm…reports Asian Lite News
As part of a plan to form a new alliance to run the federal government, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) have deliberated on the possibility of appointing prime ministers from either party for three and two-year terms at the helm, Geo News reported on Monday.
According to the report, the party leaders, in their first meeting on Sunday, discussed the possibility of appointing a prime minister for half the term.
The same power-sharing formula was chalked out by the PML-N and the National Party (NP) in Balochistan in 2013, when the chief ministerial candidates from the two parties held office for half of the five-year term.
In the Sunday meeting held at the Bilawal House in Lahore, the two sides agreed in principle to cooperate for the country’s political stability following the general election, Geo News reported.
The meeting was attended by PPP-Parliamentarian President Asif Ali Zardari, PPP Chairman Bilawal-Bhutto Zardari, and former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif from the PML-N.
According to a joint statement issued after the huddle, the meeting was held in a cordial environment, with both sides expressing the commitment to put the nation’s interests and well-being above everything.
The leaders of both parties engaged in substantive discussions regarding the prevailing political landscape and the imperative of collaborative efforts for the betterment of the country.
The PML-N delegation included Azam Nazir Tarar, Ayaz Sadiq, Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Tanvir, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Malik Ahmad Khan, Marriyum Aurangzeb, and Sheza Fatima, Geo News reported.
According to the joint statement, among the key takeaways from the discussion were the assessment of Pakistan’s overall situation, deliberations on future political strategies, and the exchange of recommendations aimed at promoting stability and progress across the board.
Geo News reported that both parties affirmed their dedication to steering Pakistan away from political instability and towards a path of prosperity and resilience.
The statement added that the majority of the country had given a mandate to the two parties, and they would not disappoint them.
The leaders of the two parties further underscored their unwavering commitment to fulfilling the aspirations of people and ensuring their voices were heard and heeded.
Meanwhile, the workers and supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) launched nationwide protests over the alleged “rigging in the general elections” on February 8.
PTI members demonstrated against what they claimed to be election tampering in Peshawar, blocking the Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway.
HRW urges peaceful transition of power
Amid hectic parleys around government formation and allegations of rigging by the PTI, the Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday that Pakistani authorities should ensure the peaceful transfer of power following national parliamentary elections on February 8, 2024.
“The Election Commission of Pakistan should promptly announce the official results, and all political parties and stakeholders should commit to upholding democratic norms and cooperating with an independent investigation into alleged election irregularities,” it said.
The Pakistan general elections were marred by the widespread clampdown on freedom of expression and association. The mass detention and harassment of supporters of the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) party, including a ban on the use of its election symbol, undermined a fair vote and prevented a level playing field for all candidates.
The authorities further harmed the credibility of the electoral process by shutting down cell phone signals on election day and delaying the announcement of election results. Several candidates have alleged vote rigging in some locations, according to Human Rights Watch news release.
“The Pakistani government should respect the election results and ensure a peaceful transfer of power,” Patricia Gossman, Associate Asia director at Human Rights Watch said.
“Pakistan’s deepening human rights and economic crises highlight the need for a representative government that will promote respect for fundamental rights and freedoms,” she added. (ANI)
During the meeting on Sunday at the Bilawal House in Lahore, the two sides agreed in principle to cooperate for the country’s political stability following the general elections…reports Asian Lite News
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have deliberated on the possibility of appointing Prime Ministers from their parties for a three and two-year term under a power-sharing formula, a media report said.
The idea of appointing a Prime Minister for half the term was discussed during their first huddle on Sunday following the February 8 general elections as part of their efforts to form a coalition government at the Centre and provinces, according to sources privy to the development, Geo News reported.
The same power-sharing formula was chalked out by the PML-N and the National Party (NP) in Balochistan in 2013, when two Chief Ministers from the two parties each held office for half of the five-year term, the report said.
During the meeting on Sunday at the Bilawal House in Lahore, the two sides agreed in principle to cooperate for the country’s political stability following the general elections.
The meeting was attended by PPP President Asif Ali Zardari, PPP Chairman Bilawal-Bhutto Zardari and former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif from the PML-N.
The PML-N leadership demanded that it would retain the coveted slot of Prime Minister, while former President Asif Zardari maintained that the PPP’s central executive committee (CEC) has already nominated Bilawal for the post of PM, Geo News reported.
After this, the leaderships of the two parties explored the possibility of appointing PM of their respective parties for half of the five-year term, as per sources.
During the 16-months’ tenure of Shehbaz’s PMship, the PML-N saw several party leaders, majority of them Punjab veterans, turning to London for their grievances to be heard. It led to the party touching its lowest ebb of popularity in Punjab since Nawaz Sharif’s entry into politics under General Zia-ul-Haq’s tutelage in 1980’s, writes Mohammed Anas
Despite having been given a favourable pitch for the final political innings of his life, the “reconciled” return of former Prime Minister Mian Mohammed Nawaz Sharif is not appearing changa (okay). The problem for the establishment (military), his party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), its immediate coalition partners like Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazal, the judiciary, and above it all for Punjab, his home state, is the same – his return.
First complex web that Sharif’s return has woven is around Sharifs – his clan. He has to decide on his succession. Then, who will be next – his daughter Maryam Nawaz or brother Shehbaz Sharif (and after him possibly his son Hamza).
A senior N-leaguer told the Dawn that Sharif is old and thinking about his legacy. “He is the senior-most statesman in the country. He is now at a point where he would be thinking about his legacy. He will want to think of some kind of grand reconciliation, to put the country back on track,” he said, hinting that both the Sharif family and their party will soon undergo leadership changes.
The average age of senior N-league leaders is above 70 and most of them are eager to adjust their next generation into politics.
There are rumours of Maryam Nawaz being primed for the position of deputy prime minister. In case, the family feud ensues, this position may go to Shehbaz. However, Shehbaz’s fortune, say PML-N insiders, depends on how the party fares in Punjab. Then, there will be the coveted chair of Punjab chief minister.
Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz Sharif
Recently, the party was reported to be trailing way behind PTI in opinion polls. However, reports after Sharif’s return say that it is recovering.
During the 16-months’ tenure of Shehbaz’s PMship, the PML-N saw several party leaders, majority of them Punjab veterans, turning to London for their grievances to be heard. It led to the party touching its lowest ebb of popularity in Punjab since Nawaz Sharif’s entry into politics under General Zia-ul-Haq’s tutelage in 1980’s.
“Midterm elections, public opinion polls, on-street sentiments and the responses to the PML-N’s calls for public gatherings all point towards the League grappling with an unprecedented decline in popularity,” wrote Zaigham Khan in Dawn, while taking stock of the PML-N’s status of affairs after Sharif’s return.
The PML-N’s decline came about despite the ground being cleared after the castle of Imran Khan’s PTI crumbled leader by leader and arrest by arrest. The PML-N in fact ended up ceding ground to PTI that is still enjoying widespread acceptance, especially among youths – 18 million youths became new voters in 2018 polls and after the new Census, around 21 million youth voters are said to have been added in the voter lists for 2024 elections.
N-leaguers say that they asked Shehbaz again and again to call elections last summer when chips of PTI were down, and the politics was not complex, and there were other reasons.
However, Shehbaz was either too busy to steady the stumbling economy or confined to the comfort of his administration-savvy image that he lost track of the party. The reports of rift between him and Maryam were routine and many a time both had to clarify that “all was well” between them.
Shehbaz Sharif, who became PM in senior Sharif’s absence, is also the chief of the PML-N.
“Both the elder Sharif and his daughter Maryam are striving not to take ownership of the party’s rule under Shehbaz,” wrote Zaigham.
The best thing for the PML-N, Zaigham says, has been that Imran Khan is behind the bars and “his party is encountering difficulties similar to what Sharif and the PML-N faced after being ousted by Musharraf in 1999”. The only difference is that while PML-N then had withered and Musharraf was able to cobble up PML-Quaid led by Chaudhry brothers (Pervaiz Elahi and Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain) and other Punjab politicians.
Imran’s PTI has maintained its popularity and it is unnerving the PML-N.
Sharif’s return actually is being promoted by the PML-N as the solution to the gloom that pervades in the country and to fill the cracks in the party.
Nawaz Sharif’s return will certainly help restore some confidence to the party rank and file, but, the freshness of bayaniya (narrative) to reinvigorate Pakistanis and N-leaguers seems missing.
Pakistani commentators, both from English and Urdu press, are severely apprehensive of Sharif generating any enthusiasm in serious Pakistanis.
“It is not clear whether he would be able to mobilise mass support in the changing political and social environment, despite the establishment’s tacit support and the planned elimination of the PTI from the electoral scene. The prospect appears bleaker with the disastrous performance of the PML-N-led coalition government that stepped down in August to make way for the caretaker set-up,” said Zahid Hussain, a senior columnist-writer.
Hussain even doubts PML-N’s ability to pave ground for itself on its own.
“It will be difficult for the party to go into elections without fresh ideas or a concrete programme to help it win back the support of its erstwhile political power base. Nawaz Sharif’s speech on his return was full of rhetoric, extolling his previous government’s performance, which remains questionable,” said senior Pakistani commentator Zahid Hussain.
It is becoming increasingly clear that the PML-N leadership is not willing to change itself to make the party relevant to the fast-changing political and social dynamics of the country, added Hussain. “The increasing stranglehold of the Sharif family over the party is also a serious impediment to broadening the PML-N’s political base,” he said.
The poor prospects of the PML-N may force the Pakistani establishment to postpone the elections which are set for late January. “Any major party at least requires a minimum 45 days of poll campaign to arrive at the threshold of the victory. The PML-N doesn’t appear to be such a party, at least as of now. Thus, the election dates may be postponed to February or even to March. However, the dates have reportedly been decided and that is January 28,” said Rasheed.
Rasheed says the road to the throne of Pakistan goes through Punjab. “Sharifs have to first win in Punjab and then rule from Islamabad. Punjab (PML-N in Punjab) is the tangle for them, and the time is ticking,” he said in his Facebook broadcast.
Rasheed also hinted towards an interesting development. Without naming his sources, he said that the changing international political scene due to ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict may also play a part in deciding political dynamics in Pakistan. “Among all Muslim countries, Saudi Arabia takes the maximum interest in Pakistani affairs. The communication from Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman to the Pakistani establishment is said to be different. Besides, he personally likes Imran Khan,” he said.
But Shafqat Ali, an Islamabad-based journalist well-connected with the elements of the Pakistani establishment, told India Narrative that despite stumbling blocks, the road is clear for Sharif.
“Punjab is Nawaz Sharif’s stronghold and after his return the people have shown good response. His homecoming rally has been encouraging for the PML-N. The family rifts that are being claimed by rivals have hardly been visible in public in the last 7 days. Then, Sharif has changed his stance about the establishment (he didn’t utter a word about them in his welcome rally). Both are mutually acceptable,” he said.
Ali said that Sharif is set for a record fourth term as Pakistan PM. There is little room for review appeal against this possibility.
On board the special plane, workers of the PML-N cheered on the party supremo with slogans of “Nawaz Sharif for Prime Minister again.”
Former Pakistan Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif landed at Islamabad airport as he returned to Pakistan after four years of exile in London.
In a post on X, PML-N posted, “Umeed e Pakistan has landed in Islamabad Alhumdulillah. NAWAZ SHARIF IS BACK IN HIS HOMELAND.”
According to The Dawn News, the PML-N supremo’s legal team including former law minister Senator Azam Tarar and party leaders are present at the airport to receive him.
Tarar said Nawaz will be consulted on political and legal issues upon his arrival, adding that the PML-N supremo will head to the VIP lounge after landing.
He confirmed that the court staff also reached the airport and now “the legal process of security guarantee will be completed”, Dawn News reported.
Earlier today, PML-N informed that Nawaz Sharif has arrived at the Dubai airport and took a chartered flight to Islamabad.
In a post on X, PML-N said, “Quaid PMLN, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif reaches Dubai airport to board the “Umeed-e-Pakistan” flight for his historic journey back to Pakistan. Daikho daikho kon aaya!!
“As Nawaz Sharif arrived at the Dubai airport, he said, “Today I am going to Pakistan after 4 years and I am feeling very happy with the grace of Allah. It would be great if the situation in Pakistan was better today than it was in 2017.”
On board the special plane, workers of the PML-N cheered on the party supremo with slogans of “Nawaz Sharif for Prime Minister again.
“Earlier, Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had given permission to a special plane booked to carry PML-N supremo to land in the country upon its arrival, ARY News reported.
The notification stated that the chartered plane would depart for Islamabad from Dubai and land at the Islamabad International Airport. After staying at the Islamabad airport for two hours, Sharif will depart for Lahore, ARY News reported on Saturday.
The PML-N party has prepared a grand welcome for the former PM. Several party leaders and workers have converged in Lahore from all across Pakistan for the party’s grand power show. The PML-N had also booked multiple special trains to ensure that its supporters are able to attend the Minar-e-Pakistan rally, Geo News reported.
The last term of Nawaz — who came to power riding on a triumphant victory in 2013 — was scarred by upheavals. It started with the then-opposition-led months-long blockade of Islamabad and ended with his disqualification by the Supreme Court in 2017. The court ruling followed months of hearings in a case instigated by the “Panama Papers” leaks, related to alleged corruption during his previous two terms in office.
Looking at the timeline of cases against Nawaz Sharif, on July 6, 2018, he was sentenced to 10 years in jail upon conviction in the Avenfield reference along with a fine of 8 million Euros (Pakistani Rupees 1.3 billion).The former PM was convicted in absentia as he was in London at that time to look after his ailing wife, as per Geo News.
On July 13, Nawaz and his daughter Maryam Nawaz — who is currently PML-N’s Vice President and Chief Organiser — were arrested upon their arrival in Lahore from London.
After approaching the Islamabad High Court, the Sharifs got major relief as the IHC ordered the release of Nawaz, Maryam and Captain Muhammad Safdar while temporarily suspending the sentences awarded to them, Geo News reported.
However, the relief was short-lived, as in December of the same year, after National Accountability Bureau (NAB) awarded Nawaz a seven-year jail term and a fine of PKR 1.5 billion in the Al-Azizia sugar mills reference. (ANI)
Nawaz Sharif has been in self-imposed exile in London since November 2019 owing to health reasons.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday urged Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif to come back and lead the election campaign in the country as well as also become the PM for the fourth time, Geo News reported.
While addressing the central general council meeting of the party, PML-N, Sharif said that he was waiting for his elder brother to return to Pakistan and then hold the party meeting so he could hand over the PML-N’s president back to him. It is pertinent to mention that Nawaz Sharif has been in self-imposed exile in London since November 2019 owing to health reasons.
“The election commission’s sword was hanging which is why this meeting was held,” the prime minister added.
Premier Shehbaz was given the PML-N’s presidency after his predecessor — Nawaz, the three-time prime minister — was disqualified by the Supreme Court and barred from holding any party office, according to Geo News.
He also said that the PML-N needed young leadership, and commended Maryam for her hard work.
“You will see that the map of politics will change when Nawaz Sharif returns to Pakistan,” PM Shehbaz said.
Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz Sharif (Photo Courtesy Twitter@MaryamNSharif)
This statement came a few weeks after Pakistan President Arif Alvi signed the Supreme Court Review of Judgements and Orders Act 2023, clearing the first step for Nawaz Sharif to exercise the right of appeal against their lifetime disqualifications within 60 days.
Under this new law, now an appeal can be filed against the court decisions in cases under Article 184(3). The law now applies to past verdicts as well, Samaa News.
Pakistan Supreme Court disqualified Nawaz Sharif in the Panama Papers case on July 28, 2017.
The apex court banned him from holding any public office for life for hiding unpaid salary from his son in the Panama case. A year later, the court while announcing the verdict on petitions challenging the Elections Act 2017 said that a person disqualified under Articles 62 and 63 cannot serve as the head of a political party, Pakistani news channel Geo News reported. (ANI)
Sanaullah’s statement comes as the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government has refused to accept the Supreme Court’s verdict on holding elections to the Punjab Assembly on May 14…reports Asian Lite News
Asserting that National Assembly will complete its constitutional term, Pakistan Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Sunday rejected Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan’s demand to dissolve assemblies and said that Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) has kicked off its election campaign, Geo News reported.
His statement comes as the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government has refused to accept the Supreme Court’s verdict on holding elections to the Punjab Assembly on May 14.
Speaking to reporters in Faisalabad, Rana Sanaullah stated that his party will win the elections. He said, “We will win the elections. Free and transparent elections will be held this year and the National Assembly will complete its constitutional term,” as per the Geo News report.
The ruling PDM government has refused to accept the apex court’s verdict on holding polls in Punjab and is holding talks with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to reach a consensus on the simultaneous elections in Pakistan, as per the news report.
Despite agreeing to conduct elections on the same date, the Pakistan government and PTI have failed to reach a consensus on the election time. The ruling government and PTI have submitted separate reports to the Supreme Court.
Speaking about the ongoing negotiations, Rana Sanaullah said the federal government is not ready to hold general elections in Pakistan “even one day before” the stipulated time on the demand of PTI, as per the Geo News report.
He further said, “People should minus him [from politics] using their power of the vote. We will treat him first then go into the polls. If he [Imran Khan] takes to the streets.” Rana Sanaullah said that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, who has been living in London since November 2019, will return to Pakistan before the general elections.
Rana Sanaullah brushed off former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s warning that he would hold protests in Pakistan if elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies are not held within 90 days of their dissolution, Geo News reported. He said that PTI threatened the government in May 2022, however, Imran Khan “did not find a way to escape” on May 25.
As per the news report, PML-N will begin its campaign on May 28. The development came after a meeting between Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in London. Shehbaz Sharif visited London to attend the coronation ceremony of King Charles III.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan a “liar” and “cunning person from head to toe.” He said Imran Khan’s lies are now being exposed in front of Pakistan, The Express Tribune reported.
Shehbaz Sharif said that the narrative made against him by the PTI government was on the basis of lies. He said that attempt was made to collect evidence against him in New Zealand and other nations, as per The Express Tribune report.
Shehbaz Sharif’s statement came while speaking to journalists in London where he attended the coronation of King Charles III. He also met Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif during his visit. Shehbaz Sharif also met Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf. (ANI)
How Imran Khan and Pervaiz Elahi have politically outsmarted Nawaz and his party’s calculations came as a bitter surprise for the Leaguers.
After having received serious political blows, one after the other, from Imran Khan in Punjab province during the last two consecutive days, the PML-N London is considering coming back to Pakistan before it is too late, the media reported.
For some in the party, it is already too late and now there is not much that can be done because of the irreparable political cost that the PML-N has to pay because of its early last year decision of removing the Imran Khan government and coming into power, The News reported.
For the bad luck of the N-League, Shehbaz Sharif-led PDM government is also not performing and the issues like worsening economic conditions and price hike are contributing to further unpopularity of the party.
“We had thought that through our good governance and economic turnaround, the PMLN would get its popularity back but that is happening mainly because of growing financial challenges and price hike,” a senior PMLN leader said.
Imran Khan at PTI Azadi March (Twitter)
The party sources admit that ever since the removal of the Imran Khan government, the popularity of the PML-N is on decline whereas PTI is going up and up, The News reported.
The last two days, it is said, were shocking for the PML-N and its top leadership.
How Imran Khan and Pervaiz Elahi have politically outsmarted Nawaz and his party’s calculations came as a bitter surprise for the Leaguers.
Nawaz and Maryam, both of whom are in London, were assured that neither Pervaiz Elahi has a majority to get a vote of confidence nor there is any chance of the provincial assembly’s dissolution.
To their utter disappointment, Imran Khan succeeded on both counts.
While the PML-N top leadership in London was not over with the shock of a successful vote of confidence by Pervaiz Elahi, it got another shock the very next day when the latter signed the advice for the dissolution of the Punjab Assembly.
According to a report following the Wednesday night events, Nawaz had reportedly conveyed his anger to the party’s Punjab leadership and had directed it to ensure the Punjab Assembly is not dissolved. It could not be prevented either.
Maryam Nawaz was already planning to come back mid-February but after the PML-N having been seriously jolted by Imran Khan’s moves in Punjab, the London leadership is reconsidering their plan.
Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz Sharif (Photo Courtesy Twitter@MaryamNSharif)
Now besides Maryam, there is also consideration about the timing of Nawaz Sharif’s return. In case of election date for Punjab, it is said, both may hurriedly rush to Pakistan, The News reported.
Imran Khan’s politics, supported by the failures of the PDM government in Islamabad, it is admitted, has considerably shrunk the political space for the PML-N in Punjab, which has been the party’s stronghold for the last few decades.
“Expecting from Shehbaz Sharif government and the PML-N’s second tier leadership to create space for the top London leadership to come and make the party popular like before is a faulty policy,” a PML-N leader said.
He added that the leadership does not wait for the space to be created by others but it through its own charisma and political moves wins the hearts and minds of the people. For this, it is said, the London leadership has to come to Pakistan.
The PML-N source said that now there is no hurdle in the return of Nawaz Sharif, The News reported.
Following the appointment as Vice President, Maryam Nawaz has formally become the second senior-most leader in the party after Shehbaz Sharif, reports Asian Lite News
There is quite an uneasiness among the seasoned second tier leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) over the appointment of Maryam Nawaz as senior vice president and chief organiser of the party.
Sources in the PML-N lament that there has been no consultation done prior to making this appointment, which has made Maryam Nawaz the third most powerful figure in the party after her father Nawaz Sharif and uncle Shehbaz Sharif, the sitting Prime Minister, The News reported.
Many senior party leaders are upset with this appointment, The News reported.
Following the recent notification issued by the PML-N president, Maryam Nawaz has formally become the second senior-most leader in the party after Shehbaz Sharif.
Officially because of the Supreme Court’s decision, Nawaz Sharif cannot hold any office in the PML-N’s hierarchy but he continues to be the party’s supreme leader.
“This decision is undemocratic and is aimed at furthering the Sharifs’ political dynasty,” a senior PML-N leader told The News.
I am truly honoured and humbled by the confidence you have reposed in me. I firmly believe that only PMLN has the capacity to deliver and make Pakistan progress to its fullest potential. I pray to The Almighty to guide & help me to live up to your expectations, Insha'Allah. https://t.co/kvWPIEGSG5
He said that hardly any senior party leader outside the Sharif family was consulted while making this appointment.
Now Maryam Nawaz becomes the second senior-most after President Shehbaz Sharif for being both the senior vice president and chief organiser.
One of the PML-N leaders lamented that the Sharif family or those closely associated with them have the first right to hold every key positions whether within the party or in the government.
He, said that the PML-N’s supreme leader is Nawaz Sharif, his younger brother is President of PML-N and also the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Nawaz Sharif’s daughter Maryam Nawaz is senior vice president and chief organiser of PMLN. Shehbaz Sharif’s elder son Hamza Shehbaz is the opposition leader in Punjab. Ignoring all others, Hamza was picked up as Punjab chief minister last year while his father was the Prime Minister of Pakistan, The News reported.
Many in the party think that the likes of Khawaja Saad Rafique and Malik Ahmad Khan would have been much better choice for the office of Punjab chief minister but the Sharif family decided in favour of their own son. Hamza, however, could survive as Punjab Chief Minister hardly for a few months.
(Photo courtesy: Twitter/@MaryamNSharif)
None of the two sons of Nawaz Sharif are interested in politics whereas Shehbaz Sharif’s younger son Suleman Shehbaz is looking after the family business.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, who is closely related to Nawaz Sharif, is again quite influential within the party because of the same reason.
Dar is also the President of PML-N’s overseas chapter. Nawaz Sharif’s son-in-law and Maryam’s spouse Capt (R) Safdar is the President of PML-N’s Youth Wing, The News reported.
According to a PML-N leader, even Junaid Safdar, the son of Maryam Nawaz, is being propagated by the party’s social media team as the future of N-League.
Junaid, however, has not yet joined politics.
The senior PML-N leadership outside the Sharif family will even be subordinate to Junaid when he will be in politics, a party source said, adding that democracy has taken a back seat with regard to internal politics of PML-N, The News reported.
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif directed his party workers to not let Imran Khan off the hook after ECP report had emerged, reports Asian Lite News
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Vice President Maryam Nawaz has advised Prime Minister Imran Khan to be ready, as the “time for accountability has come.”
Maryam’s remarks came after PM Imran Khan’s statement regarding the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) report, which revealed that PTI has hidden foreign funding worth millions of rupees. Khan welcomed the investigation by the ECP’s scrutiny committee, which has reportedly revealed that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) allegedly failed to disclose millions of rupees to the ECP, according to News International.
Taking to her official Twitter handle, Maryam questioned why did he [Imran Khan] not let the case proceedings continue for the last seven years.
“Why did you [Imran Khan] keep hiding for so many years and then kept begging that the report should not be released?” she questioned.
Pakistan’s ruling party PTI headed by the Prime Minister is under scanner after a report compiled by the ECP on its funding.
(Image Credits: ANI)
The Election Commission of Pakistan’s report stated the PTI provided ‘false information’ regarding the party’s funding. It’s said that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) statement revealed that the party had received Rs 1.64 million in funding.
Imran Khan had earlier said that the more their accounts are scrutinized, the more factual clarity will emerge for the nation to see how the PTI is the “only political party with a proper donor base premised on proper political fundraising”.
On the other hand, Imran Khan mentioned that he was looking forward to seeing similar ECP scrutiny reports on the funding of two other major political parties, PPP and PML-N.
Don’t let Imran off the hook: Nawaz Sharif
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif directed his party workers to not let Imran Khan off the hook after ECP report has emerged.
“Do not let (prime minister) Imran Khan off the hook as he has been caught red-handed while stealing money through the party’s foreign funding. His so-called honest image has completely been shattered and he should be exposed before the nation,” Nawaz told a party meeting, which was attended by its central and Punjab leadership, including Shehbaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz, in Model Town here on Thursday via video link, reported Dawn.
He told the party members to not allow both houses of Parliament to run smoothly until “justice” is served.
Imran Khan mentioned that he was looking forward to seeing similar ECP scrutiny reports on the funding of two other major political parties, PPP and PML-N.
According to a party member, Nawaz Sharif told PML-N leaders not to let the subject die down until it reaches its natural conclusion.
Nawaz Sharif, who has been in the UK for ‘medical treatment’ since November 2019, urged the participants to expose Prime Minister Imran Khan’s alleged fraud on all platforms.
The PML-N supreme leader, Shehbaz Sharif, has been told to begin convening workers’ conventions at the district and divisional levels in Punjab, in order to mobilise party members ahead of the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM), planned an anti-inflation march on Islamabad in March.
“Don’t let the National Assembly, Punjab Assembly and Senate run smoothly, and aggressively agitate this matter in which the true face of Imran Khan has been exposed,”, he was quoted as saying.
“We don’t have to allow an easy escape to ‘the selected’ on this matter,” he maintained.
According to a party source, taking the case to court was also discussed, but no decision was reached. “The party will first see what action the ECP takes,” he said.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
“Nawaz Sharif also directed the party leadership to gear up for a decisive anti-inflation march on Islamabad proposed by the PDM in March. For this purpose, the former PM said workers’ conventions should be held at the district and divisional levels and also re-organisation of the party completed at the district level at the earliest,” an insider said, reported Dawn News.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has also scheduled a long march against the PTI government in Islamabad on February 27. (ANI)
