Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz is practically steering the PML-N in the absence of party president Shehbaz Sharif, who is not even consulted on important political decisions.
According to a report in The News, Maryam, due to her hawkish stance, has gained popularity in the party and the public. Her control on the party is strengthened to such an extent that she has stopped “consulting him [Shehbaz] for political advice”.
Quoting an unnamed N-League leader, the report stated that Maryam doesn’t discuss “party’s confrontational approach towards the establishment” with Shehbaz because both stand poles apart on the issue.
But it is Maryam’s word against Shehbaz because it’s supported by her father Nawaz Sharif and Maryam’s the real crowd puller.
Shehbaz Sharif, the party president facing imprisonment on graft charges, is not happy with this new arrangement. He still insists on a “national dialogue to steer the country out of the present crisis”, the report adds.
“Shahbaz Sharif is extremely worried that the outcome of the confrontational strategy could be ugly and could benefit someone else,” the report quotes an aide of Shehbaz as saying. The PML-N president also relayed his reservations to the senior leadership of the party in a meeting.
Also, Shehbaz “firmly believes that PM Imran Khan is targeting him because he is the only acceptable alternative to the establishment”.
“And if there is a process of forming a national government or any future national dialogue, he will be a key player,” the report added.
However, Shehbaz, due to his non-confrontational approach, is losing grip on the party. Whereas, Maryam has proved her as the future leader of the PML-N and the party stalwarts, who don’t agree with her approach, also acknowledge her as de facto president.
