PML-N leaders ‘upset’ over Maryam Nawaz’s promotion in party
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz’s promotion as party’s senior vice-president and chief organiser did not receive well by senior leadership, according to sources.
Sources within PML-N said that there was no consultation made with senior stalwarts regarding the appointment.
Following the promotion, Maryam Nawaz has become the third most powerful person in the party after her father Nawaz Sharif and uncle Shehbaz Sharif.
According to the notification issued by the PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif, who is also the prime minister, Maryam Nawaz has officially become the second most senior leader in the party.
As per the decision of the Supreme Court (SC), Nawaz Sharif could not hold any position in the PML-N, but he is still the supremo of the party.
A senior party source, on condition of anonymity, told that the decision is ‘undemocratic’ and will strengthen the Sharif family’s grip on the party. He said that no senior leader of the party outside the Sharif family was consulted regarding the appointment.
PML-N senior leaders like Khawaja Asif, Tanveer Hussain, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Ahsan Iqbal, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Raja Zafarul Haq will now work under Maryam Nawaz.
A senior official of the PML-N lamented that the Sharif family and those closest to them have the first right to hold every important postitions, whether it is a party or a government post.
Many party leaders believe that Khawaja Saad Rafique or Malik Ahmed Khan were suitable candidates for the post of Punjab’s Chief Minister in Punjab instead of Hamza Shehbaz, who was elected last year following no-trust-motion in the assembly.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar is closer to Nawaz Sharif because his son is married to Nawaz’s daughter and therefore has a lot of influence in the party. Dar also holds the presidentship of the overseas chapter of PML-N.
Nawaz Sharif’s son-in-law and Maryam Nawaz’s husband Captain (retd) Safdar is the president of the youth wing of the PML-N.
Referring to Junaid Safdar’s entry in politics, PML-N leader (anonymous) said that if he joins politics then senior leadership also have to work under his commands. He further said that word ‘democracy’ has nothing to do with the internal politics of the PML-N.
Party’s top hierarchy:
Supreme Leader: Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Sharif
President: Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif
Senior Vice-President: Maryam Nawaz
Punjab’s opposition leader: Hamza Shehbaz
