Will contest elections in 2018 if party elders want me to: Maryam Nawaz

The PML-N government will complete its tenure and come in power again, says premier's daughter

Maryam Nawaz, who has been updating the nation on the progress of her father, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, since he underwent an open heart surgery, lent some credence to rumours that she will be her father’s political successor.

Speaking to Gharida Farooqi on her show, G for Gharida, Maryam said on Thursday she was willing to contest 2018 elections if her party, the PML-N, considered her worthy.



Answering a question as to whether she would be contesting the elections in 2018, Maryam said, "What I think does not count, what party elders, senior members and the head of the party think matters more. If they would like me to contest elections, then I'm always available. However, if they think it would be better that I stay in the background and assist them wherever I can, then that is also acceptable to me."

The former chairperson of PM's Youth Programme said she was confident the incumbent government would complete its tenure and come in power, again.

Dismissing rumours about rifts within the family, she said, “Mine and Hamza’s relationship is just like Nawaz and Shahbaz Sharif's.”

When asked if there was a threat of an imminent martial law in the country, Maryam replied, “Disruptive elements are present everywhere but the government will complete its tenure.”



The PM’s daughter, who has been leading the nation’s prayers for her father, informed he had spoken to her via telephone the previous night for the first time since his surgery and had assured her that he was fast recovering.

PM Nawaz would likely be shifted to a private room on Thursday night, she added.

The PM's daughter said the premier had sent a message through her doctors, directing her to pay out compensation to those affected by the storm in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.