PML-N bigwigs trying to defuse tensions
Senior leadership believes clash between the Sharif brothers is detrimental for the party’s future
PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
In a bid to iron out differences between the two most powerful camps in PML-N, some senior party leaders who enjoy close association with both the sides are acting as a ‘bridge’ to defuse tensions.
Lately, the party’s central leadership and powerful Punjab chapter have been locked in a serious row apparently after Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been left out of crucial decisions concerning PML-N’s future.
Shehbaz, it is learnt, is not happy with the appointment of party’s acting president while he is slated to become the party president.
Sources in PML-N’s Punjab chapter believe, by appointing acting president, the party’s central leadership has actually attempted “to belittle Shehbaz’s stature”, something that has not gone down well with the Punjab chief minister.
Sardar Yaqoob to be named acting PML-N chief today
This move, the insiders said, may end up like a previous scenario when Shehbaz was slated to become the ‘permanent’ prime minister after Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by Supreme Court on July 28 and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was supposed to be the ‘interim’ PM. However, later, Nawaz had a change of heart and Abbasi has been allowed to continue till the completion of the federal government’s term in June next year.
“Previously, there was an interim PM who occupied permanent seat and now there is an interim president— who knows he too may become a permanent choice,” a PML-N MPA said, requesting anonymity. The party’s Punjab chapter leadership is concerned over the situation, he said.
“Shehbaz is assertive and authoritative—he can overshadow others if given the reins of the party. That’s why Nawaz has been advised to exercise caution.”
Sources said PML-N Chairman Raja Zafarul Haq, Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique and Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq are trying to strike reconciliation between the PML-N’s central and Punjab chapter and have advised both the camps to avoid publicly commenting on internal party affairs.
Difference emerges: Stop disrespecting institutions, Shehbaz tells party leaders
This is the reason that firebrand PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar, conspicuously avoided commenting on party affairs and focussed solely on his presumed achievements as interior minister, the insiders said. Nisar is regarded as a trusted aide of Shehbaz.
Last week, the reports made rounds that Nisar minced no words to criticise the party’s decision to appoint Sardar Yaqoob Khan Nasar as PML-N’s acting chief without consulting the party ranks, at the meeting of PML-N Central Working Committee (CWC) held in Islamabad.
As per electoral laws, PML-N is required to appoint a party chief after appointing an acting chief. “But this is just a ceremonial exercise. The CWC should have met to appoint an acting chief and the next day he (Shehbaz) should have been elevated as the party chief. That the party is going to wait to elect its chief is humiliating for someone as senior as Shehbaz,” the party sources commented.
“There’s a feeling in the party ranks that this clash of titans is detrimental for the party’s future,” the source said adding that Haq, Rafique and Sadiq have frequently visited Lahore in recent days to hold separate meetings with the two Sharifs urging them to avoid conflict
Senior leader PML-N’s Punjab chapter and Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah did not see any uncertainty regarding Shehbaz’s elevation as PML-N’s President. “I don’t know why there should be any confusion in this regard. He [Shehbaz] would head the party as per the plan and there’s no second opinion,” the minister told The Express Tribune.
He said both Sharifs are meeting each other regularly and there is no rift.
Earlier on Saturday, reports surfaced that Shehbaz’s son Hamza was replaced with another PML-N lawmaker Pervaiz Malik to oversee the election campaign of ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s wife Kulsoom Nawaz for NA-120, Lahore. Even though PML-N leadership has denied these reports, the vibes from the ruling camp suggest that all is not well at PML-N top level.
Prior to this episode, Shehbaz is said to have advised his elder brother to cooperate with National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in its ongoing probe in Panamagate case mandated by Supreme Court. However, Nawaz has no plans to appear before NAB, at least for now, on the grounds that the Sharif family has filed a review petition in the top court in Panamagate case.
In a bid to iron out differences between the two most powerful camps in PML-N, some senior party leaders who enjoy close association with both the sides are acting as a ‘bridge’ to defuse tensions.
Lately, the party’s central leadership and powerful Punjab chapter have been locked in a serious row apparently after Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been left out of crucial decisions concerning PML-N’s future.
Shehbaz, it is learnt, is not happy with the appointment of party’s acting president while he is slated to become the party president.
Sources in PML-N’s Punjab chapter believe, by appointing acting president, the party’s central leadership has actually attempted “to belittle Shehbaz’s stature”, something that has not gone down well with the Punjab chief minister.
Sardar Yaqoob to be named acting PML-N chief today
This move, the insiders said, may end up like a previous scenario when Shehbaz was slated to become the ‘permanent’ prime minister after Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by Supreme Court on July 28 and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was supposed to be the ‘interim’ PM. However, later, Nawaz had a change of heart and Abbasi has been allowed to continue till the completion of the federal government’s term in June next year.
“Previously, there was an interim PM who occupied permanent seat and now there is an interim president— who knows he too may become a permanent choice,” a PML-N MPA said, requesting anonymity. The party’s Punjab chapter leadership is concerned over the situation, he said.
“Shehbaz is assertive and authoritative—he can overshadow others if given the reins of the party. That’s why Nawaz has been advised to exercise caution.”
Sources said PML-N Chairman Raja Zafarul Haq, Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique and Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq are trying to strike reconciliation between the PML-N’s central and Punjab chapter and have advised both the camps to avoid publicly commenting on internal party affairs.
Difference emerges: Stop disrespecting institutions, Shehbaz tells party leaders
This is the reason that firebrand PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar, conspicuously avoided commenting on party affairs and focussed solely on his presumed achievements as interior minister, the insiders said. Nisar is regarded as a trusted aide of Shehbaz.
Last week, the reports made rounds that Nisar minced no words to criticise the party’s decision to appoint Sardar Yaqoob Khan Nasar as PML-N’s acting chief without consulting the party ranks, at the meeting of PML-N Central Working Committee (CWC) held in Islamabad.
As per electoral laws, PML-N is required to appoint a party chief after appointing an acting chief. “But this is just a ceremonial exercise. The CWC should have met to appoint an acting chief and the next day he (Shehbaz) should have been elevated as the party chief. That the party is going to wait to elect its chief is humiliating for someone as senior as Shehbaz,” the party sources commented.
“There’s a feeling in the party ranks that this clash of titans is detrimental for the party’s future,” the source said adding that Haq, Rafique and Sadiq have frequently visited Lahore in recent days to hold separate meetings with the two Sharifs urging them to avoid conflict
Senior leader PML-N’s Punjab chapter and Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah did not see any uncertainty regarding Shehbaz’s elevation as PML-N’s President. “I don’t know why there should be any confusion in this regard. He [Shehbaz] would head the party as per the plan and there’s no second opinion,” the minister told The Express Tribune.
He said both Sharifs are meeting each other regularly and there is no rift.
Earlier on Saturday, reports surfaced that Shehbaz’s son Hamza was replaced with another PML-N lawmaker Pervaiz Malik to oversee the election campaign of ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s wife Kulsoom Nawaz for NA-120, Lahore. Even though PML-N leadership has denied these reports, the vibes from the ruling camp suggest that all is not well at PML-N top level.
Prior to this episode, Shehbaz is said to have advised his elder brother to cooperate with National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in its ongoing probe in Panamagate case mandated by Supreme Court. However, Nawaz has no plans to appear before NAB, at least for now, on the grounds that the Sharif family has filed a review petition in the top court in Panamagate case.