Hamza unfazed by Hudabiya case; Maryam claims unity

Two leaders deny rifts within party or leadership

LAHORE: Member of the National Assembly Hamza Shehbaz acted as cool as a cucumber when asked about the re-opening of the Hudabiya Papers Mills case during a media address at his constituency, NA-119.

While the party leadership runs around creating a hue and cry about the issue, Hamza laughed off the question, responding that “the case does not matter… what matters is that one should present himself for accountability, especially when there’s nothing to hide”.



Hamza continued towing the Shehbaz camp rhetoric that avoids openly criticising state institutions as opposed to the Nawaz camp that adopted a much more aggressive approach.

He said he had been to jail for six months in relation to the Hudabiya case while he was a student at the Government College Lahore.

“These cases are not new for us and we have faced them before as well,” he said, claiming that they would be victorious in the Hudabiya case.

While talking about the courts, he chose his words very carefully, only stating that he had reservations regarding some decisions that had been taken.

He stressed the importance of the continuity of democratic process in Pakistan, adding that at least the recent amendment had paved the way for general elections. He said matters would now be taken to the court of the masses and “we should let them decide”.

Dispelling the rumours of a rift in the party, Hamza said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) stood united behind the leadership of Nawaz Sharif, who rid the country of loadshedding and terrorism.

When asked about Finance Minister Ishaq Dar’s return from London, he said he had served his country and would come back.

Coincidently, the same day, Maryam Nawaz also visited her mother’s constituency, NA-120, from where she plans to contest in the next elections.

Maryam also denied any rifts in the party or amongst the leadership. She asked where the defections of 72 leaders from the party were as rumoured. “I can’t see any,” she added.



She said breaking the party might be the desire of some, but they would be thoroughly disappointed. She reiterated that the party was united behind Nawaz.

When asked about party members being forced and frightened to quit the party, she said in this day and age, “people do not keep quiet… scared or not, they speak up”.

She also informed the press that the health of her mother Begum Kulsoom Nawaz is improving. Maryam also visited various areas of the NA-120 constituency.