PML-N to commemorate parent party on December 30

Convention likely to mark Nawaz, Maryam’s return to politics

LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is likely to hold a convention in Lahore on December 30 to commemorate the foundation day of its parent party, known in pre-partition days as the All India Muslim League, to formally restart its long halted political activities in the country.

The convention is also expected to mark the formal return of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz to the political arena.

According to senior party leaders, the suggestion to celebrate the Muslim League’s foundation day was floated by Ahsan Iqbal and is likely to be approved at a coming meeting of the PML-N, which will be held at Parliament House due to the arrest of Opposition Leader Shehbaz Sharif.

However, the former interior minister is confident that the convention will be held on December 30. Regarding the participation of Sharif and Maryam, Iqbal said that the party leadership would attend the convention.

Many party leaders, however, remain confused over the decision and are said to be wondering how they can celebrate the foundation day on December 30 as the PML-N was founded in October. Those in knowledge of the suggestion state that the convention is of high importance as the party direly needs a day to resume its political activities and there cannot be a better occasion than this.

One of the leaders close to Sharif said the day might also mark his return to the political arena. “If Sharif and his daughter do decide to attend the convention and restart political activities, it will send the political temperatures to a whole new level,” said the source, adding that their attendance, however, would depend on court verdicts.

Sharif’s close aides added if the decision went in their favour, then there were high chances that Sharif and his daughter would be on the front foot.

It is pertinent to mention that opposition parties, led by the PML-N, submitted a requisition for a National Assembly session to the speaker on November 23. Legally, the session has to be requisitioned in 14 days.

The PML-N has also given the option to the speaker that if a routine session is called by December 10, the party would withdraw its requisition. Sources revealed that Shehbaz would hold the party meeting during the session for approving the proposal to hold the convention.