PML-N absorbs Bilawal’s tirade with equanimity

PPP chairman had said that like Imran, Nawaz was also a ‘selected’ premier

LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) has decided not to harshly react to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman’s diatribe against their party leadership.

On Saturday, Bilawal had said that like Imran Khan, PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif was also a “selected” prime minister.

“Before Imran Khan, Nawaz Sharif was a selected prime minister. Benazir Bhutto did not allow him to become Ameerul Momeneen (emir of Muslims) and led a vibrant opposition with just 17 members in the National Assembly (in 1997),” he said.

The PPP chairman claimed that following the footsteps of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the PML-N also did not give importance to parliament.

“Like the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, the PML-N also does not give importance to parliament. The role of opposition leader in the National Assembly is important but he [Shehbaz] is in London. We hope that he will return soon and play his role as opposition leader,” he said.



Responding to Bilawal’s comments, a PML-N lawmaker said that his party had decided to officially ignore the PPP chairman’s statement for now.

“Bilawal, who is trying to jump-start his political career in Punjab, is using cheap tactics by digging out hatchets that were buried prior to (the signing of the) charter of democracy,” he said.

“The PML-N does not want to further divide the opposition as it feels that there is a dire need for all of mainstream opposition parties to unite against this ‘incompetent’ government,” he added.

The PML-N leader claimed that Bilawal was advised by Aitzaz Ahsan to give such a hard-hitting statement against the PML-N leadership with the hope to woo the Punjab voters.

“PPP thinks that Bilawal is a charismatic leader and by giving these statements, he will be able to make a space for himself in Punjab,” he noted.

PML-N provincial spokesperson Azma Bukhari also held the similar views saying the PPP targeted the PML-N to make space for itself in Punjab.

She said that the PML-N was in a position to respond to the PPP chairman’s remarks but the party decided against confrontation.

Commenting on Shehbaz Sharif’s return to the country, she maintained that Nawaz’s cardiac procedure was expected next week and the PML-N president would only be able to decide (about his return) after the party supremo’s treatment.

Another PML-N legislator was of the view that Bilawal was making an attempt to win the disgruntled Punjab voters.

He added that the PPP also wanted to shrug off the impression of being the B team of the PML-N.

He said PTI would continue lose a large chunk of its voters in the province due to bad performance.

The PML-N leader noted some opposition parties were of the view that PTI had lost the “backing” of the establishment which was not true.

“PTI is still under their [establishment] umbrella,” he said and added “no deal is in the offing between the PML-N and establishment”.

Meanwhile, supporting the statement of his party chairman, PPP leader Chaudary Manzoor said that there was nothing wrong with what Bilawal had said.

He said that all parties’ conference was not an alliance but a platform to discuss issues.