As the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) continues to flex its political muscle against Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government, its own internal unity appears to be fractured.
According to one insider, the party appears to be divided internally. “There are two visible factions in the party. One is loyal to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and the other, to his younger brother and former Punjab chief minister, Shehbaz Sharif,” the party official revealed, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
The party’s decision to leave the provincial legislature, he said, will be the ultimate test for PML-N’s unity. Ahead of the party’s December 31 deadline to quit the provincial assembly, more than 100 lawmakers have submitted their resignations to the leadership. Out of the 100, the party official said, majority belong to the former prime minister’s bloc.
While the PML-N has publicly denied all reports about internal rifts, the party’s presence at the power showdown at Minar-e-Pakistan was mostly limited to the former prime minister’s bloc.
“There is no disagreement in PML-N regarding resignations. All parties, including the PML-N are on the same page,” said Marriyum Aurangzeb, who represents the party as its central spokesperson.
According to details provided by another insider, PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz expressed her concerns about the weak presence of party members at the Minar-e-Pakistan gathering, under the 11-party alliance named Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).
On the other hand, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) believes the former prime minister’s party is on the verge of breaking into several small groups. “They are internally fractured. I wouldn’t be surprised if they break into PML-N, PML-P, and PML-M,” quipped Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Special Assistant to the chief minister of Punjab.
Taking a potshot at the PML-N’s decision to quit the provincial legislature, Awan said: “They are playing games. These are old tricks.”
Responding to a question about the ruling party’s strategy, Awan said, “As soon as they (PML-N lawmakers) quit, we will hold fresh elections in the province.”
Former prime minister Sharif’s party is one of the main players in the 11-party alliance against the government. The ousted prime minister’s daughter and party’s vice president, Maryam Nawaz, has made several fiery speeches at rallies organized by Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).
While the rumor mill has been churning out reports about internal rifts, Marriyum Aurangzeb, the party’s central spokesperson, reiterated that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is the leader and Shehbaz Sharif is PML-N’s president. “There are no divisions.”
According to political analysts, a fractured PML-N means PDM will not be able to achieve its goals or mount pressure on the ruling party. “PML-N and other parties must be united internally to be able to fight the government.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 15th, 2020.
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