PML-N lawmakers concerned over inactivity in Punjab

PML-N MNA laments sole reliance on Maryam for leading rallies a 'counterproductive policy'

LAHORE:

PML-N parliamentarians have voiced their concerns during a meeting chaired by PM Shehbaz Sharif regarding the party’s inactivity in Punjab and have proposed different solutions to address the issue, a PML-N MNA revealed on Friday.

The party seems to be losing steam in the province as no activities were being organised by the party to up the morale of its workers, a party leader complained while speaking to The Express Tribune on the condition of anonymity.

He said that both recent by-elections have dealt a big blow to the party amid rising inflation in the country.

However, the leader noted the ‘silver lining’ in the ECP’s decision to disqualify PTI chief Imran Khan and expressed optimism that it had given PML-N much-needed breathing space.

He stressed that the party should now seize the opportunity and spring into action.

He went on to say that the party's decision to solely rely on Maryam Nawaz to lead rallies was a counterproductive policy and pointed out that other senior leaders are equally capable of holding sizable rallies in their respective areas.

The PML-N leader also revealed that MNAs have conveyed their concerns and suggestions to the party president, during a parliamentary meeting.

He lamented that since the departure of Maryam Nawaz, party provincial leadership seems to have adopted a passive policy, especially those tasked with the party’s provincial chapter responsibilities.

He suggested that second-tier leaders should fall in line and serve the party, instead of forging ties with a certain camp. He further said that the provincial chapter should focus on provincial responsibilities and leave the central party leadership to deal with the national issues.

Hamza Shehbaz, according to his party, has some health issues owing to which he is actively looking after party affairs.

Meanwhile, MNA Waheed Alam Khan while talking to The Express Tribune that there were in fact two meetings held a day before, one presided over by the prime minister and the other presided over by the interior minister.

He said that it was felt by the party that activities need to be scaled up. He said that the party was facing a tough time, owing to inflation, an issue that it inherited from the PTI’s government.

Secondly, he said, the party leadership was busy dealing with post-flood crises and added that for PML-N, their duties towards the public were more important than their own political future. He said that on Thursday when these meetings were held, we had not known about the ECP decision, but still many proposals were presented before the PM.

He said that proposals were however limited to reorganizing party portfolios. To a question, he said that as of now there were no plans of holding any rallies in Punjab.