Pakistan

Politicians cash in on Nawaz’s popularity: Latif

PML-N leader rejects claim that his party is the new ‘blue-eyed boy’ of establishment

Our Corresondent November 17, 2023

PML-N leader Javed Latif addressing a press conference in Lahore on August 15. SCREENGRAB

LAHORE:

PML-N stalwart Javed Latif on Thursday came to the defense of his party and sought to remove the stigma of being labeled the establishment’s "blue-eyed boy." He clarified that the political support the party is receiving is being misrepresented, emphasizing that as elections approach, regional political entities seek seat adjustments with the PML-N "because of the popularity of PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif."

Latif expressed these views during a news conference at the party's secretariat in Model Town. Earlier this week, Nawaz Sharif secured backing from over two dozen influential figures in Balochistan, notably former chief minister Jam Kamal Khan. This development occurred as political maneuvers intensified, with the PML-N attempting to court regional players to form a strong alliance against the PPP in the province.

Read PML-N to form national govt: Latif

Having accepted former key leaders of the BAP party into its fold, the PML-N, which had previously criticized BAP and labeled it as an establishment-backed party, had also condemned others for seeking support from BAP. Latif reiterated that the political support the PML-N is gaining is being portrayed in a “wrong manner.” He took a jab at former premier Imran Khan, alleging that the PTI chief was not just involved in alleged corruption worth £190 million.

He claimed that even today, the PTI chairman was playing on “both sides of the wicket.” “One of [Imran’s] lawyers comes from jail and says [they] are ready to ‘beg establishment’ [for the party chairman’s release] whereas the other one says their fight is with the establishment,” he added. Meanwhile, the PML-N has devised a plan and is expected to make a major breakthrough in South Punjab.

Sources within the party revealed that the PML-N has initiated backdoor communication with Khusro Bakhtiar and leaders of the former Junoobi Punjab Suba Mahaz. It is expected that an electoral alliance will be formed after seat adjustments and inclusion of South Punjab electables in the PML-N.