PML-N tight-lipped on Shehbaz-Nawaz moot

Insiders believe constitutional amendment, US trip top agenda

LAHORE:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reportedly met his elder brother PML-N President Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, with multiple pressing issues simmering in the pot, ranging from rallying support for the constitutional amendment to a "power appointment" ahead of the premier's visit to the US.

PML-N, however, remained tight lipped over the meetings, asserting they were not aware of the details of the discussion.

Senior PML-N leader Perveiz Rashid reaffirmed that the party was unaware of the meeting and all reports on the topic(s) of discussion were merely based on conjecture.

Though PML-N was left red in the face after its failed attempt to reach a consensus over constitutional amendments, the party remains unrelenting in its bid to pass the same by hook or crook. Analysts believe this is the party's attempt to gain leverage in the Supreme Court before the retirement of the incumbent CJP Qazi Faiz Esa.

JUI-F, seen as an on again, off again ally of the PML-N, was the party that the Nawaz league had pinned its hopes on, despite strained relations in the past.

However, JUI-F held its ground and refused to budge from their position. In this entire episode, PML-N had planned Mian Nawaz Sharif's cameo for the final round. So as per plan, when the party thought that they had managed to soften JUI-F, Nawaz was called to Islamabad where a meeting was planned between the leadership of both sides. This meeting, however, could not take place and Mian Nawaz left for Lahore.

Post this kafuffle, that was squarely blamed on PML-N, the PPP has stepped up to take responsibility of building a consensus for the amendment. This amendment, which reportedly aims to undercut the SC's authority, is being fully backed by the establishment that does not want apex court, under the new CJ, to throw a spanner in its works.