As the Sharif family convenes for their summer retreat in the scenic Galiyat region, headlines suggest a wide range of political matters are under discussion.
A confidant of one of the Sharifs, also a member of the prime minister's team, quietly hinted at the possibility of former Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz being assigned an important portfolio at the Centre.
Hamza Shehbaz, who had largely withdrawn from the political spotlight after twice losing the chief ministership in the outgoing setup, was occasionally featured in headlines when party leaders paid him courtesy visits, but nothing more than that.
Known for his grassroots political grounding, Hamza was once seen as the party's man in the saddle when it came to provincial politics.
However, the outcome of the 20-seat by-elections during his tenure - where the party lost nearly three-quarters of the seats - is said to have drawn the ire of the elder Sharifs.
It is pertinent to mention that Hamza Shehbaz had taken charge of Punjab during a particularly turbulent period for the PML-N, a stark contrast to his successor Maryam Nawaz, who many within the party believe received her position on a silver platter.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, instead of drawing on Hamza's deep-rooted political experience, appeared to sideline him entirely from provincial affairs, effectively reducing his stature to that of a prime minister's son.
However, according to sources close to the younger Sharif, Hamza Shehbaz is now slated for a key role in the federal government.
When asked whether Hamza would be re-entering Punjab's political landscape, the source said: "Hamza Shehbaz will be given a role in the central government - and given his new position's overarching domain, he will certainly have influence in Punjab. After all, this is his home turf."
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