News Analysis |
In an attempt to settle the dust, Maryam Nawaz stated that she loves Shahbaz Sharif to death. Maryam Nawaz speaking with the New York Times reaffirmed that “there is no divide in the house of Nawaz and the Sharif family takes a lot of pride in family values and the family ethos.”
In a very much expected response to the public condemnation on their alleged part in the Panama case, she remarked that “the cases are politically motivated and nothing more than blatant political victimization and pressure tactics.” She also added that “People remain undeterred, and support for PML-N has further galvanized.”
Nawaz conducted meetings with their closes allies and attempted to gather support from their loyalists. Hamza Shahbaz’s active participation after returning to Pakistan
She was referring to the recent by-election win in NA-120, where PML-N defeated a charged PTI campaign to snatch this critical constituency. It was indeed a significant victory which serves as a facing saving. It reflects that public continues to stand by the party despite ousting the ex-PM on Iqama. She remarked, “It’s a defeat for visible and invisible forces’.
The emergence of Maryam after the Nawaz’s ouster as a potential candidate has not been a surprise. She further added that “Prisons, disqualifications, sham trials, house arrests, court cases — been there, done that,” She claimed that, “I am undeterred, unperturbed, fighting.” It was evident that how defiantly and confidently, she handled the criticism and bravely took on the mighty establishment and judiciary.
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The gossip mill has been a buzz on the alleged rift between the two Sharif brothers. Hamza and his father Mian Shahbaz Sharif both went missing from Kalsoom Nawaz’s campaign which was spearheaded by the politically immature Maryam Nawaz.
Maryam had denied any feud within the family. She categorically stated that ‘Hamaz is my younger brother and these baseless allegations are pitted by media under a certain agenda to malign her family.’
With Nawaz disqualified, and Shahabaz credentials in context of his long spanned good-governance in Punjab, he automatically becomes the best candidate on merit. But, it appears that House of Nawaz wants to keep Premiership at home.
The apparent situation left the gossipmongers to develop conspiracy theories on the ongoing alleged feud within the family. But, to some of the parties loyalists like Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, she is inexperienced. He argued, “Children are only children, they cannot be accepted as leaders.”
Maryam Nawaz politely handled the comments. Speaking with media, she said, ‘Nisar is my elder and ally of my father. I respect him, and he has his way to express things’. She has been her father’s closest advisors and ran a social media brigade against the main political rivals and establishment.
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The rifts were primarily echoed by the Hamza admission of issues within the family. But, speaking with the reporters on multiple occasions, Maryam had denied any feud within the family. She categorically stated that ‘Hamaz is my younger brother and these baseless allegations are pitted by media under a certain agenda to malign her family.’
In a very much expected response to the public condemnation on their alleged part in the Panama case, she remarked that “the cases are politically motivated and nothing more than blatant political victimization
But, within the party, few stayed vocal about the Maryam’s interference in party affairs. The latest was the Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Riaz Hussain Pirzada who had recently urged Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to take over the reins of the ruling party.
Ambitious Maryam and Hamza have been hoping to replace Nawaz after his disqualification. Hamza Shahbaz’s active participation after returning to Pakistan, Nisar-Shahbaz alleged grouping and endless speculations despite Maryam apparent attempts to cool down the rumors, the conspiracy narrative is yet to settle down.
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The fight for ascendency to the top of PML-N primarily now depends on the verdict of Accountability Court. If Nawaz fails to get a rumored deal, and the allegations of corruption are proven, it may end the political ambitions of Maryam, paving the way for Hamza.