News Analysis |
Chief Minister Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif has cautioned his niece, Maryam Nawaz to refrain from attacking the judiciary and the military as it would be damaging for the PML-N and the country. Shahbaz Sharif spoke his mind when Maryam paid a visit at his Model Town residence on Tuesday.
The family meet-up allowed the three cousins Maryam, Hamza Shahbaz and Suleiman Shahbaz to sit together for the first time since the Panama Papers case dislodged Nawaz Sharif from power. The family meeting happened amid rumors about severe differences between the Sharif family. Speculations were making rounds that the meteoric rise of Maryam Nawaz in the PML-N political activities did not go down well with Shahbaz’s son and MNA Hamza Shahbaz.
Hamza Shahbaz, after returning from London echoed the views of his family. In an event at Awaan-e-Iqbal Hamza said that institutional harmony is imperative. Therefore, all of us should work together
The voices talking of a rift between Hamza and Maryam got strengthened when the former disassociated himself from the NA-120 campaign and Maryam led the campaign. Furthermore, Hamza’s departure to London was also linked to a family feud. Maryam Nawaz has been actively whipping up the narrative that his father was ousted because of a conspiracy by hidden forces; watchers of PML-N’s politics have alluded to her ever-increasing clout in the party at the expense of Hamza.
Read more: Why is the Punjab Government not releasing the Baqir Najfi report?
Shahbaz, who has always advocated the need to work along with all institutions of the state called upon Maryam to “observe a ceasefire” because any clash with the judiciary or the military would “be in the interest of neither the country nor the PML-N”. Maryam Nawaz has been actively whipping up the narrative that his father was ousted because of a conspiracy by hidden forces; watchers of PML-N’s politics have alluded to her ever-increasing clout in the party at the expense of Hamza.
Political opponents in Imran Khan and Asif Zardari have often said that Nawaz wants to create an environment wherein the Army could topple the government and make him a political martyr
Maryam took to Twitter to express disappointment over how the niece-uncle meeting was twisted. She tweeted: “[I] Had gone for salam to my Uncle’s [place] where he most lovingly treated me to lavish afternoon tea. Surprised to see the spin given by media!.”
Had gone for salam to my Uncle’s where he most lovingly treated me to lavish afternoon tea. Surprised to see the spin given by media!
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) October 17, 2017
She added that she had a good and pleasant time with his uncle and brothers while saying that those who are trying to drive a wedge between the Sharif family will not succeed. She tweeted: “Had good chat with him, my brothers Hamza, Suleman &other family members. Those who wish to drive a wedge will IA remain unsuccessful as always.”
Had good chat with him,my brothers Hamza,Suleman&other family members. Those who wish to drive a wedge will IA remain unsuccessful as always
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) October 17, 2017
While all appeared normal, sources close to the family assert that due to the very many differences between Hamza and Maryam, elders had to intervene but more efforts are needed to end the tussle. Shahbaz Sharif while inquiring about the health of Ms. Kulsoom Nawaz said: “Confrontation among institutions is not in the best interest of the country.”
Read more: Here they come-The Cockroaches from the Wood works!
A Different Approach?
Pundits have often pointed out to a difference between Nawaz and his younger brother, Shahbaz. While Nawaz Sharif appears to resort to confrontational politics, Shahbaz is known for his pragmatism. In an interview with ace anchor, Wajahat Saeed Khan last week Shahbaz said that his political philosophy is based on cooperation rather than confrontation with the institutions.
Pundits have often pointed out to a difference between Nawaz and his younger brother, Shahbaz. While Nawaz Sharif appears to resort to confrontational politics, Shahbaz is known for his pragmatism
Shahbaz Sharif, in tandem with former interior minister Ch Nisar, has often spoken up against the course which his elder brother follows on suggestions from a group of ministers. Given that PML-N has embedded confrontation as an important plank in its strategy to extricate itself from the political quagmire that it is engulfed in.
Analysts believe that the path that the PML-N is treading on could lead to unneeded instability. Political opponents in Imran Khan and Asif Zardari have often said that Nawaz wants to create an environment wherein the Army could topple the government and make him a political martyr.
Read more: Imran Khan’s Bribery claim adds to allegations of Nawaz’s questionable Modus…
Maryam Nawaz has been actively whipping up the narrative that his father was ousted because of a conspiracy by hidden forces; watchers of PML-N’s politics have alluded to her ever-increasing clout in the party at the expense of Hamza
With PML-N’s government well in place, analysts are intrigued by the constant references to a conspiracy being hatched against democracy. However, critics do concede that the balance has shifted in favor of the military after the Panama Case.
Hamza Shahbaz, after returning from London echoed the views of his family. In an event at Awaan-e-Iqbal Hamza said that institutional harmony is imperative. “Therefore, all of us should work together. I love my forces — army, Rangers, and police. If any harm is done to Pakistan we cannot forgive ourselves,” he said. It would be interesting to see whether Nawaz Sharif reconfigures his ploy to deal with the conundrum, which, as of now, is one of confrontation.