PKONWEB Report – Punjab’s major political party Pakistan Muslim-Nawaz (PML-N) led by Sharif brothers is undergoing changes as party thought-leaders re-calibrate it to maintain its stronghold in the largest province.
Considered still a formidable challenge to PM Khan-led PTI government at the center and in the province, the party has been maintaining a hunkered down posture until recently.
Observers say the re-branding of PML-N seems to be in the works along with changes in figureheads. One source privy to the developments, said the party could be gearing up for what he called snap election or a similar, without elaborating details.
Most of the former party lawmakers have been pushed into the frontline, as though a shadow cabinet is in place- PPP an ally more than a nemesis, remains in wilderness even though its top leaders Asif Zardari, Faryal Talpur, Bilawal Bhutto, et al remain in the limelight, observers said.
Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has been appointed senior vice president of the PML-N, while Maryam Nawaz has been made vice president in a major reshuffle in the party on Friday.
The reorganization comes after the Sharif family surrendered two important parliamentary positions due to party president Shahbaz Sharif’s expected long stay in London for medical treatment.
Nawaz Sharif, the former, ousted premier and PML-N supremo will be heading back to the jail as the six-week bail period on medical grounds comes to a close tomorrow. The convicted PML-N supremo had his petition of an extension to his bail period turned down by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, last week.
A statement issued by the PML-N media cell, the party president made the announcements after consultation with PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif over the decisions.
According to the PML-N statement, Abbasi has been appointed senior vice president of the party while Ahsan Iqbal has been made the general secretary. The reshuffle will see Marriyum Aurangzeb being retained as secretary information and the party’s spokesperson, while former finance minister Ishaq Dar will take over responsibilities as president of the party’s international affairs committee.
Former Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has been retained as secretary information and spokesperson of the Party.
Former Finace Minister Ishaq Dar has been given the responsibility of president International Affairs Committee of the Party.
After PML-N surrendered two important Parliamentary positions due to party President Shahbaz Sharif’s expected long stay in London for his medical treatment, a major reshuffle (re-organization) has been made in the Party
PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Ishaq Dar will also be members of the PML-N economic advisory council. The restructuring sees the inclusion of Nawaz Sharif’s daughter, Maryam Nawaz, as one of 16 vice presidents of the party.
At the provincial levels, Rana Sanaullah has been appointed president of the PML-N Punjab, and Sardar Awais Leghari as general secretary of the provincial chapter. In Sindh, Miftah Ismail will serve as general secretary of the party’s provincial chapter, while Ali Akbar Gujjar has been appointed as its senior vice president.
The other vice presidents (total 16) include Abid Sher Ali, Ayaz Sadiq, Barjees Tahir, Dr Darshan Lal Punchi, Hamza Shehbaz Sharif, Khawaja Saad Rafiq, Khurram Dastgir, Mian Javed Latif, Muhammad Zubair, Mushahid Ullah Khan, Nelson Azeem, Pervaiz Rasheed, Raheela Durrani, Rana Tanveer Hussain and Sardar Mehtab Khan.
In a related development, former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar on Sunday said he has repeatedly said that he is not part of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) anymore. “I have been part of the PML-N for a long time. I do politics of honor not of power,” said one-time close confidante of Sharif brothers, while addressing a press conference. “I have a strong relationship with Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s family but I have said many times I am not part of PML-N,” the senior politician reiterated.
The former interior minister leader who had a fallout with the Sharifs post-Panamagate case, said it will be sheer hypocrisy from his part if he takes the oath of Punjab Assembly seat.
The provincial lawmaker elect said a trap is being set up to weaken Pakistan on multiple fronts. He said calling everyone dacoit and looter won’t work as battles are won by taking the nation into confidence.
He predicted that by October, massive inflation will hit Pakistan and the entire nation will be on streets. “The deflation of currency and increase in petroleum prices will adversely impact the poor people. People should be given relief by the government,” he added.
