PML-N chief indicted in third graft reference as party’s Punjab MPAs throw weight behind Shehbaz
Reports say 40 PML-N members gather at Shaukat Lalika’s residence for strengthening Shehbaz’s role in party
Punjab CM meets Nisar, Pirzada, tries to stave off internal clashes between PML-N parliamentarians
LAHORE: All is not well for Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz’s (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif, as on one hand the former PM has been indicted in corruption cases, while on the other hand, he faces rebellion in Punjab, as reports of a forward bloc in party’s Punjab chapter have emerged, strengthening the claims of a growing fissure in the party.
Former PM on Friday was indicted in the Flagship Investment Ltd reference filed against him by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). Nawaz’s sons Hussain and Hasan are also accused in the case and have been declared proclaimed offenders as they have not shown up for any hearing.
While the hearing of the accountability court went ahead, the judge began reading the charges against Nawaz, which were heard by his legal representative Zafir Khan, who, on behalf of Nawaz, pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
These charges state that Nawaz remained FZE Capital’s chairman from 2007-14—the very company that led to his disqualification by the Supreme Court.
The hearing was then adjourned until October 26, when the court will take up all three references against Nawaz and his family.
A day earlier, Nawaz was indicted in the Azizia Steel Mills reference, as well as the Avenfield properties reference, in which his daughter Maryam and son-in-law MNA Capt (retd) Safdar were also indicted.
Like today, Nawaz, through his representative, rejected the charges by pleading ‘not guilty’ and vowed to contest the case.
It is vital to note here that, in all, the NAB has filed three references against the Sharif family and one against Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in the accountability court.
The references against the Sharif family pertain to the Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metals Establishment, their London properties and over dozen offshore companies owned by the family.
INTRA-PARTY COUP?
Meanwhile, according to reports, as many as 40—some have suggested even more—sitting and former members of the Punjab Assembly have decided that Nawaz should step aside as PML-N chief in favour of his brother Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
These reports have further strengthened the notion of a split in the party amid growing fear that party president might be taken down by the court.
These party members gathered at Shaukat Lalika’s residence on Thursday, where they have reportedly called for strengthening Shehbaz’s role in the party in the absence of Nawaz Sharif, as well as suggesting that the Punjab CM be given the reigns of the party.
The sources said that the MPAs were of the view that Nawaz should detach himself from the party in the next elections if he wanted to save himself. “We are against confrontation with the institutions and will not be a part of such policy,” they quoted the MPAs as saying.
This development should be viewed in the backdrop of an earlier press conference by the disgruntled PML-N MNA Riaz Pirzada, who had voiced concern over his name appearing in a purported Intelligence Bureau’s list which contained another 36 of colleagues from South Punjab.
Another development worth noting was the meeting of Maryam Nawaz with Shehbaz’s family.
The meeting—chaired by Provincial Minister Labour and Human Resource Raja Ashfaq Sarwar—was hosted by Shoukat Ali Laleka and attended by the following: Ch Iftikhar Hussain Chachar, PP-188; Arif Mahmood Gill, PP-59; Muhammad Afzal Gill, PP-274; Ch Abdul Razzaq Dhillon, PP-33; Muhammad Asif Malik, PP-41; Malik Muhammad Waris Kallu, PP-42; Ch Muhammad Iqbal, PP-98 ; Syed Hussain Jahania Gardezi, PP-213; Saira Iftikhar, W-331; Nadia Aziz, PP-34; Advocate Ch Tahir Ahmad Sindhu, PP-30; Amir Inayat Khan Shahani, PP-50; Tariq Subhani, PP-125; Rana Muhammad Afzal, PP-128; Muhammad Anis Qureshi, PP-176; Malik Ahmad Saeed Khan, PP-178; Amir Hayat Hiraj, PP-216; Ramesh Singh Arora, NM-368; Muhammad Kazim Ali Pirzada, PP-273; Ch Zahid Akram, PP-282 ; Muhammad Ejaz Shafi, PP-290; Ch Mahmood ul Hassan, PP-294; Farhana Afzal, W-315; and Alia Aftab, W-338.
SHEHBAZ, NISAR REVIEW COUNTRY’S POLITICAL SITUATION:
Elsewhere, Shehbaz Sharif met with former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar.
According to reports, the meeting took place at Nisar’s residence, where the two leaders exchanged views on country’s political situation, as well as issues pertaining to the party.
Sources have revealed that Punjab CM has been holding multiple meetings with PML-N’s top leaders, including Saad Rafique, Ahsan Iqbal and Rana Sanaullah since the last week.
Sources suggest Shehbaz wants to ensure that there is no clash between institutions and is also trying to ensure that MPAs and MNAs don’t confront them.
They added that Punjab CM is trying to stave off internal clashes between parliamentarians.
RIAZ PIRZADA MEETS PUNJAB CM:
In a relevant development, Shehbaz Sharif and Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Riaz Hussain Pirzada held a meeting; however, details of the meeting could not be ascertained.
Despite sketchy details, sources have suggested that Shehbaz tried to allay the disgruntled minister’s concerns.
Earlier, on Thursday, while addressing “Meet the Press” programme in the federal capital, Pirzada suggested that Punjab chief minister would be the best choice to lead the party.
“It will be better for the PML-N if Shehbaz Sharif takes over as the party president until Nawaz Sharif comes out of the problems,” he said.
He added that there will be a vacuum in the party if Shehbaz Sharif was not made the president. Shehbaz Sharif’s advice to the party should be accepted, as he was dealing with the public opinion in a better way, he added.
Commenting on the Pirzada situation, a well-placed source in the ruling party told Pakistan Today that the minister’s tirade was only the first outburst which would be followed by “a series of such revolts”.
“The tirade against Nawaz Sharif is the result of inside bickering in the ruling family. Hamza Shehbaz has started holding direct meetings with the lawmakers of the ruling party, asking them to openly support Shehbaz. More such outbursts are likely in next few days and weeks,” the source added.
Punjab Law Minister, however, has downplayed the whole situation, saying Nawaz Sharif is still the chief of the party and “our leader”.