Nawaz claims only a few turncoats ditched party

• Says people in Punjab know development in province is unparalleled 
• Shehbaz gets interviewed by the party’s parliamentary panel for ticket
• Former Punjab CM, Maryam to contest elections from three seats each

LAHORE: Former premier Nawaz Sharif Sunday said that only a few turncoats left Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the front made by these turncoats for the cause of south Punjab, Janubi Punjab Sooba  Mahaaz (JPSM), died down within two days.

Nawaz said this while addressing the parliamentary board of his party.

He went on to say that the people in Punjab acknowledge that the amount of development work in the province in the past 10 years is unparalleled, adding that negative propaganda is a part of the politics and he has been seeing it since the day he joined politics.

The PML-N has announced to make the first phase of announcements for party candidates for the national and provincial assembly constituencies for the general election scheduled for July 25.

The party had earlier stated candidates would be announced in two phases. However, a date for the second phase is yet to be announced.

The session is being attended by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, former Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Sanaullah, Asif Ashraf and Rana Mashood among others.

During the meeting, the above mentioned are interviewing aspirants for PML-N tickets.

Shehbaz, who was appointed PML-N president after a Supreme Court ruling ordering the removal of Nawaz as party chief, was also interviewed by the party’s parliamentary panel.

“[Mian] Nawaz Sharif [sb], you are the party ‘quaid’ and it is your decision whether to give me a ticket or not,” Shehbaz said before the party board.

The former Punjab chief minister was questioned regarding his performance and future plans during the interview.

Nomination papers of PML-N leader Shehbaz Sharif were received by the party leaders in Karachi on Sunday. Shehbaz Sharif has submitted nomination papers for NA-248, NA-249, and NA-250.

According to reports, this time around, the party would give majority tickets to those who were previously members of the national or provincial assemblies.

Reports also said regarding Maryam Nawaz and Shehbaz that they both will contest elections from three constituencies each. “Maryam has been recommended to contest from Karachi as well.”

Furthermore, Nawaz and Shehbaz are said to be at loggerheads over issuing a party ticket to former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar. It is further believed that alternate candidates will be fielded for some party leaders who are facing cases.