- Her differences with Shehbaz come forth
PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif’s daughter Maryam Nawaz has been very categorical in saying that party President Shehbaz Sharif’s proposal for a ‘charter of economy’ was his personal opinion, and that a final decision on such a charter would be taken by Mian Nawaz. That did not just indicate her own unease at such a charter, but also the struggle for the leadership of the party, which is now coming out into the open. Ms Maryam made her declaration at a press conference on Saturday, which was full of criticism of the government over its budget, and which would have been a Budget Speech had she been an MNA. It may be remembered that Mian Shehbaz had proposed a ‘charter of economy’ during his own speech on the Budget as Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly.
Ms Maryam also indicated that she was the gatekeeper, not Mian Shehbaz. This would only increase difficulty of Mian Shehbaz’s task as PML-N President. A signal is being sent to party leaders and followers, from MNAs down, not to obey Mian Shehbaz’s commands, or, as in this case, to support his ideas, not unless they have received prior approval from Mian Nawaz. Ms Maryam has already established herself as Mian Nawaz’s spokesperson, and it is being seen that her rejection of the ‘charter of economy’ idea carries Mian Nawaz’s imprimatur. It is well known that she is sedulous in translating Mian Nawaz’s aggressive instincts to vehemently oppose the establishment, and that Mian Shehbaz continues to espouse the view that instead of opposition, there should be reconciliation.
The PML-N is already a party whose eponymous leader is behind bars, while a number of prominent leaders have joined him, mainly through NAB prosecutions. At this juncture, for its cadres to not know what to criticise or what to support, is dangerous for the entire political system. If the party is divided within itself, it will be that much less effective in mobilising public opinion because the party cadres will not know who is speaking for Mian Nawaz. Even this time, Ms Maryam was careful to say that she was not contradicting her uncle, but can no longer be assumed, as it has been, that Mian Shehbaz is expressing Mian Nawaz’s views, down to the nuances.
