Differences may not remain manageable

A house divided

With Nawaz Sharif abroad for a number of weeks the media is abuzz with stories of rivalries between top party leaders. Bureaucracy, it is said, tends to take Maryam Nawaz’s directives lightly. During the budget session there were reports about four dozen PML-N MNAs having formed a pressure group. It was maintained that they were unhappy as the government had ignored the agriculturists’ lobby. On Tuesday Shahbaz Sharif was reported to have met a group of party parliamentarians to assure them of the resolution of their issues at the earliest. The fact that the government succeeded in getting the budget passed indicates that the dissensions were within manageable limits, at least for the time being.

Reports about rifts in the PML-N are not new. It is widely known that some of the key cabinet members have not been on speaking terms for years. The PML-N was badly divided over the Punjab government’s Women Protection Bill. With Nawaz Sharif in the driving seat, the party managed to paper over the differences. There is a perception that Nawaz Sharif is the only PML-N leader who enjoys the loyalty of the party rank and file. While he is expected to be back in a fortnight’s time, many doubt if he will have the energy needed to perform the functions of the prime minister, foreign minister and PML-N chief efficiently.

After he returns home the prime minister needs to reduce some of his burden. It is highly advisable to appoint a full time foreign minister. The coming two years will be particularly stormy and hectic. In case no agreement is reached on the ToRs, the opposition is likely to take to the streets. Whatever the outcome of the Panama issue, election activities will start by the middle of 2017. Nawaz Sharif is also keen to launch Maryam Nawaz as his political heir-apparent. Keeping all the present offices, Nawaz Sharif might find that the differences in the PML-N on some of the issues are no more manageable