Divide in PML-N Created by Shahbaz Sharif Getting Obvious

The swelling difference of opinion in the top brass of Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) is creating an impression of something shrouding in secrecy and apparently, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly (NA) Shahbaz Sharif is trying to tighten his grip over the party with divide and rule policy.

PML-N Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif chaired a party meeting via videolink on Wednesday.

It was attended by PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Musadik Masood Malik, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Pervaiz Rashid, and others.

However, two key leaders including Hamza Shahbaz and PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz remained absent from it.

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According to well-placed sources, the Sharif brothers held different viewpoints over the return of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).

PML-N head agreed on the return of PPP in the opposition coalition but on the condition if it drops opposition leadership in the Senate.

Earlier, PPP had sought the support of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), part of the government coalition, for getting Yousuf Raza Gillani elected on the post of opposition leader in the upper house. This act had served as the bone of contention between PDM parties and PPP.

At this, Shahbaz Sharif held the view that PML-N had also developed consensus with the government coalition for avoiding polling on 11 seats of Punjab in the Senate and all members were elected unopposed. Shahbaz’s stance was backed by some of his like-minded senior party leaders too.

To dispel the impression of division, Mian Nawaz Sharif advised the party members to develop unity in their lines.

Later in a media talk in Islamabad on Wednesday, PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz denied that the party discussed PPP’s return and maintained that it was a routine gathering of senior party leaders.

After his release on bail from Kot Lakhpat Jail, PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif is vying to bring back PPP in the PDM unconditionally. For this purpose, he is rigorously trying to persuade the leadership of different political parties that are part of the alliance.

He had recently hosted a dinner in which he invited parties in the opposition alliance as well as PPP. However, the top brass of PML-N doesn’t seem in agreement with the opposition leader Sharif but he still has the support of some prominent figures in the party who are along the same lines.

The political observers believe that Shahbaz is possibly willing to tighten his grip over the party in the absence of Nawaz Sharif and trying to instill his narrative among the senior party leaders.