Split Expected in PML-N With Maryam-Shahbaz at Helm

The hegemonic Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) Vice-President Maryam Nawaz is likely to face a hurdle is carrying stern anti-establishment narrative as another admired leader of the party, Hamza Shahbaz Sharif, has been granted bail by Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday.

National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had arrested Hamza Shahbaz in Ramzan sugar mills, money laundering, and assets beyond means cases after LHC had turned down his applications for extension in interim bail in June 2019.

On November 11, 2020, Hamza Shahbaz Sharif and his father Mian Shahbaz Sharif were convicted in a money laundering reference by an accountability court.

Now, the opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly and son of former Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has been granted bail after the detention of nearly 20 months.

However, it will not be just the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) that would be expecting a tough time ahead from the flamboyant leader but Maryam Nawaz too.

Maryam Nawaz emerged as the supremo of PML-N since the top hierarchy was put behind bars in different corruption cases.

In the absence of prime leadership, Maryam got the chance to run the party as she gained absolute hold and certainly faced no opposition from within.

However, the future is going to be tough for the female party leader as she would be required to consult with Hamza Shahbaz who is known to be leaned towards the politics of reconciliation rather than confrontation.

The political observers say that the difference in the approaches of two leaders could create a split within PML-N.

Ever since PML-N has locked horns with the nucleus of powers in the country, Maryam Nawaz has carried on the rigid narrative of her father Nawaz Sharif.

Contrarily, Hamza Shahbaz seemed and sounded oriented with the narrative of reconciliation like his father Shahbaz Sharif.

Read Also

Maryam Nawaz Had Heavy Crosses to Bear in Lahore

PML-N is expected to experience a split as two different leaders, Maryam and Shahbaz, having different approaches will come across each other in shaping the future policies of the party.