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THE toughest are the races that put you against your own. And the saying goes that it is the in-house victories that are most exhilarating since you always know that you are more capable and deserving than your cousin, your room-mate or your party colleague.
Since it provides so much talent to the party to craft good ministers from, Lahore is always likely to provide the PMLN with its exciting in-house duels. The ever running among these contests is of course the mother of all matches; the one between brothers Nawaz and Shahbaz of the Sharif household.
Generations have passed looking – hoping and wishing – for cracks in the Sharif-Sharif coalition. Unsuccessful they have in recent times been aiming, hopefully, for each and any sign of differences that “will surely crop up” as the next generation of the Sharifs take over.
Consequently, in the absence of any real challenge to the Sharif hold on power in Lahore and large parts of Punjab other than the potential threat posed by Imran Khan, the focus of late has been on which Sharif kid does or does not have it in her and him.
For the moment, Mariam Nawaz paces through the process courtesy her constant presence on the social media and occasional appearances in public. In Lahore and the province at large it is very much Hamza Shahbaz who is earning himself quite a reputation for resolving issues behind the scenes. Moored safely in the family tradition, Hamza, who often prefers to keep his profile low, is able to carry the burden of being informally both the ‘deputy prime minister’ and ‘deputy chief minister’ with not too much of a problem.
In other in-house races, the queerest one during 2015 has to be the unlikely one between Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Khwaja Saad Rafiq. As circumstances demanded, the two PML-N stalwarts from Lahore had to take two different routes to prove that they had won their 2013 tickets to the National Assembly fair and square.
Saad Rafiq clung fast to his right to take the legal course whereas Ayaz Sadiq, according to rumours at the time, was made to earn his seat back via a by-election.
For the period when Saad Rafiq was being ‘dragged’ through courts, in many clandestine accounts offered by knowledgeable narrators in his hometown, he was so worthy of the sympathy. Later, the sympathies got re-directed towards Ayaz Sadiq.
At one point the legal battle briefly threatened to de-seat, by his standards, now a much quieter member of PMLN’s ever-rich Lahore talent basket. This was when the fears about Saad Rafiq’s political career were most rife, but not too long afterwards, the focus shifted to the dangers posed to the future of Ayaz Sadiq.
Until the Speaker managed to pip PTI’s Abdul Aleem Khan in the breathtaking NA-122 by-election he was considered by some in the hometown to have been denied a fair deal by his own party – denied the right to seek relief from the court, which would have been safer choice.
Comments (26) Closed
Maryam Nawaz is a sure winner... she has the talent, charisma and fiery passion to develop Pakistan...
one goes to school and tells children to tolerate corruption and saying it is fine and the other one like a childish girl fights with unknowns on social media
i think we are headed for a great future in these bright leaders
For good, we should come out of family politics and give chance to others to lead the country to place Pakistan among the most developing country from all perspective. Malaysia in the person of Dr.Mahitir got a Prime Minister who guided the country to its present position. We have seen enough of Bhutoos and Sharifs!
I think we should tell our children that there is no way for them to rise to the top and lead Pakistan.
Oh please, no more political dynasties. We've had enough already!
For how long the masses will be subjected to gulping family oriented democracy in Pakistan. When will a commoner with no family tree in politics become PM. This is the biggest curse in our country.
all who are complaing about family oriebted democracy I have one thing to say; as long as people vote for them , it is acceptable . It is still better than grade 21 officer taking over the contytry every few years . You want to eliminate dynasties; dont vote for them . If people vote then we must respect it .
There is nothing exhilarating about these family mafias. One day I wish we would get rid of them and have true democracy in this country.
I just want to re-post the best comment so far by FAROOQ - one goes to school and tells children to tolerate corruption and saying it is fine and the other one like a childish girl fights with unknowns on social media i think we are headed for a great future in these bright leaders
End to dynasty politics in Pakistan.Salute to Mr Musharraf who proved that if you are are a gentleman you don't groom family politicians. Lesson to learn.
So jamhuriat flourishing in Pakistan.
King Mian Nawaz Sharif Princess Maryam Nawaz
Deputy King Shahbaz Sharif Prince Hamz Sharif
Good luck jamuriat.
We should learn from the Chinese experience and find a MAO for Pakistan, since his revolution China saw one great leader after the other because Mao set an example. His wife tried to make it a family affair which was discarded...If we want to advance we should think only Pakistan, Pakistan and Pakistan...
This revelation about family rivalry in politics between Sharif cousins is an open secret,at least known to an outsider like me.In my opinion the 'yes'votes should go in favour of Maryam Sharif as she had taken a firm stand and warning against Imran Khan's party when he was leading an unending march against the Sharif govt.in Islamabad.Another factor in favour of Maryam Sharif is that she being 'she' can bring woman power in Pakistan politics which is missing since Benazir Bhutto's final going away.Lahore's importance for bringing forward educated and likable persons in politics is well known .Let us see whose way the wind blows in the coming days.
I wish people can learn from their predecessors who tried to make Pakistan their inheritance. A well known proverb that "History repeats itself" needs to be paid attention to.
I get the the feeling that there will be a party split. One with Maryam Nawaz and one side with Hamza Shahbaz.
loot and plunder is this dynasty motto, be it Shabaz, Maryam or Bilawal.
Our politicians are street smart,not book smart.
A nations political representation is a reflection of its people. That shows how strong that nation is, if we have a weak system then our morals and integrity is reflected into it. The society of pakistan has never played its true role, specially good, sincere and patriotic people. Either they have fled for good future, education, security and business or stayed back as quite spectators and always taken the compromise way. A vacuum is always filled, if good people would not then obviously somebody would. As a result of many years, now majority of our vote banks at lower level are not with MPAs and MNAs and political leaders, but with groups and individuals who some how don't carry a good rep and nature. Therefore, the poor and weak follow them for that small relief they give to them for handling a SHO, patwari, water line man, wapda SDO or minor disputes.
This is one of the main reasons I support Imran Khan! to break dynastic glass!
@Ahmed USA, All that you said might be 100% true but she has a bad reputation for being a Bad Mouth and sticks her nose in the issues which are not her responsibilities.
And too much exposure is also a bad marketing strategy
Only criminal minded people will vote for Sharifs.
Disgusting.
@Ahmed USA What talent?
@Ahmed USA This family has a history of corruption, if children learn from their parents this lady hasn't missed a trick. Pakistan needs a leader who puts country before self , these types of people are few and far between .
@Ahmed USA What sort of passion specially to build Paksitan
@Ahmed USA lol really? although you may fancy the chances one in million that the Sharif progeny can muster an iota of intellect to carve out their own route to leadership which would no thing to do with their otherwise bequeathed legacy! I tell you it is the slimmest chance of all :)