Dear reader, online ads enable us to deliver the journalism you value. Please support us by taking a moment to
The campaign to have Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif as PML-N leader has picked up.
On Thursday, Riaz Hussain Pirzada, a federal minister known for his occasional outbursts of unfiltered ‘truth’, declared how absolutely necessary it was for the younger Sharif to replace former prime minister Nawaz Sharif at the top of the PML-N hierarchy.
Soon, in reaction to Mr Pirzada’s presser, a Punjab government spokesman commented on how pragmatism was the order of the day for the party. In other words, this was an endorsement of an idea by someone who is apparently close to the chief minister.
Not only that, there was another report on a meeting of 40 PML-N MPAs from various parts of the province in Lahore. The message emanating from the meeting was the same as had been earlier conveyed with varying degrees of forthrightness: replace Nawaz Sharif with his younger brother as the party head.
This development is not out of the blue. It is consistent with some statements that have come from what is increasingly being referred to as ‘the Shahbaz camp’ within the PML-N. These statements include those made by Hamza Shahbaz, elder son of Shahbaz Sharif and an influential MNA in his own right. The Sharif scion has been advocating a moderate approach after silently watching Maryam Nawaz doing aggressive politics along with her father.
It is generally believed that a more measured, less acrimonious thrust on the part of the PML-N would entail the passing of the leadership mantle to Shahbaz Sharif. Indeed, it is thought that there is increasing demand within the PML-N for such a change and that the party risks losing members to opposing forces if it delays such a transition.
This theory envisages the former prime minister and his daughter retaining a parallel role in the background in case the aggressive drive needs to be rekindled at some stage.
Mr Pirzada has also criticised the change in the law that allowed Nawaz Sharif to be elected as PML-N chief following his disqualification as prime minister; he appeared to suggest that no intra-party debate had taken place before the much-criticised person-specific amendment was rushed through parliament.
Consultation is unlikely even now since it could bring conflicts within the PML-N into public view. Ultimately, in true Pakistani tradition, it is for the family to decide which brother they deem fit to act as head of the PML-N and at what point in time.
But one thing is clear: Shahbaz Sharif being in charge would mean a mellowing of the party position. A shift from the former prime minister, who is understandably very bitter at his removal, to Shahbaz Sharif would signify a fundamental departure.
Though such a transition would not be easy to accomplish, it would perhaps mark the building of a new party altogether.
Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2017
![Day 1: Here's what's going on at the Lahore Literary Festival [Live]](https://i.dawn.com/medium/2019/02/5c6fd56354ff7.jpg)
Comments (32) Closed
This development is sad, as the economic progress of country would be adversely affected due to ensuing political chaos.
Either way it may save the family but it will prove disaster for the State and its citizens at large b/c the seedling of accountability will never germinate again.
To remove Nawaz Sharif from leadership of this dynastic political "empire" may be pragmatic but it is fairly premature to contemplate that this empire will survive such a major shift as hitherto political gains made by PML-N are deeply linked with person of Nawaz Sharif which may be fizzling out in near future without him at the top.
Shahbaz sharif doesn’t command any votes. They can try fighting Election without nawaz and will get to know their aukat. They don’t want nawaz but want his votes.
The point of view expressed by Dr.Hassan is logical.But it may be equally true that political gains of PML- N would in any case fizzle out if Nawaz Sharif remains or even if Shahbaz Sharif becomes the head. The stigma of corruption,corrupt practices and corrupt family / head will still be alive. Roots of the problem lies in the thinking of the party leadership that NS disqualification is due to the confrontational attitude of the ruling family. They are still not ready to comprehend that it is due to prevalent of abnormally high level / culture of corruption and corrupt practices in the Sharif family which is adversely affecting health of the country in political / economic / social terms and international relations. The conclusion expressed by the editorial to me has more weight .
I think its a trick by both Sharifs to see who they can trust upon when the time to award party tickets for the elections 2018 arrives. Sharifs are a very traditional Pakistani family with strong family bindings. Both brothers and their families have cases against them and they know this very well that their strength lies in unity.
Shahbaz or Nawaz, they are birds of the same feather. It is going to be seen as an attempt to fool the masses. Let some one outside the sharif family take over the reigns of the party.
@Muneer no Pakistani love corrupt politicians. This is the issue of our society. we get things done in improper unfair way. So we need corrupt politician to facilitate that. that's why we never had honest politicians.
One king down, another up. Whats the change? Poor Pakistani souls
@Asif . Yet,there is an anti corruption - anti corrupt practices phenomenon prevalent in Pakistan society.Examples are Zardari ‘s reputation of corruption and corrupt practices which has overtime greatly affected popularity / electoral base of PPP . One of the major reason of political rise of Imran Khan / PTI is their anti corruption stance. Reality is that , this time Sharifs corruption / corrupt practices have been exposed at International stage , the issue has been taken up by a strong political party which has never been in power and above all there is an alternative available to people to vote or look up to.Previously,electoral contest was between PPP and PMLN. It is now primarily a triangular electoral contest among , PPP - PMLN - PTI. Add to it the inclusion of 40% new votes in the electoral roles. There should be a difference hopefully.
A big NO. Nawaz Sharif shall continue and handover mantle to Maryam. She is educated, exposed to first world, has mannerism to hold the august office and will kindle women of Pakistan to vote en masse for their fellow woman.
Shahbaz is a recipe for taking PML-N to the ditch, one way right to oblivion.
It is time to stand up, stand firm and expose one by one all thieves in the system who are playing 'holier than thou' game while are the silent nibblers of Pakistan's wealth.
Only Nawaz or Marium can keep the party together. If Nawaz and Marium are taken out, then PML-N shall be finished and remain on the shelves of history. Nawaz is the person respected by many PML-N leaders and loved by his voters. Everyone else like his brother Shahbaz or his friend Ch.Nisar are just beneficiaries of Nawaz's kindness towards them, otherwise they have no political standing
Should this materialise, it will set a good precedent for party-based parliamentary politics in the country besides bridling the undue influence wielded by self-annointed party heads
It doesn't matter who leads the party as long as the country is run in a democratic way which , unfortunately , is not what we are witnessing today . Confrontation with institutions is unwise , undemocratic and damaging .For PML (NL) it's a matter of choice between personal interests and national interests .
Normally, such a question is decided by a political party by votes within the party. It is time to introduce this principle in Pakistan.
@Jawaid You mean the economic progress that will need a new IMF bailout in a few months.
See how Nawaz phobia engulfing among establishment cronies
PML(N) need to get out from the clutches of Sharif's dynasty in order to become a true democratic party.
This reminds me of a super Bollywood movie 'Rajneeti'.
For democracy to truly function in Pakistan, parties should elect their leaders not on family basis but on merit. Unfortunately political parties except JI are not democratic
It's astounding how, in 2017, we can have a nation of 200 million people insisting that a country will only survive if one specific family is in power. Imagine people in the UK insisting that Theresa May's brother takes control if she gets disqualified, or picture Angela Merkel handing power down to her nephew. It's comical to even think. But in Pakistan, we're determined to follow the examples of Saudi Arabia and North Korea, where power is kept carefully within a single family. And we can all see for ourselves how successful and glittering those nations are, can't we.
Hasan
I hope there are leaders beside Nawaz Sharif family in PML n
how about neither
You need to tell us that there is no one able, intelligent and a leader like person in PML-N to replace Shriefs? What kind of democracy is that we are following? Sincerely
Do Pakistani voter has a choice? They have to select from corrupt politician or tyrant dictator, as their ruler. Ultimately, you get a leader, what you deserve!
Nawaz handjng the baton to Shahbaz will make him remembered positively otherwise he will ruin any leftover prestige and honour in him.
As I see that our democrats are never democratic Peacefully & Patiently from their own heart. They cannot bring democracy Peacefully & Patiently in their own party. PMLN should have conducted an election Peacefully & Patiently in the party to elect its leader as soon as possible. But, instead, they have started fighting among their own family. They are far away from democracy. I would like to suggest them Peacefully & Patiently that please leave the Pakistan Military alone and rectify your own heart and mind first Peacefully & Patiently.
@Neel
Dear Neel, Thanks for telling the truth and Bravo for the moral courage.
@sajed syed
Dear Sajid Syed, Bravo for the moral courage!
Can we forget about him....and move on...
@Muneer I believe your views are wishful thinking of a minority educated middle class who resides in urban environment of Pakistan. Those waderas, chaudries, sardars, and khans, presently representing people are mostly elected by ignorant, illiterate and poor masses mainly on clan, tribal or so called beradari system. You buy out a few of the influential in the rural community and you are secured to win. Unless we change the outlook of our miserable lot by giving them educational opportunities, this shackle of backwardness, narrow mindedness, and dependency on their cast and creed will continue and you keep on seeing members of various dynasties winning elections perpetually. I have seen this system working for the benefit of such people from very close proximity and have lost hope in this checkered democracy in vogue in Pakiatan. I am also doubtful about Ik making a dent in the system because he has also welcomed many of those opportunists to become prominent members of his party.
This is not Kingdom of Pakistan, father goes daughter or brother come and seat what a shameful for country, sorry none of these two sharifs or their children neither the Princes Mariam needed for Pakistan, unfortunately she is comparing with BB who was Harvard / Oxford graduate and brilliant lady, no match to BB in past or future. Let people of Pakistan decide. on one men one vote.