LAHORE: Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah has said there was no panic in the PML-N camp as it was fully prepared to contest the upcoming general election despite all odds – even in the worst case scenario of its Quaid Nawaz Sharif going to jail in corruption references.

“What could be the worst (case) scenario for the PML-N in the face of judicial activism ahead of 2018 general polls – Nawaz Sharif could go to jail and a few more PML-N leaders switch loyalties. Going to jail is a part of politics and this is not going to happen (to elder Sharif) for the first time. It will have no negative impact on the party if Mian Sahib is sentenced. The PML-N leadership as well as workers are fully prepared for this,” Mr Sanaullah said in an interview with Dawn.

Mr Sanaullah, who is considered close to Nawaz Sharif, is of the view that defections too this time around will have no negative impact on the party.

Says defections won’t impact party in next polls

“Even if a few more (PML-N leaders) leave the party the vote in coming election will be given in the name of Nawaz Sharif. This issue (defections) has not been given much weight in the party because of this (Nawaz) factor.

“The Pakistan Tahreek-i-Insaf is trying its best to woo Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. But, let me tell, the PTI will be the last party Chaudhry Nisar will ever be interested to join. The PML-N leadership will award ticket to him (Nisar) and it will be up to him whether to contest (next polls) from the party platform or not.”

Earlier, Maryam Nawaz had made it clear that awarding party ticket to Nisar would be the sole prerogative of her father (Nawaz Sharif). Reacting to this, Mr Nisar had said that he had neither sought the party ticket in the past, nor would do so in the future.

Rana Sanaullah dismisses the “media censorship” on the so-called anti-judiciary remarks of Nawaz Sharif and other PML-N leaders.

“There will be no change in Nawaz’s narrative – give respect to the ballot and restore justice – in the campaign leading to July polls. The whole party, including its chief Shahbaz Sharif, will follow this line, irrespective of any curbs.”

Although it is the ruling PML-N that will be forming the caretaker setup in consultation with the opposition PPP in the Centre, Mr Sana warns that his party will put up fierce resistance in case “unfair means” are used to manipulate the coming elections. “It will be the duty of the caretaker setup to ensure free and fair election,” he said.

The law and parliamentary affairs minister says that in Punjab talks with the opposition PTI will be held in the first week of next month for nomination of a caretaker chief minister. However, he can’t say definitely whether the two rivals can agree on a consensus candidate (for CM slot).

“I am not sure if a consensus will be reached between the PML-N and the PTI on the name of caretaker chief minister at the end of the day. In such a situation the ball will be in the court of Election Commission.”

Mr Sanaullah, who recently brokered a deal between the government and Khadim Hussain Rizvi’s Tahreek-i-Labaik Pakistan, is optimistic that the PML-N will not be affected by the rise of TLP in Punjab.

“The rise of TLP has zero impact on the PML-N popularity and this has been proved in the by-polls as well. Those who think it will affect our vote bank in the coming election, need to check their calculation. Our vote is ours and it will remain ours… I tell them.”

He says Rizvi was handed over Raja Zafarul Haq report to end TLP protest in Lahore. “No responsibility has been fixed on any one (in connection with the Khatm-e-Nabuwat clause) in the report,” he says.

He was categorical when asked whose policies would prevail after Shahbaz Sharif becoming the party head, “Nawaz Sharif’s policies will be followed by the party. Mr Sharif takes decisions in consultation with Shahbaz and others. Mian Sahib is the party Quaid and the whole party follows him.”

Dismissive of reports of differences in the Sharif family and Maryam’s bid to control the party making Shahbaz Sharif uneasy, Sanaullah says the whole party is united under ‘one man’ “and his name is Nawaz Sharif.”

About his own politics in his home town (Faisalabad) where he is facing an internal party rift with the Sharif family’s relative Mr Sher Ali, father of state minister Abid Sher Ali, the law minister said: “I never mind going into election having differences with the Sher Ali family. In the past he (Sher Ali) leveled serious allegations against me but could not prove anything at the end of the day. Although we have differences, that leaves no impact on election. In 2018 polls PML-N will sweep all seats in Faisalabad.”

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2018