THE PML-N decision to nominate Hamza Shehbaz Sharif for the job of chief minister in Punjab is a bad idea given that the opposition political parties already propose to elect his father as the country’s chief executive, should they succeed in toppling Imran Khan through a no-confidence vote. The move gives the impression that the Sharifs are reluctant to trust non-family leaders with their stronghold, despite their unmatched hold over the party in Punjab. It also underscores that kinship continues to play a large role in PML-N’s politics. It isn’t something that people are not familiar with. ‘Dynastic politics’ is deeply entrenched in the Pakistani feudal milieu. But the PML-N has taken this concept to the next level. Nawaz Sharif’s refusal to give Pervaiz Elahi the top job in Punjab in 1997, in breach of a commitment, had led the Chaudhries of Gujrat to part ways with him when the Sharifs came under a cloud after Gen Pervez Musharraf’s takeover. Indeed, the elder Sharif had appointed Ghulam Haider Wyne, whose loyalty and devotion to his leader and his family knew no bounds, as Punjab’s chief minister in 1990; he, however, preferred to rule the province through his younger brother during his next two terms in Islamabad. Even at the centre, Mr Sharif had surrounded himself with relatives who occupied key positions.

It’s not just the Sharifs — dynastic nominations and successions are a de facto phenomenon in every political and religious organisation, barring a few, since their leaders, and the latter’s family members, are considered a much stronger brand than the organisations they head. Even Imran Khan’s PTI, which promised to break such family enterprises and their dynastic hold, is centred around the person of its leader. Such an unchallenged hold of oligarchs on their parties is indicative of the lack of internal democracy within political organisations, which prevents the emergence of a non-family leadership. But times are changing. If social media posts are a sign, a number of PML-N followers have expressed their disgust over the decision to have Shehbaz Sharif as prime minister and his son as chief minister, saying there are many worthy leaders in the party who could have been entrusted with Punjab’s top job. Though the opposition to the decision is muted for now, as the party is focused on snatching Punjab from the PTI, it could become louder sooner or later if the Sharifs continue to keep power within the family.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2022