PML-N denies Fawad’s claim of in-party discord over Nawaz’s leadership

Hasaan Khawar says Shehbaz Sharif stuck between brother, party duties and possible ascension to power

The Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) has strongly rejected the claim of Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry in which he said that four senior leaders of the party showed severe dissatisfaction over former prime minister and party supremo Nawaz Sharif’s leadership.

Chaudhry said on Sunday while speaking to journalists at the Lahore Press Club that four senior leaders of PML-N held a meeting with ‘someone’ in which they were all of the view that they should be considered if Nawaz doesn’t suit the PML-N. Chaudhry was of the view that the four opposition leaders also said in that meeting that Nawaz did great harm to Pakistan and therefore they should be given a chance instead.

“You all know them very well as they sit in the front row in every meeting of the party,” Chaudhry said.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Political Communication Dr Shehbaz Gill also claimed yesterday that PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif was desperate for a ‘deal’. Both the leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) didn’t name the person with whom the deal was being brokered but according to past references, it was very obvious to whom they were referring.

Talking to Minute Mirror, PML-N Punjab Information Secretary Azma Bukhari said that Chaudhry should find those Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) members of national assembly (MNAs) and members of provincial assembly (MPAs) who were making contact with the PML-N instead of finding out about her party’s four senior leaders.

“There is no truth in what Fawad said yesterday,” said Bukhari. Such clandestine meetings don’t suit us politically as we have bravely fought during last three years and we have passed the “hard time”, she said. Chaudhry’s argument doesn’t have any significance at this time, she maintained. “My advice to Fawad is that he must find those MNAs and MPAs of PTI who were in contact with the PML-N while asking for a party ticket in next elections,” she said. She further added that around two dozen MNAs and MPAs of PTI were in contact with the PML-N.

PML-N MPA Hina Pervaiz Butt, who is considered a close confidant of Maryam Nawaz, also criticized Chaudhry while terming his remarks baseless.

“If Fawad has any moral courage, then he should name those four PML-N leaders whom he is talking about,” she said. Chaudhry is himself responsible for spreading the fake news, she said.

It would be noteworthy here that Maryam had herself clarified that PML-N wasn’t interested in any deal. Talking to media in Lahore few days ago, she said that PML-N doesn’t need any deal as it had deep roots among the people and results of all the by-elections also went in their favor.

Meanwhile, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Punjab on Information and Spokesperson to the Punjab Government Hasaan Khawar has said that the government would help resolve PML-N’s leadership crisis by bringing Nawaz home.

Speaking to media in Lahore on Monday, Khawar said that Shehbaz was currently stuck between a rock and a hard place as he had the party and his elder brother on one side and a chance to power on the other side. Nawaz, a criminal wanted by both the court and the law, has willfully refused to return home and is looking for respite, he said, adding that a special medical board comprising senior most doctors was examining his medical reports to facilitate his return to the country.

Punjab Governor and senior PTI leader Chaudhry Sarwar also talked about the ‘deal’ on Monday in Lahore while speaking to media. He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan had a clear policy that the rule of law would be ensured in any case.

“Everyone should understand that the Deal or Dheel are only assumptions and it has nothing to do with the reality,” the governor said.