Maryam Nawaz’s return to Islamabad after four months in London has caused a flutter in the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Her return is being ascribed to not just elections in Punjab, the most important province in Pakistan, but also heralds the possible return of her father Nawaz Sharif, the former Pakistani prime minister, to his homeland from the UK.
Welcome Back Daughter Of Nation. Voice Of Nation Maryam Nawaz Sharif#خوش_آمدید_امید_سحر pic.twitter.com/hZFvuHg7mA
— Ammar Ayyaz (@ammarayyaz5) January 27, 2023
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, also her uncle, had appointed Maryam as the Senior Vice President of the PML-N in January this year, inviting her to “reorganise” the party. Her elevation led to former prime minister and senior PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi putting in his papers from the party leadership.
“All those who are here, make an account on Twitter, Instagram, Tik Tok and Facebook and fight for the party and the country.”
Maryam Nawaz sharif’s speech at Workers Convention in Bahawalpur.
Video: PTV pic.twitter.com/eNkXN1oo8R— Farhan Ahmad Khan (@TheFarhanAKhan) February 1, 2023
Abbasi’s resignation and Maryam’s elevation has led to speculation that former finance minister Miftah Ismail, who has lately been critical of his party, too might leave the party. Ismail has been particularly harsh, and also vocal, in the way his replacement Ishaq Dar has been handling the economy and tackling the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at a time when the Pakistani economy has run aground.
#PMLN worker protests during Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s press conference in #Bahawalpur.
“We’re with PMLN for 25 years and yet we’re pushed around trying to meet Maryam. Her secretary even slapped us” pic.twitter.com/QwHzJhoW5S
— The Friday Times (@TFT_) February 2, 2023
Even as the Sharif family tightens its grip on the party, the two miffed leaders–Abbasi and Ismail–are charting out their own course. They are planning a series of discussions across the country to focus on the herculean challenges–economy, terrorism, insurgencies, inflation and food shortage–that their country is facing.
Chorni Maryam Nawaz with Chor Nawaz Sharif in Black Rolls-Royce Purchased After Looting Pakistanis in Pakistan! pic.twitter.com/RKb083nr3x
— Dr. Sana K (@_DrS_K_) January 26, 2023
Meanwhile Maryam is busy tackling the unease within the party as many .
In Pakistan’s muddy politics, Maryam had faced slogan shouting by the supporters of former prime minister and cricketer Imran Khan’s supporters in London.
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