Daily Times

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Rana Mashhood has claimed that the ties between the Sharif family and establishment has been mended and Shehbaz Sharif has played a key role in this regard.

During a TV interview, the former provincial minister said that the establishment was saddened over Shehbaz not being elected premier of the country.

He credited the former Punjab chief minister for ‘settling matters with establishment’ and claimed that the PML-N would be able to form government in Punjab with in two months, adding that Hamza Shehbaz would be PML-N’s candidate for the post.

He also claimed that the establishment has realised that ‘PML-N’s stance was right’.

“I am not talking about any deal, Shehbaz Sharif has always been acceptable to the establishment,’ he continued.

‘PML-N’s reaction’

However, the PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said the party leadership has distanced themselves from Mashhood’s claims terming them as his ‘personal opinion’.

“Rana Mashhood’s statement has nothing to do with the PML-N or its leadership,” she said.

She further added that the party has sought explanation from the former minister over his statement.

Explaining his position over his remarks, Mashhood said the TV channel quoted his statement out of context.

Nawaz, Maryam released from jail

Speculations regarding the possibility of a deal are already in the air since the court granted bail to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryum Nawaz, who were sentenced to jail in the Avenfield properties reference.

Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry has rejected the PML-N leader’s claims terming it ‘non-serious’.