Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s plan to hand over chairmanship of PML-N to his daughter Maryam Nawaz Sharif has died down. Well placed sources told Daily Times that Nawaz Sharif wished to hand over leadership of PML-N to Maryam Nawaz ahead of the upcoming general elections but Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif and other senior leaders of the party were not happy over this decision.

During PML-N’s meeting in Islamabad, a senior leader of the party hailing from South Punjab said that it would be better if a referendum was held in connection with the slot of president of the party so that opportunity could be afforded to alternative leadership to come forward with majority vote of the party. But Nawaz Sharif rejected this view out of hand. He feared this way, not only could the party chairmanship could go to Mian Shahbaz Sharif but a deep rift could emerge within the party.

The prime minister nominated Chaudhry Nisar as his special advisor in this meeting so that the party could be kept united and close to leadership in future. There is a deep understanding and harmony between Chaudhry Nisar and Mian Shahbaz Sharif.

Senator Talha Mehmood has been offered a key post in the party. The post of finance secretary of PML-N is also lying vacant due to induction of Sardar Ayyaz Sadiq as speaker of the National Assembly. Sources said the prime minister wishes to bring Tariq Azim to this post. The post of assistant general secretary of PML-N had fallen vacant due to appointment of Abdul Qadir Baloch as minister for SAFRON. Nawaz Sharif wants to give this office any one of his loyal associates.

The office of senior vice president of party is also lying vacant after departure of Javed Hashmi from the party and some loyalist will be inducted on this post. The post of coordinator in respect of Siddiqul Farooq is being abolished inside the party. Moreover, the PML-N leadership wants to make Nihal Hashmir as president of PML-N Sindh in place of Ghaus Ali Shah.