Now that Maryam Nawaz has returned to Pakistan from the UK, the question is: where is Hamza Shehbaz?
Hamza Shehbaz has never been outside of Pakistan. Even after the entire Sharif family relocated to Saudi Arabia during Pervez Musharraf's dictatorship, Hamza and his brother Suleman were held as collateral by the Musharraf administration. He was imprisoned in some capacity under Musharraf's reign, and later during the PTI's, but he never left the country.
The PML-N faces a difficult task right now in resurrecting the party in Punjab. The electoral circles of the PML-N feel that a rebirth is conceivable and that the party can make a comeback in the upcoming elections if the party concentrates on constituency-related politics.
PML-N’s chief organiser, Maryam Nawaz is a crowd-puller, who energises workers and motivates leadership. However, it is insufficient to win elections. The choice of the ideal candidate is crucial. Choosing the best candidate involves choosing someone who can win elections. This person could be an electable, a devoted worker or a wealthy trader.
In Pakistan's political history, huge election rallies have taken place, but they have not necessarily resulted in victories for candidates. Although Maryam Nawaz held enormous rallies in Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Punjab by-elections, they had little effect on the number of votes cast.
Most constituencies are familiar with Hamza. He can have ensured the backing of powerful individuals in constituencies if he had been involved in election. He was sidelined after the 2018 elections.
When Parvez Elahi unexpectedly became the chief ministerial candidate on behalf of the alliance of opposition parties in 2022, Hamza got lucky. The opposition alliance promptly proposed Hamza Shehbaz as a candidate for Punjab's chief ministership. His comeback caused a stir both in Punjab and PML-N. Back then, it appeared Maryam had taken over the party.
But was Hamza psychologically prepared to take over as chief minister in such turbulent circumstances? He is one of the few politicians who was unexpectedly handed over the duty of a prominent political post.
The PTI's overwhelming victory in by-elections in 20 Punjab constituencies in July 2022 sent Hamza back home. However, during his brief stint as chief minister, he made some significant decisions. He adopted his father's practice of making emergency trips to tehsil and district hospitals and announced free distribution of medicine. He also announced Rs 200 billion subsidy for the three-month supply of cheap flour. The statement that 100 units of free power would be provided via Roshan Ghar programme was a notable initiatives, but the project was postponed till after by-elections. The budget mentioned return of the student laptop programme and 12,000 scooters for women. Further, free electricity for disadvantaged households (up to 100 units) was appreciable as well.
In the past, under the Musharraf administration, PML-Q’s Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain was selected to be prime minister for some 50 days. Dost Muhammad Khosa served as PML-N’s Punjab chief minister for roughly two months in 2008. When the no-confidence motion against Punjab Chief Minister Ghulam Haider Wyne was successful earlier in the 1990s, Mian Manzoor Wattoo’s first chief ministership likewise lasted for roughly 90 days.
Presently, Hamza Shehbaz is abroad supposedly for his mother's treatment. When he returns, Hamza and Maryam can together begin preparing grounds for the next elections. Maryam Nawaz has announced her plan to visit Punjab’s districts on February 1.
Without Hamza, Maryam will not be able to realise her objectives in Punjab. Hamza has personal relationships with prominent political family in the province. If Maryam can pull a crowd, Hamza can pull winnable candidates.
Hamza Shehbaz has never been outside of Pakistan. Even after the entire Sharif family relocated to Saudi Arabia during Pervez Musharraf's dictatorship, Hamza and his brother Suleman were held as collateral by the Musharraf administration. He was imprisoned in some capacity under Musharraf's reign, and later during the PTI's, but he never left the country.
The PML-N faces a difficult task right now in resurrecting the party in Punjab. The electoral circles of the PML-N feel that a rebirth is conceivable and that the party can make a comeback in the upcoming elections if the party concentrates on constituency-related politics.
PML-N’s chief organiser, Maryam Nawaz is a crowd-puller, who energises workers and motivates leadership. However, it is insufficient to win elections. The choice of the ideal candidate is crucial. Choosing the best candidate involves choosing someone who can win elections. This person could be an electable, a devoted worker or a wealthy trader.
In Pakistan's political history, huge election rallies have taken place, but they have not necessarily resulted in victories for candidates. Although Maryam Nawaz held enormous rallies in Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Punjab by-elections, they had little effect on the number of votes cast.
Most constituencies are familiar with Hamza. He can have ensured the backing of powerful individuals in constituencies if he had been involved in election. He was sidelined after the 2018 elections.
When Parvez Elahi unexpectedly became the chief ministerial candidate on behalf of the alliance of opposition parties in 2022, Hamza got lucky. The opposition alliance promptly proposed Hamza Shehbaz as a candidate for Punjab's chief ministership. His comeback caused a stir both in Punjab and PML-N. Back then, it appeared Maryam had taken over the party.
But was Hamza psychologically prepared to take over as chief minister in such turbulent circumstances? He is one of the few politicians who was unexpectedly handed over the duty of a prominent political post.
The PTI's overwhelming victory in by-elections in 20 Punjab constituencies in July 2022 sent Hamza back home. However, during his brief stint as chief minister, he made some significant decisions. He adopted his father's practice of making emergency trips to tehsil and district hospitals and announced free distribution of medicine. He also announced Rs 200 billion subsidy for the three-month supply of cheap flour. The statement that 100 units of free power would be provided via Roshan Ghar programme was a notable initiatives, but the project was postponed till after by-elections. The budget mentioned return of the student laptop programme and 12,000 scooters for women. Further, free electricity for disadvantaged households (up to 100 units) was appreciable as well.
In the past, under the Musharraf administration, PML-Q’s Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain was selected to be prime minister for some 50 days. Dost Muhammad Khosa served as PML-N’s Punjab chief minister for roughly two months in 2008. When the no-confidence motion against Punjab Chief Minister Ghulam Haider Wyne was successful earlier in the 1990s, Mian Manzoor Wattoo’s first chief ministership likewise lasted for roughly 90 days.
Presently, Hamza Shehbaz is abroad supposedly for his mother's treatment. When he returns, Hamza and Maryam can together begin preparing grounds for the next elections. Maryam Nawaz has announced her plan to visit Punjab’s districts on February 1.
Without Hamza, Maryam will not be able to realise her objectives in Punjab. Hamza has personal relationships with prominent political family in the province. If Maryam can pull a crowd, Hamza can pull winnable candidates.