The top leadership of the PMLN is uneasy at the new role granted to party supremo's daughter Maryam Nawaz, The News revealed on Saturday.
The party stalwart and a popular leader among the masses was made the senior vice president and chief organiser on Jan 4.
According to the notification released by the ruling party, Maryam has officially become the second-most senior leader after Shehbaz Sharif, party's chief and the incumbent prime minister of the country.
PML-N sources say that the party wasn't taken into confidence on the aforesaid decision, and that several members of the top cadre are uneasy about it.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a senior leader termed the decision non-democratic, saying it will only result in more control of the family on the party.
Another senior leader criticised the earlier appointment of PM Shehbaz' son Hamza Shehbaz as Punjab's chief minister, while Khawaja Saad Rafique and Malik Ahmed Khan were suitable candidates for the role.
Political analysts say the appointment is a token gesture and no more. “It is too little too late,” said Zaigham Khan, in the Naya Daur TV’s flagship programme Khabar Se Aagay. “Her appointment will not make a difference within the party. The ongoing crisis of succession – from Nawaz Sharif to Nawaz Sharif’s successor – has not been resolved,” he added.
“She should have been appointed the president of the party and entrusted with absolute authority, as the successor of Nawaz Sharif. This new position bestowed upon her means nothing,” said Khan.
For a long time, people have seen Maryam as the obvious successor of Nawaz Sharif. She has reflected her father’s charisma and crowd appeal. Yet, she has failed to emerge as a commendable force in the party.
But, perhaps, her appointment sends out a signal to the “uncles” and “cousins” within the party — that they may soon be rendered redundant or they must reinvent their role on the stage of PML-N politics.
The party stalwart and a popular leader among the masses was made the senior vice president and chief organiser on Jan 4.
According to the notification released by the ruling party, Maryam has officially become the second-most senior leader after Shehbaz Sharif, party's chief and the incumbent prime minister of the country.
PML-N sources say that the party wasn't taken into confidence on the aforesaid decision, and that several members of the top cadre are uneasy about it.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a senior leader termed the decision non-democratic, saying it will only result in more control of the family on the party.
Another senior leader criticised the earlier appointment of PM Shehbaz' son Hamza Shehbaz as Punjab's chief minister, while Khawaja Saad Rafique and Malik Ahmed Khan were suitable candidates for the role.
Political analysts say the appointment is a token gesture and no more. “It is too little too late,” said Zaigham Khan, in the Naya Daur TV’s flagship programme Khabar Se Aagay. “Her appointment will not make a difference within the party. The ongoing crisis of succession – from Nawaz Sharif to Nawaz Sharif’s successor – has not been resolved,” he added.
“She should have been appointed the president of the party and entrusted with absolute authority, as the successor of Nawaz Sharif. This new position bestowed upon her means nothing,” said Khan.
For a long time, people have seen Maryam as the obvious successor of Nawaz Sharif. She has reflected her father’s charisma and crowd appeal. Yet, she has failed to emerge as a commendable force in the party.
But, perhaps, her appointment sends out a signal to the “uncles” and “cousins” within the party — that they may soon be rendered redundant or they must reinvent their role on the stage of PML-N politics.