The current economic situation and political turmoil have left the people with uneasy feelings about all the ruling parties in Pakistan. However, recent developments have led people to turn against the PML-N. Currently, PML-N is suffering in terms of popularity. People who pledged allegiance to the party because of Nawaz Sharif have started dwindling away due to their leader being away. While all decisions are made with the three-time former prime minister’s counsel, the face of the party is now Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
However, there is one person who has always worked in the background and has kept the party together even when the supremos of the party were exiled. This man is Hamza Shehbaz.
Hamza Shehbaz, has never liked the limelight. He has kept a low profile and focused on gathering support from all levels of society. When Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif were residing in Saudi Arabia, it was Hamza Shehbaz who kept the party together and garnered support for his father and uncle without much pomp and show. He has kept the party afloat when times were hard by working with the lowest levels of government machinery and the highest as well.
During the PTI government in Punjab, Hamza Shehbaz served as the leader of the opposition but spent most of his time in jail. He did not interact with the media much, but it is clear that he has been groomed by his father and uncle to take on their roles. In the recent tug-of-war for the seat of the chief minister of Punjab, Hamza was going to take over Punjab after his father had the judiciary not intervened. The era of the Shehbaz dynasty would have begun had Hamza been allowed to keep the seat of chief minister. However, as fate had it, he was once again pushed back to remain just a significant member of the assembly.
While Hamza Shehbaz may not be in the limelight much, his interviews and interactions with the media and the public show that he takes after his uncle instead of his father. He is the real gem of the Sharif family that has been behind the scenes for too long and deserves to be at the front now. The party is slowly disintegrating with age-old leaders turning away due to the change in party leadership, and this is making it weak.
With Nawaz Sharif out of the country and Shehbaz in charge, the prodigal son must step up. It is evident that even with Maryam’s pomp and show with several rallies and loud rhetoric, she has not been able to garner much support due to her inexperience. While Benazir was certainly the right choice for the PPP after Bhutto, Nawaz and Maryam do not form the same combination. She does not have what it takes to get a whopping majority in the elections as her political career is still in its infancy.
Hamza Shehbaz on the other hand has always shadowed his uncle and father. He knows party politics inside out and has been an active member of the government and the opposition for a long time now. His experience in the arena outweighs anything the others have.
The results of the by-elections and Imran Khan’s clean sweep, even after some disastrous governance, show how weak the PML-N has become in recent years. With the party supremo being out of the country, it is clear that the results of the general elections will also be dismal if swift action is not taken.
Building and maintaining a vote bank takes years and years of effort. In this day and age, people are not dumb enough to vote for anyone just because they promise them the world.
Even the most illiterate person is aware of the rising inflation and lack of relief from the government. People want to see results, and sweet words alone are unlikely to get the votes the party requires to form a government. For this, the party needs someone who has been with the people for a long time and has established a rapport with the local representative and the general population. That person is Hamza Shehbaz.
While Hamza has all the qualities, he lacks the glamour that may be required to sway the youth. His quiet workings and nature of being one with the background will not do him or the party any good. It is time for him to take his rightful place and start rounding up the support his party needs for the elections. Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif should put Hamza Shehbaz as well as Maryam Nawaz in the field; Maryam is charismatic, while Hamza is well-versed in electoral politics and has vast experience in the arena.
Having them in the leading role in the party will benefit the party, and if they are given the reins, it is likely that the PML-N will gain the majority of its support base as both are connected to the people. They can take Pakistan to new heights.
With the elections coming up, it will be prudent for the PML-N to bring order to their house, as a crumbling house cannot sustain the pressure that is about to ensue. Smart choices must be made before Khan takes the victory again just because the Sharif house was not in order before the election day.
However, there is one person who has always worked in the background and has kept the party together even when the supremos of the party were exiled. This man is Hamza Shehbaz.
Hamza Shehbaz, has never liked the limelight. He has kept a low profile and focused on gathering support from all levels of society. When Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif were residing in Saudi Arabia, it was Hamza Shehbaz who kept the party together and garnered support for his father and uncle without much pomp and show. He has kept the party afloat when times were hard by working with the lowest levels of government machinery and the highest as well.
During the PTI government in Punjab, Hamza Shehbaz served as the leader of the opposition but spent most of his time in jail. He did not interact with the media much, but it is clear that he has been groomed by his father and uncle to take on their roles. In the recent tug-of-war for the seat of the chief minister of Punjab, Hamza was going to take over Punjab after his father had the judiciary not intervened. The era of the Shehbaz dynasty would have begun had Hamza been allowed to keep the seat of chief minister. However, as fate had it, he was once again pushed back to remain just a significant member of the assembly.
While Hamza Shehbaz may not be in the limelight much, his interviews and interactions with the media and the public show that he takes after his uncle instead of his father. He is the real gem of the Sharif family that has been behind the scenes for too long and deserves to be at the front now. The party is slowly disintegrating with age-old leaders turning away due to the change in party leadership, and this is making it weak.
With Nawaz Sharif out of the country and Shehbaz in charge, the prodigal son must step up. It is evident that even with Maryam’s pomp and show with several rallies and loud rhetoric, she has not been able to garner much support due to her inexperience. While Benazir was certainly the right choice for the PPP after Bhutto, Nawaz and Maryam do not form the same combination. She does not have what it takes to get a whopping majority in the elections as her political career is still in its infancy.
Hamza Shehbaz on the other hand has always shadowed his uncle and father. He knows party politics inside out and has been an active member of the government and the opposition for a long time now. His experience in the arena outweighs anything the others have.
The results of the by-elections and Imran Khan’s clean sweep, even after some disastrous governance, show how weak the PML-N has become in recent years. With the party supremo being out of the country, it is clear that the results of the general elections will also be dismal if swift action is not taken.
Building and maintaining a vote bank takes years and years of effort. In this day and age, people are not dumb enough to vote for anyone just because they promise them the world.
Even the most illiterate person is aware of the rising inflation and lack of relief from the government. People want to see results, and sweet words alone are unlikely to get the votes the party requires to form a government. For this, the party needs someone who has been with the people for a long time and has established a rapport with the local representative and the general population. That person is Hamza Shehbaz.
While Hamza has all the qualities, he lacks the glamour that may be required to sway the youth. His quiet workings and nature of being one with the background will not do him or the party any good. It is time for him to take his rightful place and start rounding up the support his party needs for the elections. Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif should put Hamza Shehbaz as well as Maryam Nawaz in the field; Maryam is charismatic, while Hamza is well-versed in electoral politics and has vast experience in the arena.
Having them in the leading role in the party will benefit the party, and if they are given the reins, it is likely that the PML-N will gain the majority of its support base as both are connected to the people. They can take Pakistan to new heights.
With the elections coming up, it will be prudent for the PML-N to bring order to their house, as a crumbling house cannot sustain the pressure that is about to ensue. Smart choices must be made before Khan takes the victory again just because the Sharif house was not in order before the election day.