Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz landed in Lahore today, as supporters welcomed her in large numbers at the Allama Iqbal International Airport.
“PML-N will win the elections with a majority,” she said as she addressed party’s workers on the occasion.
Maryam sent out a challenge to the arch-rival PTI with regard to the support of the masses in the polls.
She said that she would solely focus on reorganising the party in the days to come. She also announced that Nawaz Sharif, her father and PML-N supremo, will be returning to the country soon.
“Nawaz Sharif is in high spirits and it is certain that he, with the blessings of the Almighty, will make a return to Pakistan.”
The senior leader told her supporters that she was aware of high inflation. “We pulled the country out of difficulties earlier as well, and we would do it again. Pakistan will progress again.”
The workers of the party welcomed their leader as they held banners and posters inscribed with slogans.
She had earlier taken off from Abu Dhabi, with the flight experiencing a delay of nearly half an hour.
Maryam has made her return to the country after three months. She had left for London on October 6 to meet her father and undergo a surgery.
It was reported earlier that the top leadership is uneasy at the new role granted to the party supremo’s daughter.
Read more: Maryam Nawaz New Role In PMLN Irks Top Party Cadre
Maryam, a popular leader among the masses, was made the senior vice president and chief organiser on Jan 3.
According to a notification issued at the time, she became the second-most senior leader after Shehbaz Sharif, PML-N chief and the incumbent prime minister of the country.
The party’s sources say the top cadre was not taken into confidence on the aforesaid decision, and that several members were uneasy about it.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior leader had termed the decision non-democratic, saying it would only result in more control of the family on the party.
Another senior leader had criticised the earlier appointment of PM Shehbaz’ son Hamza Shehbaz as CM Punjab, saying 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, according to the analysis.
