Maryam Nawaz denies saying family asked her to take party charge
The former first daughter says Nawaz Sharif will lead the party and she is not even an aspirant
October 28, 2017
ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister’s daughter Maryam Nawaz said that the statement attributed to her in a recent interview — quoting her as saying it was her family’s decision that she hold the reins of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz — was incorrect.
The former first daughter posted on Twitter, saying that Nawaz Sharif will lead the party and she is not even an aspirant and will remain a party worker.
Earlier, a New York Times report stated that the 44-year-old defacto political heir of the Sharif family made the statement it was her family’s decision that she takes charge of the party.
In the same vein, the publication said that Maryam did not elaborate whether she aspires to be a prime minister in future.
Maryam, who has recently started actively partaking in the political activities and also happens to be one of her father’s closest adviser, once again quashed news of internal strife within the family and the party.
Despite the news of differences that recently emerged between Maryam and her uncle, Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif and his children, she was full of praises for them.
“He’s the most competent person. He’s my hero. I love him to death,” the former premier’s daughter was quoted as saying by the foreign publication.
While shedding further light on her foray into politics, Maryam said that she never saw herself in a political role, adding that her upbringing has been relatively traditional.
The former prime minister’s daughter said that she feels lucky that she married young and all her children are grown-up now. She added that she would not have been able to allocate time to politics had her children been small.
According to Maryam, it was her grandfather Muhammad Sharif, who spotted her administrative and political abilities and gave her freedom to partake in important family operations.
Maryam said after some time her father also saw her administrative potential, which eventually made her one of the top advisers of the former premier.
On the subject of the persisting trials and tribulations over her family, Maryam Nawaz reiterated that the cases are politically motivated and more similar to pressure tactics.
The former prime minister’s daughter remains optimistic that the party support isn’t waning and supporters remain determined.
The news of a ‘cold war’ and politically rivalry have long-dogged Maryam Nawaz and her cousin, Hamza Shehbaz, son of her uncle Shehbaz Sharif.
The Chief Minister Punjab has repeatedly advised the former first daughter that politics of confrontation would do no good and hence no statements should be issued against the institutions.
The display of Maryam’s public political prowess and acumen was visible when she took charge and extensively campaigned for her mother, Kulsoom Nawaz, whom the party fielded as its candidate in Lahore’s NA-120 bypolls.
Maryam's campaign proved to be a success, which saw Kulsoom elected as member of the National Assembly.
The NA-120 seat fell vacant following the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif as the prime minister by the Supreme Court on July 28.
