More members of Sharif family depart for London amid speculations

LAHORE: As the reports of growing rifts within the Sharif family are in media spotlight with regard to NA-120 by-election campaign, five more members of the family on Saturday departed for London via a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight few days after Hamza Shehbaz’s departure.

Earlier this week on Wednesday, Hamza had left for London, stating he would monitor the by-election campaign for NA-120 from abroad on daily basis. The motive behind his tour was said to be the personal engagements.

Hamza had dispelled rumours of rift within the Sharif family and directed the ruling party workers to efficiently run the campaign and to leave no stone unturned for an important triumph in the constituency, before leaving for London.

In the latest development, five members of Sharif family including Hamza’s children, wife, and sister have left for London.

It merits to mention here that the seat for National Assembly from NA-120 (Lahore’s constituency) fell vacant after former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s ouster by Supreme Court in the landmark 28 July verdict. The by-poll is to be held by next month in the NA-120 constituency.

Deposed PM Nawaz – who was also the ex-party supremo – has reportedly opposed granting authority to Hamza Shehbaz Sharif as in-charge for running a by-election campaign for his wife Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, sources said.

Pervaiz Malik had reportedly suggested Nawaz to let Hamza run the election campaign but his suggestion was declined by the former premier.

Informed sources further said following the Nawaz Sharif’s ouster as Prime Minister, Hamza had said that he was a political worker and would continue his political activism. However, later he had expressed his dismay over being ignored and apprised his close confidantes that he would leave for abroad during the by-election campaign.

Meanwhile, deposed PM’s daughter Maryam Nawaz has become active in NA-120 by-election campaign as she has been holding meetings with party workers in PML-N secretariat here in Model Town.

Last week, Maryam Nawaz – daughter of deposed PM Nawaz Sharif – took to twitter and rubbished the reports of rifts within the Sharif family.

“Those hoping for a rift between Sharif family will Insha’Allah bite the dust,” she said in a tweet while sharing a picture depicting Hamza Shehbaz Sharif and Pervaiz Malik sitting next to each other, chairing a meeting for election campaign.

Those hoping for a rift between Sharif family will Insha’Allah bite the dust. Here are Hamza & Malik Parvez chairing a meeting on NA-120. pic.twitter.com/xikPNAJjxK

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) August 19, 2017