Nawaz Sharif likely to leave for London this week

LAHORE: Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is likely to leave on Wednesday for London, where Begum Kulsoom Nawaz is undergoing treatment for throat cancer, to be with his ailing wife and celebrate Eidul Azha there.

Former prime minister wants to be with his ailing wife and celebrate Eidul Azha in London and is expected to fly to London on Wednesday, quoting sources, ARY News reported.  He will return after the Eid.

Meanwhile, Sharif’s daughter Maryam Nawaz has decided not to go to London to run the election campaign of her mother for the NA-120 by-polls. Former prime minister’s sons – Hussain and Hasan – are already with Begum Kulsoom in London.

Maryam chaired a meeting with the party leaders and activities in connection with the by-election at Punjab chief minister’s secretariat for the second consecutive day on Sunday.

The meeting was attended by party leaders, including Federal Commerce Minister Pervez Malik, Senator Pervaiz Rasheed, MNA Shaista Pervez Malik and Ahmed Hasan, provincial lawmakers Bilal Yasin and Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman.

Sources said the party’s strategy for the by-election was discussed in the meeting.

READ MORE: RIFT GROWS WITHIN SHARIF FAMILY AHEAD OF NA-120 BY-POLLS

It merits mention here that the National Assembly seat in Lahore fell vacant after former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s ouster by Supreme Court in the landmark verdict. The election to the constituency will take place on Sept 17.

The NA-120 by-election has been dubbed as crucial by the ruling party for its survival in the aftermath of Sharif’s disqualification. Thus, it was against this backdrop the deposed prime minister reportedly refused to leave the election campaign for the by-polls to Hamza Shehbaz, who has been looking after election matters in Punjab for quite some time and allowed his daughter to run the campaign.

Last week on Wednesday, Hamza left for London, fueling speculations about rift in the Sharif family. The motive behind his tour was said to be 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 triumph in the constituency, before leaving for London.

Informed sources said Hamza has said that he was a political worker and would continue his political activities. Later, he had expressed dismay over being ignored and apprised his close confidantes that he would leave for abroad during the by-election campaign.