Rift deepens within Sharif family as NA-120 by election approaches

LAHORE: The rift within the house of Sharif seemed to further deepen as former prime minister Nawaz Sharif put PMLN leader and Commerce Minister Pervez Malik in-charge of the by-election campaign for the National Assembly constituency NA-120, ignoring his nephew Hamza Shahbaz Sharif.

According to Geo News, Nawaz Sharif's decision has angered Hamza Shahbaz who might leave the country and stay abroad till the election is over.

The TV channel reported Nawaz Sharif forced Malik to assume the charge of the campaign when the latter said Hamza Shahbaz is also suitable for fulfilling the task since he had run vigorous campaign during local government election.

Although Hamza Shahbaz, who was also present in the meeting, didn't raise any objection over the decision, he was visibly perturbed for being ignored by his uncle.

Rejecting reports of differences, a spokesman for the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) differences within the Sharif family could only be wish of opponents that would never be fulfilled.

He said Pervez Malik has been entrusted the responsibility for NA-120 by election since he is the president of the PMLN's Lahore chapter.

"Maryam and Hamza will work side by side by with Pervaiz Malik," the spokesman said. 

Nawaz Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz took to Twitter and posted a picture of a meeting where Hamza Shahbaz and Pervez Malik sat next to each other, rejecting the reports of differences in her family.

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. 

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