The internal dynamics of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) are undergoing a significant shift as the Sharif family navigates the complexities of power-sharing between its various branches. At the heart of this transition is a burgeoning rivalry between Maryam Nawaz, the current Chief Minister of Punjab, and her cousin Hamza Shahbaz. Historically, the family had maintained a delicate balance, with the elder Sharif brother, Nawaz, leading the national narrative and the younger, Shehbaz, managing the administrative powerhouse of Punjab. However, as the next generation takes center stage, these traditional arrangements are being redefined.
Sources indicate that an original agreement existed within the family: Maryam Nawaz would lead Punjab while Shehbaz Sharif served as Prime Minister, with the understanding that the provincial leadership would eventually return to Shehbaz’s family, specifically Hamza Shahbaz. This agreement appears to have been sidelined. Maryam Nawaz is reportedly consolidating her influence in Punjab by sidelining Hamza and promoting a new circle of trusted associates. A key figure in this new alignment is Ali Dar, the son of Ishaq Dar and son-in-law of Nawaz Sharif. Ali Dar’s recent appointment as an advisor in the Punjab government is seen by political analysts as a strategic move to build an alternative power center that bypasses Hamza Shahbaz.
The marginalization of Hamza Shahbaz is not merely a matter of family preference but is reflected in the administrative machinery of the province. There are reports that the bureaucracy in Punjab has been subtly instructed to prioritize directives from Maryam’s office while downplaying the influence of the Shehbaz camp. This internal friction has occasionally spilled over into the media, with leaks regarding government expenditures, such as the controversy over luxury aircraft, being attributed to different factions within the family attempting to undermine one another.
This internal discord comes at a time when the PML-N faces significant external challenges, including economic instability and the enduring popularity of the opposition. The focus on dynastic succession and internal maneuvering risks alienating the party’s core constituency and distracting from the urgent needs of governance. As Ali Dar is groomed for a more prominent role, the traditional "Shehbaz style" of administration in Punjab is being replaced by a more centralized leadership under Maryam Nawaz. Whether the Sharif family can maintain its unity under these shifting power dynamics remains a critical question for the future of the PML-N and the political stability of Punjab.
