Islamabad: PML-N Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz apparently distanced herself from coalition government led by his uncle Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, saying that her party is not responsible for its performance.

Ruling party leader reportedly made these remarks in recent meeting with representatives of PML-N’s youth wing, local English daily report said yesterday.  “This is not my government. Our government will be when Nawaz Sharif returns to Pakistan,” party sources quoted her as saying during meeting.

According to party sources, coalition partners are playing blame game over poor performance of federal government. During huddle, PML-N Chief Organiser tried to absolve her party of current economic and other crises, stating that she is not part of coalition government.

According to party insiders, Maryam said that PML-N cannot be blamed for performance of coalition government led by PM Shehbaz.

“Our government will be formed when Nawaz Sharif is in Pakistan. Only Nawaz Sharif can take Pakistan forward,” she was quoted as saying. Her statement comes as PML-N-led government is under immense pressure over skyrocketing inflation and soaring food prices ahead of general elections scheduled to take place later this year.

Amid spiralling inflation, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar formally unveiled Rs 170 billion mini-budget that carried some highly inflationary measures but spared commercial banks and traders of any new taxation, weakening coalition government’s case of putting burden on sectors which could bear it most.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 17 2023

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