ISLAMABAD: PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif is facing difficulties in distribution of party tickets because difference of opinion among party senior leaders has come to open on this matter. Nawaz Sharif has shortlisted 2 candidates from every constituency of National Assembly and 3 candidates from every constituency of provincial assembly. Some senior leaders of PML-N want to give 50 percent tickets to new members. On other hand some leaders are opposed to ignore old associates. 

 Some members opposed to give tickets immediately to those who have left PTI and joined PML-N. Despite warning by PML-N Quaid, candidates who have come to give interview are continuing to level allegations against each other.

According to sources senior leaders of party have expressed reservations on some names short listed by PML-N Quaid.

Ishaq Dar, Hamza Shehbaz, Saad Rafiq and Rana Sanaullah are insisting to take along old associates. On other hand Khawaja Asif, Ahsan Iqbal, Ayyaz Sadiq and Maryam Nawaz are supporting to give 50 percent tickets to old members and 50 percent to new members.

Sources said difference of opinion has started coming to open on daily basis in meetings of parliamentary board. Nawaz Sharif is himself noting reservations of those who are having difference of opinion.

Parliamentary board has left final decision on Nawaz Sharif. But he is facing difficulties in giving decision due to differences of senior leaders.

Senior leaders have immense reservations on decision of allotting tickets to some former candidates of PTI. They have said PML-N voters will not cast votes in favour of them in constituencies wherein they will be allotted tickets. PML-N will have to suffer defeat due to this reason. 

On other hand PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb has refuted reports of any differences within party ranks on this issue.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 29 2023

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