Despite sharp jabs from its own ranks, the PML-N appears determined to strategically play the proverbial ostrich, burying its head in the sand while hoping that the criticism will not garner traction on its own.
Despite senior party figures openly lambasting the central government, PML-N appears unfazed as sources within the PM House reveal that acknowledging such criticism would only draw unnecessary media attention towards such “gibberish”.
From former interior minister Rana Sanaullah to portfolio-less federal minister Javed Latif, Senator Javed Abbasi and former senator Asif Saeed Kirmani, a slew of party stalwarts has potshots at the party’s leadership.
Their remarks, questioning cabinet formation, casting doubt on the legitimacy of general elections, and expressing disillusionment with the party cosying up to the establishment and abandoning the ‘vote ko izzat do’ slogan.
The publicly aired grievances have dealt a blow to the party’s reputation as a flagbearer of democracy.
Interestingly, all four critics share a common thread: two of them, Sanaullah and Javed, faced defeat in elections, while the others failed to secure party support for re-election, leaving them out of any legislative assembly.
