LAHORE - Maryam Nawaz, the daughter of former premier Nawaz Sharif affirmed that there was no split among the members of Sharif family insisting that the rumours of infighting were overblown.

In an interview to New York Times on Friday, the possible political heir of elder Sharif lavished praise on her uncle, the Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif.

'He’s the most competent person. He’s my hero. I love him to death.' Maryam said as she was asked about the possibility of Shehbaz Sharif taking the top slot of federal government in future.

Commenting on the ongoing cases regarding the corruption references filed by National Accountability Bureau, the defacto PML-N leader expressed that the evidence to send her to prison was missing and that the victory in Na-120 by-election was evidence that people still stood by her and the ruling party.

The 44-year-old politician described how Pak Army troops physically dragged her father from office in a bloodless coup in October 1999 and the following years of exile in Saudi Arabia.

'Prisons, disqualifications, sham trials, house arrests, court cases — been there, done that,' Ms. Sharif said.

Maryam, who is entangled in a legal battle regarding the upscale London flats revealed that her grandfather initially recognized her administrative and political potential and appointed her to important positions in the family’s operations.

'Over the years, my father, too, came to appreciate my abilities and now one of my most important skills is the capacity to convey advice and criticism to Nawaz Sharif' claimed Maryam Nawaz.

To a point-blank question whether she envisions herself as the future prime minister of the country, Ms. Sharif resorted to saying that people around told her that she was meant for a certain role.

Although the conversation categorically implied that it was the family’s decision that Maryam should hold the reins of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz, however, the statement was recanted through a tweet.

https://twitter.com/MaryamNSharif/status/924160805901357056

https://twitter.com/MaryamNSharif/status/924162423866712064

 

Family Life

The media interaction was not limited to discussion on the political landscape of the country and Maryam revealed aspects of her family life as well kicking off with her marital journey while expressing that she got hitched to Captain (r) Safdar at the age of 19.

Ms. Sharif detailed that they had now three grown-up kids and getting married earlier enabled her to focus completely on the children.

'I gave all my time to my kids when they were growing up and now, I am independent as I have more time for myself, for my work. I could not be doing all this today if I still had small children.' declared Maryam.

Although the daughter of the PML-N president now enjoys widespread popularity owing to her political role, yet she described her upbringing in a traditional style adding that for a long time she never saw herself in politics.

'My childhood was filled with singing and playing the piano' observed Maryam who dropped out of a medical college to pursue a master’s degree in literature at the University of the Punjab.

Regarding the future of embattled Sharif family and herself, Ms. Sharif noted she doesn't know what may come out tomorrow but reiterated that she owed it to the people.

'I need to reach out to them.'