JUP vows to support PML-N in NA-120 by-elections

LAHORE: Jamiat Ulema Pakistan leader Pir Ijaz on Wednesday vowed to support the PML-N in the upcoming by-polls for the NA-120 constituency.

Maryam Nawaz, daughter of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, met the JUP chief in the provincial capital and gained the party’s support. 

Ijaz said the JUP and Muslim League have worked together for the formation of Pakistan, therefore, they would back the PML-N in its endeavours for the country’s prosperity.

Maryam spoke to the media after meeting Ijaz and said she is representing the entire Sharif family as her mother was away for treatment in London and her father and uncle were also there. 

Speaking about former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar, Maryam said she respected him regardless and what he said was his manner of expressing his thoughts. 

Earlier, Nisar had said Maryam should only be considered Nawaz's daughter. "Children are only children, they cannot be accepted as leaders," Nisar had said, adding that they are "non-political".

The ex-minister had stressed that Nawaz's daughter needed to prove her mettle first by engaging in real politics. "Maryam Nawaz should understand and partake in practical politics. Only then can she be considered a leader," Nisar had said.

The NA-120 seat fell vacant following the disqualification of Nawaz as the prime minister by the Supreme Court on July 28. In the 2013 General Elections, Nawaz had won the seat by a substantial margin, defeating Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Yasmin Rashid, who will be contesting for the seat this time around too.