The other Bilawal? PML-N considers launching Nawaz Sharif’s grandson for poll campaign

Lahore, July 19: Dynasties never die! After the ouster and imprisonment of former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam, who was set to contest the July 25 general elections, the former ruling PML-N is considering of launching Junaid Safdar, the son of Maryam, for its election campaign, Pakistan's media reported.

Junaid, currently studying in the UK, reached his home country on Monday, July 16, and was expected to meet his jailed family members that also include his father Capt Safdar. The Sharifs and Safdar were convicted in connection to the Avenfield corruption case on July 6 and have been kept in Rawalpindi's Adiyala Jail.

Top sources in the PML-N said Junaid was likely to address corner meetings in certain constituencies.

"Though many PML-N candidates are yearning to invite Safdar in their respective campaigns, it's being planned to arrange corner meetings in constituencies NA-127 (Lahore-V), from where his mother had planned to contest before her disqualification; NA-132 (Lahore-X), the seat where PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif is a candidate; and in NA-59 (Rawalpindi-II), where incarcerated PML-N leader Raja Qamarul Islam is fighting against former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan," a senior party official was quoted as saying.

The official also said that the decision on whether Junaid would address more rallies and the content of his speeches will be taken after he meets Maryam, the reports added.

The PML-N is planning to release more audio and video messages of the imprisoned former prime minister and his daughter during the campaigning phase in case they are denied bail.