Nawaz Sharif’s deportation from Islamabad has opened the option of Pakistan’s political future resting on the shoulders of three women. They include Nawaz’s wife, Begum Kulsum, who is being described by her brother-in-law Shabaz Sharif, as a potential “hot candidate” for the prime minister’s job.

In an exclusive interview in London with The Indian Express, Shabaz said, “Begum Kulsum Nawaz is a hot candidate, yes. We are hoping that Begum Kulsum Nawaz will return to Pakistan soon. Although no date has been announced, we are in consultation with the party and there is a demand from the people of Pakistan that one of the family members should return.”

Shabaz’s projection of his sister-in-law as a future elected leader of Pakistan follows General Musharraf’s decision to deport Nawaz to Saudi Arabia where he has now taken up residence in Jeddah and is now cut off, communicating with none except immediate family members.

Shabaz, who stayed behind in London to avoid his brother’s fate, had an extended two hour telephone conversation with Nawaz immediately before his interview with The Indian Express.

As he sat against the backdrop of two Pakistani flags, Shabaz was asked if Benazir Bhutto and General Musharraf’s wife, Sehba, could also be described as “hot candidates” for future political office.

“As far as the PPP is concerned, Benazir Bhutto has been chairperson for ages and she is a life chairperson as you know,” he said.

“Now what is new is that Musharraf might field his wife as a cover candidate. That’s autocratic, that’s what military dictators do. It’s like Marcos and Imelda Marcos. That is a perfect comparison, but there is no comparison with Benazir Bhutto or Nawaz.”

... contd.