LAHORE:
Former Punjab chief minister Hamza Shehbaz has termed party workers the party’s crown jewel, saying that without the diehard supporters, the party would stand nowhere.
He made the remarks while responding to questions about growing complaints from party leaders who feel sidelined by the leadership, during an off-the-record interaction with journalists earlier this week.
Hamza Shehbaz also hinted at a possible return to mainstream politics through a formal role, without sharing specific details.
Since losing the chief minister’s office following the previous general elections, he has largely maintained a wait-and-see approach.
During earlier post-tenure meetings with The Express Tribune, when asked about his political absence and future plans, he had said he had left everything to fate, a remark that reflected an apparent withdrawal from active politics at the time.
During interaction with journalists, Hamza vowed to play his role in addressing grievances among party leaders and workers.
It is pertinent to note that several party leaders in the province, including MPAs, have privately expressed dissatisfaction with the Maryam Nawaz-led Punjab government, accusing it of ignoring them. The primary concern, according to these leaders, revolves around non-inclusive decision-making and limited access to provincial leadership.
Observers have also pointed out that the Punjab chief minister rarely engages with the media through open question-and-answer sessions, a departure from the practice followed by several previous chief ministers.
According to participants at the meeting, Hamza Shehbaz remained largely cautious in his responses.
However, he did object to the rising cost of Basant celebrations in particular, and festivals in general, noting that Basant was once a festival enjoyed by people from all walks of life but now appeared to have become an event largely accessible to the affluent.
