Kulsoom or Maryam likely to contest for NA-120 from PML-N

LAHORE: The PML-N candidate for NA-120, Lahore-III, is still undecided, however, the party officials say former first lady Begum Kulsoom Nawaz or her daughter Maryam Nawaz are also being considered for the ticket.

According to Dawn, as told by a party official, the names of Begum Kulsoom and Ms Maryam have emerged as first and second priority, respectively, as PML-N candidates for the seat (that) fell vacant after disqualification of the prime minister.

The former prime minister had earlier wished that his younger brother Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif should contest for the seat but the name was later withdrawn after some senior party members apprehended that in the absence of younger Sharif from Punjab not only the pace of ongoing mega projects in the province would be affected but the party’s energies would also be diverted to his election.

According to the reports, Mr. Shareef will make his final decision on the issue after reaching Lahore as the party had already given him a free hand for picking a candidate for NA-120.

Begum Kalsoom had been politically active during the incarceration of her husband after a military coup by Gen Musharraf in 1999, leading party's movement for his release.