"So Shahbaz Sharif has been checkmated."
"Checkmated, blind-sided, bushwhacked, sucker-punched."
"And even though the First Daughter did not attend any session where this decision was taken and nor did she attend the sessions where Shahid Khaqan Abbasi's cabinet was finalized, yet she played her cards wonderfully and gave the thumbs down to her uncle."
"Are you being facetious? These decisions were taken at a very high level and her dad had initially nominated her uncle to take over in 45 days but now with the Punjab PML-N leadership, including Rana Sanaullah, who appears to be part of the plan, and the federal leadership deciding to leave the Junior Sharif in Punjab and..."
"Oh come on! Are you trying to tell me that Nawaz Sharif listens to anyone, but himself and his immediate family and that includes wife and children only."
"OK, he has shown no such tendency in the past but people change and with a change in one's circumstances..."
"Hogwash. Maryam Nawaz has won hands down, she has not only ensured her uncle stays in Punjab for the next 10 months at least, but has also rewarded members of her media team - Zubayr had already been rewarded with a governorship, the Two Attackers, Danyal Aziz and Talal Chaudhry are now in the Cabinet, Marriyum Aurangzeb retains her portfolio, so what's left?"
"One thing is left: I reckon the Lahore seat vacated by her dad will be contested by her."
"Hmmmmm."
"What?"
"That would require some assistance from the Punjab government and remember the Uncle and First Cousin ensured that the Speaker with the Charlie Chaplin moustache retained his seat but Kulsoom Nawaz's nephew lost...remember."
"So the Uncle has this card to play?"
"He does indeed and let's be honest, Nawaz Sharif has not engaged in constituency politics for decades so he may require the services of his brother."
"But you know the First Daughter like her dad has no Plan B so if she is disqualified, don't forget the Supreme Court wants the final verdict on all the references against the former First Family in the accountability court by January so..."
"Right, but that's not Plan B - that I hear is to legislate an amendment to 63 (1) (f) and the two-third majority would be possible with MQM-P promised 30 billion rupees for their constituency, and details of the cost to this country for other parties supporting the passage of this legislation is not clear but..."
"Hmmm, Shahbaz Sharif was certainly checkmated, blind-sided, bushwhacked, sucker-punched, and don't forget his biggest supporter Chaudhry Nisar took himself out of the Cabinet... I wonder if Shahbaz Sharif realises it."
"I wonder!"