PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif has refused to budge on reviewing his political narrative for the general elections, which are scheduled to take place in January 2024, sources told Aaj News on Saturday.

They added that there were two groups in the party: pro-aggressive and conciliatory groups. Nawaz’s stance means the pro-aggressive group narrative was getting support.

Bigwigs of PML-N are in London to discuss the changing political landscape in Pakistan, with SC striking down the NAB amendments and the PPP calling for “a level playing field”, as Nawaz is scheduled to return to Pakistan on October 21.

There was a suggestion that the PML-N should set their campaign around economic relief. But sources said the N-league has decided to contest elections with the narrative of accountability as they believe the country could not progress without the accountability of those who played with the future of Pakistan.

The former prime minister has called for an investigation against the former army chief, ex-spy chief, and two former jurists for “stopping Pakistan’s progress”. He believes that the two army men were behind the alleged conspiracy of 2017—a claim apparently related to his disqualification from the prime minister’s office.

PML-N leaders Rana Sanaullah and Javed Latif also have similar views. They also made posts on X on Friday.

But many politicians have asked Nawaz to review his position.

In an interview with DawnNewsTV, PPP leader Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah advised the PML-N against seeking action against former army chief Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa and ex-spymaster retired Lt-Gen Faiz Hamid and not to engage in such confrontations.

Many have also criticised the PML-N’s “selective” accountability and asked them for seeing the past before making such demands.

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“I would have ignored it, if it was only about me. But developing Pakistan was affected, so the people behind the conspiracy should be held accountable,” sources quoted Nawaz as saying.

They added that PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif was not able to convince his elder brother to “take a soft stance”.

Maryam Nawaz was among the leaders who supported Nawaz’s stance, sources said. “Supporters of the party were also in support of taking a hard stance against the conspirators. Now the country cannot progress without strict accountability. What is happening in the country for 76 years should not happen now,” they quoted her as saying.

In the PML-N huddle, Shehbaz spoke about the concerns of some party leaders while Maryam informed the attendants about the concerns of senior leaders.

The PML-N has decided to form a committee for the narrative and party manifesto.

Shehbaz told reporters on Friday that he was in London for deliberations over administrative and legal affairs.

He stated that he had arrived in the city on the directives of the party supremo Nawaz Sharif to participate in the party huddle.