Like every incoming government, the PML-N was expected to do things differently than its predecessor on coming to power, and so it has been doing. But making political appointments differently than the PPP is causing heartburn in the ruling party’s ranks.

While the PPP accommodated party loyalists, for the PML-N leadership “right connections” seem to be the sole yardstick for selecting people for the political positions.

Diehard PML-N workers and lawmakers appear unhappy over that criterion. Some elected party members feel so disturbed that they have started distancing themselves from the party leadership. According to one of the disgruntled party workers, he will not campaign for his party in the forthcoming local government elections.

In contrast, the PPP leadership rewarded a party member for his loyalty after the 2008 general elections, even though he was defeated in the contest. Zamarud Khan was appointed chairman of Pakistan Baitul Mal (PBM), with the status of a minister, and served the full term of five years.

Many PML-N members had eyes on the post, which controls funds of billions of rupees, after their party romped to power in the 2013 general elections. Land developer Anjum Aqeel was among them. He made hectic efforts for the job but to the chagrin of the fabulously rich Mr Aqeel, and his supporters in the party, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif gave the coveted post to a little known young barrister, Abid Waheed Sheikh. While his predecessor Zamarud Khan was always available to his party workers, Barrister Sheikh is said to lack such bonhomie, which is annoying to the PML-N workers.

According to a party source, his affluence and managerial skills impressed the prime minister and won him the appointment.

Next appointment concerned the multi-billion Benazir Bhutto Income Support Program (BISP). PPP’s Farzana Raja ran it single-handedly for five years.

Many in the PML-N hoped to fill her place after the PPP was routed in the 2013 general elections.

“I know personally that several influential PML-N MNAs met the prime minister and asked for the BISP chairmanship,” said a PML-N office-bearer confidentially.

But the hopefuls felt distressed that the position went to an outsider when they deserved it because they stood by the party even at the pain of suffering at the hands of military dictatorship. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s choice of former PPP Senator Enver Baig for the job felt even more painful. Many in the PML-N are still fuming at the selection of Mr Baig who joined the party only in 2012.

Another outsider causing pain to PML-N loyalists is Azmul Haq Azmi. A Canadian national of Pakistani origin, he was formerly associated with the Punjab government’s media and public relations department.

He just landed in the party before 2013 general elections. Now he has been sent to Islamabad to assist Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Chairperson, Prime Minister’s Youth Loan Scheme, and sits in the prime minister’s office.

Likewise, the appointment of Dr Asif Kirmani as political secretary to the prime minister has not gone well with the party lawmakers who consider themselves more deserving for the position.

A senior PML-N lawmaker described this as “the fundamental difference between us and the PPP” to Dawn.

“In the PPP governments, party workers get preference when it comes to political appointments. In the PML-N, the business interests and personal liking of the leadership prevail in the end,” he said.

“Look at Zafar Iqbal Jhagra,” he added. “In the public eye he holds the important position of general secretary of the ruling PML-N. In practice he has virtually been consigned to political wilderness,” the ruling party lawmaker said.

Poor Mr Jhagra needs permission from others for a meeting with the prime minister, according to him.

Indeed the issue seems to be recognition of steadfast party workers’ sacrifices, not prized postings.