ISLAMABAD – Maryam Nawaz has suggested that she might run for prime minister in 2018 general elections, subject to a decision in this regard by her family.

In an interview with The New York Times, Maryam stated that people in her social circle see her in a position of leadership.

“People around me tell me I was meant for a certain role,” she said in response to whether she ever sees herself as the future leader of the country.

Maryam, who is celebrating her 44th birthday on Saturday (today), tweeted that a statement that the Sharif family has decided that she should lead her family’s ruling PML-N was wrongly attributed to her.

She said Nawaz Sharif will continue to lead the PML-N and that she is “not even an aspirant” for the position and would rather serve as a party worker.

“It’s not a divided house,” she said referring to her family, adding that that family takes pride in family values and ethos.In the NYT interview, Maryam insisted that reports of differences within family were exaggerated.

Maryam appeared vehemently positive about the idea of her uncle, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, possibly becoming the next prime minister, saying: “He’s the most competent person. He’s my hero. I love him to death.”

Earlier this month, the Sharif family scions — Maryam and Hamza Shahbaz — had sat face to face since the Panama Papers case rocked the country’s political landscape and led to the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif.

Shahbaz had ‘mediated’ between the ‘rival’ cousins during the meeting, which came amid rumours of infighting in the family.