Daily Times

A lot has happened in last couple of days at the political front. Former prime minister and supreme leader of the PML-N Nawaz Sharif, who has been in the limelight since the Panama scandal and facing a corruption trial at NAB court, gave a controversial statement about the past and closed transaction of Mumbai Attacks. As per the supreme leader, a group of people went from Pakistan and killed around 150 people in Mumbai and their trial at the terrorist court is yet to be completed in Pakistan.

Although previously many people had given statements about these attacks, the way Nawaz stated it is something very strange and irrational. Luckily or unluckily, Indian media took his statement as a moral victory. For many, it’s the recap of Dawn Leaks, and many treated this statement as an effort to distract the people’s attention from the ongoing process of accountability, which is about to end in couple of days. Isn’t it true that Nawaz Sharif had remained prime minister of Pakistan for almost four years? Then why didn’t he do anything to conclude the trial of Mumbai Attacks terrorists? Why a former prime minister who has made himself the foreign minister hadn’t given this kind of blunt statement during his premiership? These are some of the questions which need some proper answers.

The truth behind Mumbai Attacks has many faces. A lot has been written about it. Pakistan’s position has always remained same about Mumbai attacks. Pakistan always demanded a fair investigation of the matter. On the other hand, Indian authorities never took the matter seriously when it came to inquiry and investigation. For example they have never told who killed Hemant Karkare. He was the chief of Mumbai anti-terrorist squad and died during the attacks; a lot was said about his death, because it’s still a mystery as to who exactly killed him. Ajmal Kasab, the key suspect of the attacks, who was caught red-handed, was hanged to death. The Pakistani authorities were not allowed to investigate him. The only thing Indian government has done efficiently is to play a brilliant blame game. They have charged the Pakistani agencies without any strong evidences.

Keeping in view all these facts, one has to admit the fact that it’s a masterstroke of distraction by the ex-PM. In last couple of months Nawaz had done some very interesting things, except to answer one relevant thing, from which income sources the London flats were purchased. Other than this, Nawaz has told us that vote’s sanctity is vital, democracy is under threat, there is a judicial martial law in the country and the best one is his statement about aliens. According to Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan is controlled by the aliens.

One way or another, it’s clear that Nawaz Sharif will do anything for his survival. The Mumbai attacks story is the first distraction card. Many other cards are still in his hand. A man, who has remained an integral part of the power corridors of the nation for last 35 years, obviously has a lot of information. Let’s hope that Nawaz’s distraction cards do not prove harmful for Pakistan

This happens when you stop reading books. If Nawaz has ever gone through any book, he must have known that alien is the most improper simile to be used. It’s writing on the wall that Nawaz will never want a democratic setup where either he or his political heir Maryam does not have any pivotal role. In this regard, his survival strategy is nothing but suicidal: either I will survive or no one will.

What he exactly wants is a reaction. A reaction from the men in Khaki, or in other words a support from the international establishment, that all of these corruption charges have been framed due to his anti-establishment stance. Till now, nothing like this has happened. And it seems that it will not happen in future either. Pakistan is going towards another democratic transition, and circumstances suggest that democracy will prevail without Nawaz.

One way or another, it’s clear that Nawaz Sharif will do anything for his survival. The Mumbai attacks story is the first distraction card. Many other cards are still in his hand. A man, who has remained an integral part of the power corridors of the nation for last 35 years, obviously has a lot of information. Let’s hope that Nawaz’s distraction cards do not prove harmful for Pakistan. Desperation is the worst enemy of a human being, and Nawaz has become desperate. Intentionally or unintentionally, Nawaz has made these corruption charges a war of survival, and one thing is clear, wars never end at mutual agreements.

The writer can be reached at raja_4_92@live.com

Published in Daily Times, May 22^nd 2018.