Three-time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s way of politics has changed utterly. Most of the people did not expect him saying whatever he said in this recent interaction with the media and public. Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz’s (PML-N) politics has become complex and in future, it seems to be getting more complicated. According to Nawaz Sharif, everything seemed to be working fine under his premiership. Before he was disqualified in Panama Case, everything was under control, extremists were neutralised; foreign terrorists were crushed with the assistance of security establishment, and Pakistan was on the way to becoming an Asian Tiger. But now nothing seems to be all right. Everyone is wrong except Nawaz Sharif.
There was a time when Shahbaz Sharif used to beg non-state actors, Taliban, not to carry attacks in Punjab. These are the same non-state actors which were nurtured by Ziaul Haq and Nawaz Sharif used to consider him his political mentor. He further claimed that he would carry on Zia’s unaccomplished agenda.
Whenever Nawaz Sharif is in power, everything is all right and whenever he is out of it, nothing works fine. What type of relationship is this? Is it the power, in the shape of the premiership, which drives Nawaz Sharif’s politics? To a large extent, this is true.
Nawaz has mentioned non-state actors at this time only to serve his own interests. He clearly wants to pressurise the establishment
The result of the upcoming general election is not yet evident, but if PML-N wins and forms the government in the centre, firstly it will try its best to get rid of article 62 and its subsidiary provisions if it wins a majority in the parliament. Moreover, the entire party will focus on re-electing Nawaz Sharif as the Premier for another time.
Nawaz has mentioned non-state actors at this time to serve various purposes. He clearly wants to pressurise the national establishment, judiciary and army.
On the other side, the current premier Khaqan Abbasi is a victim of confusion. The government of PML-N is unable to pose a unified position. Khaqan Abbasi in the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting rejected what Nawaz said but after that, he bluntly uttered that he stood by Nawaz’s statements and the part where he mentions non-state actors was distorted. He even claimed that Nawaz Sharif is the most righteous man. He rejects things at one forum and supports the same in another. What sort of government denies its own policies and statements?
When logic and rationality are rejected, the truth is rejected as well.
It is evident that Nawaz Sharif is creating confusion even for his supporters by making irrelevant statements. It is getting difficult for them to defend him in public and in TV talk shows. At this time when NAB is proceeding against him, he should have been persistent and consistent and asked his party members to remain the same.
Yet again, it is all about power; once it is gained, nothing goes wrong, and once it is taken away, everything becomes a mess. A sorry state of affairs is that the ultimate loss is of the country and the people who do not possess property in the developed world where they could reside in case things get worse in Pakistan.
The writer is a professional writer and considers writing is the sole purpose of his life. He has done masters in Commerce and History and holds PG Diploma in International Affairs. He can be contacted at [email protected]
Published in Daily Times, May 22nd 2018.