Daily Times

It was historic coincidence. On the 40th anniversary of Pakistan’s darkest day — July 5th General Ziaul Haq’s martial law — a graceful, self-styled future prime minister in the making, daughter of his political heir Mian Nawaz Sharif — made her political debut to defend her beleaguered father shoulder deep in the cesspool of money laundering allegations sinking him in the quagmire of uncertainty.

Ever since she stood up outside the JIT’s darbar after her interrogation — chattering class is discussing her future prospects so are others on social media. Under the sizzling sun hotter than the one that got better hold of profusely sweating Finance Minister Ishaq Dar — Maryam kept her cool, did not get swayed by the constant howling competition that one got accustomed to outside the JIT. Thank God the macabre drama is over. How much long it would be to know the findings of the JIT and the ultimate end they would lead to — could be anybody’s guess.

Indeed, as Shakespeare says: “Time and tide wait for no man…”, one can hardly predict course of events or destiny. December 16, 1977 Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, over-enthusiastic cricket fans burst out in a crescendo of ‘Jiye Bhutto’ slogan on seeing in their midst a lonely lady in black, wife of their beloved prime minister ousted and incarcerated by a military dictator who used to spit-and-shine shoes of her husband. One can never forget Begum Nusrat Bhutto’s profusely bleeding head opened by baton charge by Zia’s storm troopers — “kill me, if you can, after me there will be new Pakistan — ” she challenged them.

Never before did we hear of sacrifices by Nawaz Sharif and his family plus their domestic servants/cooks and plane-load of luxurious paraphernalia, for democracy except of course his transitory stay in prison prior to his imperial flight to the comforts of Saroor Palace in Saudi Arabia to set up his new financial empire ‘from scratch’.

PML-N enthusiasts can masquerade around — with or without clothes — if need be — to claim plaudits that don’t belong to them such as their sacrifices, their struggle for democracy, rule of law — including glorious ransacking and invasion of the Supreme Court to oust the then legitimate Chief Justice to replace him with their own bought over by ‘chamak’ in their suitcases.

One prays to the Creator that He does not allow ever again our superior judiciary to repeat history of the past 70 years in which we have had only few judges and judgments that merit appreciation. Perhaps this is the god-given opportunity — it could even be the last opportunity — for our judiciary to repent and redress.

Maryam Bibi, you are standing at a crossroads in your career. Plethora of criticism is already on non-issue as to why you were saluted by the lady police officer and why the protocol. Common courtesies that should be a way of our lives — are being objected to. Many seniors must be jealous within the party as are those in opposition to see the daughter being baptised by PM as his political heir. Irrespective of the Dawn Leak that could have been the nemesis of the Prime Minister — your tweets did make a difference for PML-N. Remember, there is a world beyond Panama; perhaps it could be dawn of new hope for a corruption-free Pakistan.

Just look at the picture of Benazir Bhutto outside the Central Jail Karachi with her three children — Bilawal, Bakhtawar and Aseefa to see their father AAZ incarcerated by the Sharif government on false charges. One can’t miss Benazir’s smile of defiance on her face. She stood like a rock to withstand all the turpitudes. Your party people grumble why you were summoned by the JIT to question you in an air conditioned room. Remember Bhutto’s- the way genuine leaders get baptised. It is not you but Bilawal, Bakhtawar and Aseefa who could proudly claim “yes, we know how terrible it is to be in politics in Pakistan.”

Road ahead is long and strewn with thorns. One should not go by the hullabaloo of the party people when one is in power. In Pakistani politics, there never were more popular leaders than Bhuttos. When there is a change in the direction of wind, fair weathers birds fly away. We have seen why ZAB transferred the mantle of leadership to Begum Bhutto and why Begum Sahiba co-opted Benazir into leadership — had they not done so party would have been taken over by Ziaists. Attempts even now continue but there is strong leadership to hold on.

Slogans “we are with you” are definitely music to the ears. One should not forget October 1999. While PML-N leaders disappeared or preferred to distribute sweets to welcome the day pf deliverance, it was Begum Kulsoom Nawaz who saved the party. Last but not the least, one liked the very meaningful tweet of Maryam that ‘Woh mard nahi jo dar jaye…’ (Roughly translated — ‘A man who is afraid is not a man). Indeed, she is right. Perhaps it would be known sooner than later when the final judgment of the Supreme Court on Panama leak is announced. Whatever is in store for Sharifs — the judgment would definitely make or mar Pakistan’s future.

The writer is the former High Commissioner of Pakistan to UK and a veteran journalist

Published in Daily Times, July 11^th , 2017.