Daily Times

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s power show on Friday, in spite of Lahore’s lockdown has showed that the party’s organisational structures and its workers’ trust in the elder Sharif remains intact. The reports from the ground suggest that there is a widespread perception among the party’s workers that their leadership is being targeted in a witch-hunt.

Since the due process initiated by the honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan in the Panama Papers case, that led to the Avenfield properties trial, is about accountability, it is of paramount importance for the apex court to dispel this perception. The developments so far, however, do not seem very helpful in that regard.

First, the whole episode of Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz’s arrest was mismanaged. There was no need at all to lockdown the city, and to prevent the N-League workers from rallying in solidarity with their leadership. The high number of security personnel present on the airport to take the custody of the two Sharifs was also unnecessary.

Secondly, comparisons are since being made between the manner in which the Sharifs are being treated in jail, and the attitude adopted towards a cop charged with extrajudicial murder. Despite the gravity of the charges against him, the latter was given the privilege of staying at his home, that was declared a sub-jail. In contrast, a three time Prime Minister has been sent to a B-Class facility at the Adiala Jail.

Thirdly, and most importantly, the caretaker administration’s decision to hold the trial in the remaining two references in prison has raised many an eyebrow. There is absolutely no reason why an open trial cannot be held in these two remaining references. With the PML-N support base already having formed an opinion about the apparent partiality of the justice system, the caretakers’ decision to resume the trial in prison will further damage the cause of justice.

Finally, the only silver lining in the whole saga of the arrests so far seems to be Maryam Nawaz’s decision to turn down the offer of B-Class facilities at the jail. Pakistan’s politicians ought to refuse special treatment, and Maryam must be commended for having taken a much needed first step in that direction.

It must be obvious to all that the integrity of the country’s judicial system is at stake in the accountability trial of the Sharif family. The authorities must ensure that their actions do not damage the public’s trust in the system. To begin with, the decision to hold the trial in prison should immediately be withdrawn. Ultimately, the impression that only politicians get to be held accountable also must be dispelled by making sure that cases against high-profile retired army officers are taken to their logical conclusion.  *

Published in Daily Times, July 16^th 2018.