Daily Times

“NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance) will be equivalent to treason” – PM Imran Khan. Before perusing Khan’s statement, we should look at the NRO and its scheme.

NRO was the ‘aha’ moment of Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf back in 2007. The American and Britain establishment arbitrated to let the political players return.  The pact was between the then President Musharraf and Benazir Bhutto led PPP. Both, PPP and PML-N were in exile during Musharraf’s dictatorial regime. In short, Musharraf and Bhutto had a share, Musharraf would remain the President and Benazir would be elected as the PM. Obviously, Musharraf wanted to assert his legitimacy with a major political player. However, the deal debunked when lady Bhutto wound up in Pakistan against the inferred date.

Similarly, the NRO was signed between Musharraf and the Sharif family after the coup d’etat in 1999. Nawaz and Shahbaz along with close aides were behind bars, the Sharif family exerted its influence in KSA and tried to make a deal. Later, the agreement was publicly released after the restoration of democracy. For years it remained shrouded from the public’s eyes. And according to the insider, the then Lebanon President Rafiq Hariri had also supported the Sharifs and gave them safe passage.

If we see the commonality between the two NRO’s signed. It’s nonviable to attain a NRO without military establishment. Secondly, global influence is vital.  Lastly, its signed behind the curtains, and staged on the right time.

The conspiracies regarding the NRO are circulating. It’s anticipated if the NRO is disposed, PML-N will be its beneficiary for now

Now over to the incumbent scenario and Khan’s statement. We have learnt that both major political parties are under severe cases. Nawaz Sharif is in prison indeed. The government which has been formed after July 25, 2018, General Election is frail against the experienced opposition. The conspiracies regarding the NRO are circulating. It’s anticipated if the NRO is disposed, PML-N will be its beneficiary for now. The assessment is, PML-N has the potential to ignite agitation in Punjab and the center because PPP is limited to Sindh. The impetus is to avoid anarchy, let the system float smoothly. If the top notch leadership is dragged in politically motivated cases, circumstances will swiftly turn against the weak regime.

In that context, Shahbaz Sharif is the appointed PAC chairman. Despite the fact, that PM Imran Khan wasn’t in esteem. And it was an equitable stance. Khan’s modus vivendi like the past regimes that is that his win was by the will of the masses. People who believed in idealism were optimistic looking at Khan. However, the government is also crying foul regarding the appointment of the younger Sharif as chairman, infact it wasn’t achievable without the consensus of the government. Skeptical people like me, are still figuring out the coercion behind the appointment of the PAC chairman.

Nawaz is already spending his days in jail. There are reservations regarding his health and he was recently admitted to a hospital. He is the responsibility of the state, and must be cautiously treated. Moreover, a health issue should be dealt sensitively. Nonetheless, it has been intercepted that Nawaz may be allowed to flee abroad for his medical treatment due to his health. It’s stated as the genre of NRO. If this hypothesis turns into pragmatism, Nawaz will be asked to linger abroad until the environment befits his return.

Its perceived through media that the ‘powers to be’ have asked Sharifs to quiet down in return of a deal. The condition has been met so far. And thus the ‘vote ko izzat do’ crusade is paralyzed. A recent relief from the judiciary in the sentence suspension of Avenfield reference is considered as a softening stance.

This is all speculation, however, it will be realistic once the elder Sharif flies abroad. If the deal is practically asserted in PTI’s regime. If Nawaz and Shahbaz are given a NRO at any juncture, then Zardari and company will assuredly get relief in the near future. Therefore, a recovery process of plundered exchequers capital will be halted. And the soap opera of witch-hunting will continue in the name of accountability.

The statement of PM Khan mentioned is the vexation against the de facto powers solely super-intended for the NRO. After years and years, the signed off deal will be manifested before us.

Published in Daily Times, February 13^th 2019.