Raja Waqas Shabbir |
The political landscape of this unpredictable country continues to face unbelievable chaos. The mainstream political parties are hitting below the belt in the hope of ascendancy. Every day a new drama unfolds & political instability remains a norm. With general elections in sight, political parties are hurling abuses and trading a ferocious war of words.
The disqualification of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif further ignited his egoistic attitude, which the media had falsely reported to have evaporated during his exile. Nawaz’s attitude remains as brittle as it has ever been.
Desperate Sharif looks to Avenge his Ousting
Post disqualification campaign and altercation with the judiciary on the unfavorable judgment has further augmented the confusion among the public over the 28 July panama case verdict. Nawaz loathed the judiciary for the verdict against him. But he’s not only making a case for himself relying on a sympathy factor; he’s grooming Maryam Nawaz too. The father-daughter duo is giving this impression explicitly, and at times directly that the establishment put the full stop on his tenure.
Nawaz is aware of the mistakes of the judiciary in the past. He aims to freshen the memories of the public to degrade the recent commendable work of the judiciary somehow.
Despite receiving a lifetime ban, he wishes to make a return somehow. The Hudaibiya Paper Mills case depicts some success of his struggle against a judiciary under pressure. Moreover, increase in Saqib Nisar’s explanations on different issues shows his desperation too. Nawaz and his antics are troubling. His behavior can risk the future implications of such decisions. Anyone can start denying the judicial decision against him/her. One must remind Nawaz the reasons for his disqualification and his public statements of accepting the court’s decision.
While addressing the participants of a seminar, ‘Future of Democracy in Pakistan,’ he took credit for the restoration of former Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. He said, “it was not only the matter of restoration of [a] few judges. Although, the judges were restored, justice eluded the people of the country.” Time has come to launch another movement for restoration of justice in the country, he added.
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What if he was not disqualified? Would he ever raise a voice against judicial functioning? Why didn’t he raise a concern about the judicial system, before the Panama Papers proceedings started? What steps did he take to improve the justice system in the country, prior to the Panama case proceedings against him?
It is evident to all, since the start of this anti-judiciary campaign starting from GT road, that the house of Sharif has condemned the judiciary in the harshest possible way. But, no action has been taken against them yet.
Narcissistic Sharif actions make it hard to make a return. No wonder on 5 February- Kashmir day, Nawaz said, “if I [Nawaz] were not ousted, there would be no unemployment.” Nawaz’s perplexed strategy to be in the government and playing opposition politics at the same time is unbelievable. The ‘Campaign Agenda’ is simple, play a victim to perfection, abuse the judiciary on its past mistakes, thwart the accountability process, degrade the institutions using anti-judicial rhetoric & somehow save the ill-gotten wealth & damaged reputation post disqualification.
The game plan from Nawaz is to gather mass support across Pakistan which is evident as the ousted PM continues to pull huge crowds to his anti-judiciary campaigns across the country.
Read more: SC issues notice to Nawaz Sharif after adjourning Article 62(1)(f) hearing
Using the deep penetration into the system build due to long rule in Punjab in particular, Nawaz is aware of his core strength. No wonder, he continues to enjoy a very connected relationship with his supporters. When PML-N can dole out a whopping Rs. 54 billion to MPs and Rs. 64 billion to secure 100 NA seats, how is it not possible for him to launch a smearing campaign against the judiciary?
Taking advantage of the situation, having the power to wreak havoc and chaos in the country, if touched, keeps even the senior judiciary at bay, as any unpopular decision could result in disorder across the country.
He uses the taxpayers’ money to shut the mouth of the public. A viable method is to reach out to the public accomplishing small-scale development projects in each constituency and municipality. PML-N apparently uses a tested design. The party releases the funds to each MNA and MPA and depending on the honesty and level of commitment of the individual legislator; money is used to make small bridges and build roads to connect small villages, etc.
Such a design doesn’t require human development projects, or adequate education expenditure because it could seriously hurt the future vote bank. The illiteracy of the masses and lack of personal development is key to their future success.
Read more: Bangladesh: Why Nawaz Sharif has a poor understanding of history
At the same time, debates on media occupy the political altercation among political outfits. The solution of all the ills of the country are rarely discussed. Healthy debates on television can build a more balanced and congruent outcome. However, commercial aspects leading to propaganda and fake news haunts the media industry in Pakistan. The polarised media has been a grave threat to the unity of the country and for the survival and ascendency of the media industry. Blatant partiality and division are threatening and creating an extremely divided society.
Although, the judges were restored, justice eluded the people of the country.” Time has come to launch another movement for restoration of justice in the country, he added.
Taking advantage of the situation, having the power to wreak havoc and chaos in the country, if touched, keeps even the senior judiciary at bay, as any unpopular decision could result in disorder across the country. It is evident to all, since the start of this anti-judiciary campaign starting from GT road, that the house of Sharif has condemned the judiciary in the harshest possible way. But, no action has been taken against them yet.
Nawaz is aware of the mistakes of the judiciary in the past. He aims to freshen the memories of the public to degrade the recent commendable work of the judiciary somehow. It’s a fight between a resurgent institution and beleaguered family desperate to save itself from expected unfavorable decisions in the accountability court.
Waqas Shabbir is a Derby Business School graduate in Finance, currently working as a freelance writer. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect GVS editorial policy.