Waqas Shabbir |
Disgraced former PM Nawaz Sharif, willingly or unwillingly, has opened a floodgate of negative commentary, following the eruption of a mega-scandal. His admission that Pakistan’s [state or non-state actors] played a role in 26/11 attacks is a slap in the face of our collective wisdom to elect an individual who after self-harming revelations, became a security risk for the country of 200 million people.
He is indeed a security risk, because, on January 04, he threatened to spill the beans in a press conference at Punjab House in Islamabad. Then again, while talking to reporters outside the accountability court, Nawaz used the same threatening rhetoric.
It is not a secret as everyone knows that he is threatening the military establishment. Those who he believes can save him are his nemesis. Nawaz vindicated the Indian stance on the issue. The backlash in the country is natural. He was sniffing a chance to discredit and undermine the security establishment.
PPP also lashed out at Nawaz for the irresponsible and damaging statement. Apparently, Nawaz is the mastermind behind this interview with Dawn.
His failure to utter a word against good-friend Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav left the critics bamboozled. When Indian politicians attacked Pakistan and its military, he did not take a stand.
Read more: Nawaz Sharif re-summoned by NAB for misuse of authority
Kashmir is burning again, violence in the valley is on the rise. Amid massive protests, counterinsurgency operations are targeting the freedom fighters. But, Nawaz and his close ally and the chairman of the Parliamentary Special Committee on Kashmir- Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman remain largely ineffective and did not work to challenge the ‘bloody hegemony’ of the Indian forces in the disputed territory.
Not happy with the establishment’s snub to issue an NRO-II. Nawaz had issued an ultimatum [outside Accountability court] to mend ways or risk facing the music. Threatening Nawaz has apparently reached a point of no return/ a tipping point.
Nawaz used all the channels to repeat the first NRO. He allegedly secured the services of the lobbyist in Washington. He wanted to create a similar pressure which Benazir put on Musharraf through Condoleezza Rice which facilitated the NRO-I. House of Nawaz waited for the right moment to deliver the final soccer punch.
Nawaz emerged as a clear security threat for a nation at a time when Pakistan is engaged on all the borders.
Hoping to secure a settlement which favors Maryam’s future political prospects is the least what egoistic Nawaz desires. Continuation under the ‘house of Nawaz’, not the ‘house of Sharif’ is what Nawaz wants.
Read more: Mumbai attack comments: What future holds for Nawaz Sharif after his…
The defeat in Senate Chairman’s election was the biggest dent to his prospects to legislate at his own will and bring amendments in NAB’s ordinance. Failing to use the trump-card defused the potent power weapon to terrorize the judiciary, NAB, and opposition against the agitation.
Though judge Bashir had announced the decision of the three-references at once, which was considered enough to give respite to Nawaz for a longer period of time. He may get over the line if the verdict is not announced, which is more likely after the 2018 general elections. After a lengthy slumber, finally, PML-N hawks have started to defend their Quaid for life.
PML-N has issued an official statement and categorically denied all the claims made against their party leader. It believes that “Nawaz’s statement was grossly misinterpreted by the Indian media, and unfortunately, a section of Pakistani electronic & social media has intentionally or unintentionally not only validated but has lent credence to the malicious propaganda of Indian media without going through the full facts of the statement”.
His admission that Pakistan’s [state or non-state actors] played a role in 26/11 attacks is a slap in the face of our collective wisdom to elect an individual who after self-harming revelations, became a security risk for the country of 200 million people.
Having seen the extreme backlash on media against the former premier, PML-N is trying to cool down the situation. But, the damage is done. Nawaz emerged as a clear security threat for a nation at a time when Pakistan is engaged on all the borders. But, his camp is adamant that he saved Pakistan and encountered Indian aggression by making Pakistan a nuclear power in 1998.
Read more: Thank you Nawaz Sharif for showing your real colors
Pakistan’s opposition parties have reacted angrily and lashed out at Nawaz for orchestrating this interview purposely to sabotage the image of Pakistan, after being denied personal leverage to move away from the expected imprisonment.
During Karachi jalsa, Imran Khan condemned Nawaz for echoing the international establishment’s narrative. PPP also lashed out at Nawaz for the irresponsible and damaging statement. Apparently, Nawaz is the mastermind behind this interview with Dawn. He purposely chose the newspaper and the Cyril Almeida who was the man behind Dawn leaks-I.
The backlash was expected. Words were carefully pitched to reveal everything, and damage Pakistan, but ensuring a less-honorable exit using defensive tactics which are at the display and will continue in next few weeks.
Waqas Shabbir is a Derby Business School graduate in Finance, currently working as a freelance writer. The views expressed in this article are author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Global Village Space.