Nasir Azeem |
For a few days, I had eagerly been willing to write and announce an article on the 11 points agenda presented by the Pakistan Tareek-e-insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan. I wanted to do this in front of the entire nation, in front of an enormous crowd in Lahore. However, after coming upon an interview by the three-time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on electronic media, I failed to recall anything about the PTI Chairman and was reminded of a poem called “Patriot into a traitor” in regard to our recent ousted Prime Minster. Though none of us can raise doubts about ones love for their motherland, including that of Nawaz – even after his deliberate attack on our state and it’s organs – the timing is more than enough to raise a few eyebrows of every sane person in Pakistan.
He was never a Statesman
As far as our politics is concerned, you never know what is going to hit you next. Therefore, it was of no surprise when all of sudden print and electronic media poured in with news of the controversial interview that the former Prime Minister Nawaz Shareef recently gave to Dawn news. Not only did he flog the dead horse of the Mumbai Attacks that took place back in 2008, he blamed Pakistan for being responsible for carrying out such militant attacks. He raised questions on the judicial system regarding this matter but forgot to mention that India never displayed serious intent to reach any legal conclusion.
The Accountability Court is about to reach a logical conclusion of the NAB references. These desperate measures and blackmailing tactics are to get a better way out for political face-saving.
Some of the seasoned political analysts are labeling it as “Dawn leaks part 2” and his political rivals are calling his actions an act of treason against the state of Pakistan, which he ruled thrice for more than three decades. Many can agree or disagree with these sweeping statements but the fact of the matter is that this interview clearly shows one thing that Nawaz was never – a statesman, He proved himself, especially when under immense pressure, to be a typical businessman. He showed the country that he can go to any extent to save his thick skin.
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He knows nothing about national interest – the only interest he has served throughout his political career is “self-interest.” It reminds me of a quote from the Godfather movie, “nothing is personal, its all business.” Therefore, the Supreme Court named him the “Godfather” for a reason, while declaring him a liar and a dishonest man. He enjoys zero credibility on his back.
Coming back to the interview that is the talk of the town, the shortcomings of his political character are crystal clear. This goes against the state, not just the military establishment who he has been blaming for his financial wrongdoings after his disqualification.
The method behind this Madness
A former US President once said, “In politics nothing happens by accident, if it happens, you can bet it was planned that way”
Though none of us can raise doubts about ones love for their motherland, including that of Nawaz – even after his deliberate attack on our state and it’s organs – the timing is more than enough to raise a few eyebrows of every sane person in Pakistan.
What Nawaz said seems not a mere slip of tongue but the narrative he promulgated throughout Pakistan after his lifetime disqualification from the public office. He now wants to take it to the new heights specifically to attract the international community and media to bail him out this quagmire. Being a seasoned political figure, he knew the consequences that this would land him in and his party’s position which could not tolerate any further crisis. He wants to establish and imbed the point that he is currently facing such measures, not because of any corruption charges but because of his harsh stance against the establishment.
Read more: ATC acquits Imran Khan in SSP Asmatullah Junejo torture case
Putting the content aside, the timing makes it more dubious. The Accountability Court is about to reach a logical conclusion of the NAB references. These desperate measures and blackmailing tactics are to get a better way out for political face-saving. Never during his reign, did he talk about Indian interference in Balochistan and the tribal areas. He never took the name of Kulbhushan, a serving Indian naval officer. Why did he never demand for a probe in the Samjhota express case that took place a year ago?
He knows that his own politics is virtually over, I fear he would one day turn himself in another Altaf Hussain as these tricks will not serve the political ends and objectives he wants to achieve. Spitting venom against the state will only lead his party to further defragmentation and will prove this the last electoral nail in its political coffin.
Nasir Azeem is a political analyst. He has interests in contemporary politics and history. The views expressed in this article are author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Global Village Space.