News Analysis |
The continuous circus & soup opera of Pakistani politics does not seem to take a rest. Unwanted political drama and the bemusing saga is entering into unchartered territories. The great games of disgraced PM Nawaz Sharif are continuing with more zeal and energy to make a last ditched attempt to save the house of Nawaz.
According to various sources, Nawaz Sharif is more likely to make another return today. This return is no ordinary as it could indict the Ex-PM in impending cases in National Accountability Bureau (NAB). It will be his third appearance before the accountability court.
Three references were filed by the NAB against the House of Nawaz. These references were drawn in reference to the establishment of 16 companies and London properties.
Read more: Can Nawaz Sharif’s “absconder sons” be forced to appear before Court?
Declared proclaimed offenders (POs)
The accountability court had ordered NAB to declare the sons of the Ex-PM proclaimed offenders (POs) in the previous court proceedings on 9-October. The court has issued a deadline of 30-days after which they will be declared proclaimed offenders.
This appearance of Nawaz is particularly crucial in the context of the recent revelation by the PML (N)’s Senator Pervaiz Rashid who argued that Hassan and Hussein are UK citizens and the Pakistani laws are not applicable to them.
The countdown for their official appearance began on 11– October this month. In case if they fail to appear in the court they would be declared proclaimed offenders and their assets in Pakistan will be ceased.
Read more: Democracy under threat from Nawaz Sharif?
Contrasting echoes from the House of Sharif
Despite being summoned in three graft references; they remain an absentee. The defense had claimed in court, “Nawaz Sharif’s children have no problem with appearing in court; they have been unable to do so as their mother is ill and they are all in London.” It makes both the brothers unlikely to be available in the ongoing court proceedings.
It is the fascinating development in the context that Nawaz himself asked in his address to the nation that he & his family is ready to face trial courts.
This appearance of Nawaz is particularly crucial in the context of the recent revelation by the PML (N)’s Senator Pervaiz Rashid who argued that Hassan and Hussein are UK citizens and the Pakistani laws are not applicable to them.
Read more: Nawaz’s doomsday politics
Change in strategy?
Previously, the house of Nawaz was heard loud and clear that they are ready to face scrutiny in Pakistan and Sharif clan by will and sometimes by force had to appear in JIT proceedings. They demonstrated full intention to appear in the accountability courts.
Apex court has taken a stance and issued a decision to administer the proceedings of the accountability court and ensure the completion of the cases against the powerful but shaken house of Nawaz.
But apparently having witnessed the weak case, they have decided to change the strategy. It is the fascinating development in the context that Nawaz himself asked in his address to the nation that he & his family is ready to face trial courts. But with the passage of time and new developments, his stance is getting weaker, and choice of words against the so-called hostile forces are getting more aggressive and blunt.
Read more: Pakistan: Military take Over in 1999
Is frustration creeping up? Or delaying tactics
The ongoing rhetoric against the unseen forces appears to be the sign of frustration and apparent failure in the court of law. It is the first time that House of Nawaz is unable to maneuver the affairs at their own will. However, the accountability courts’ move first to issue the non-bailable warrants against the Captain (Rtd) Safdar and then granting him bail is perplexing.
Kulsoom Nawaz has started her chemo sessions which will take few months depending on how the patient reacts to the sessions.
Besides, the apex court has taken a stance and issued a decision to administer the proceedings of the accountability court and ensure the completion of the cases against the powerful but shaken house of Nawaz.
But delaying tactics of the family may test the court patience. It will be interesting to see in the next court proceedings that how seriously the court will take this separate appearance issue. Because many political analysts believe that this will make the case weak and despite the supervision of the judge, apparently, this case won’t be finished in 6-months.
Kulsoom Nawaz has started her chemo sessions which will take few months depending on how the patient reacts to the sessions.
Read more: Has Captain Safdar shown the real face…
Maryam Vs Hassan and Hussain
The appearance of Maryam Nawaz in the court reflects her ambition to lead the country in the next elections. Secondly, she has been named only in Avenfield reference, which may make it easy for her to face the brunt of the proceedings. While her brothers have been named in all three references which increases the probability of jail sentence of maximum 10-years if proven guilty.
There will be a huge deployment of Rangers. Amid the chanted slogans of the N-League belligerent and the heavy-hearted supporters, Nawaz will appear in apparently nicely crafted and orchestrated appearance. He needs few of them to flourish a wave of sympathy among his voters.
Maryam Safdar pointed out (in her address to the journalists) after last hearing that the questions in the proceedings are the same which were asked by the JIT. It means that the outcome can be guilty and temperatures are soaring in the courtroom. The only reason why the apex court did not announce the guilty verdict against the House Sharif and passed it on to accountability court was lack of jurisdiction. It was in the jurisdiction of the accountability court to pass on the punishment if found guilty. Now, the Nawaz and family know it well. It will play safe and won’t take any chance by letting Hassan and Hussein come to Pakistan.
Read more: Nawaz wants Martial Law: Zardari
Nawaz waiting for a miracle
Nawaz is aware of the fact that Pakistan’s political scenario is very unpredictable. By issuing hawkish statements, they are already tempting military to take over. But, the military knows that any such move would give Nawaz a clear run. It would even convince the public that it was the establishment which evicted Nawaz to pave for martial law. The military will not make such a mistake now.
Read more: Ahsan Iqbal regrets Safdar’s hate speech but…
Get ready twin cities, Nawaz is due tomorrow. There will be a huge deployment of Rangers. Amid the chanted slogans of the N-League belligerent and the heavy-hearted supporters, Nawaz will appear in apparently nicely crafted and orchestrated appearance. He needs few of them to flourish a wave of sympathy among his voters. Besides, for as long as the defense can ensure the delaying tactics, Nawaz will guarantee to come now and then.