News Analysis |
Maryam Nawaz, daughter of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the newly appointed vice president of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has announced to lead protests across the country against the incumbent government. She made it clear how she will no longer focus on her agenda of getting her father out of jail but rather address the challenges the country is facing at the moment.
For political observers, call for nationwide protests is demonstrative of the fact that the PML-N vice president’s policy of pressuring the courts through leaked videos to release Nawaz Sharif has failed.
Maryam Nawaz has announced to lead protests across the country against the incumbent government.
She took to Twitter and wrote: “Insha’Allah [Godwilling] I shall be leading protest rallies across Pakistan that will not only ask for justice for Nawaz Sharif but demand rule of law, freedom of expression, end to [the] manipulation of the entire system to punish public representatives, stealing people’s mandate, [the] imposition of SELECTED.”
Read more: Post-affidavit scenario: Has Maryam Nawaz won the battle?
Insha’Allah I shall be leading protest rallies across Pak that will not only ask for justice for Nawaz Sharif but demand rule of law, freedom of expression,end to manipulation of the entire system to punish public representatives, stealing people’s mandate, imposition of SELECTED
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) July 16, 2019
She added: “Every Pakistani who wishes to live in a free, democratic and just Pakistan, must join.”
Every Pakistani who wishes to live in a free, democratic and just Pakistan must join.
یہ وطن امانت ہے اور تم امیں لوگو https://t.co/FGBW0NqLtW— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) July 16, 2019
For many political observers in Pakistan, it is important to understand the overall political context in order to comprehend the political significance of Maryam’s latest tweet. A few days ago, Maryam Nawaz along with other senior leaders of the party, held a press conference and showed the video of Judge Arshad Malik, Judge of the accountability court who convicted Nawaz Sharif in Avenfiled reference.
The leaked video, claimed Maryam, indicated that the judge was under extreme pressure and was compelled to convict Nawaz contrary to the facts. According to Maryam, the video was secretly recorded by a PML-N activist Nasir Butt, who happened to be Judge Arshad Malik’s friend.
For many political observers in Pakistan, it is important to understand the overall political context in order to comprehend the political significance of Maryam’s latest tweet.
Later on, the judge not only termed the video fabricated and misleading but also submitted an affidavit before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and clarified that he was not only offered bribes from the Sharif family but also threatened of dire consequences if he does not resign. Judge Arshad Malik elaborated his meetings with the Sharif family and their representatives and disclosed that he was under pressure to take money and not convict the PML-N supreme. However, the judge stood firm and decided the case on its merits.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan was approached to probe into the matter since the leaked video raised some serious questions about the independence of courts in Pakistan. During Tuesday’s hearing, Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khan Khosa headed a three-member bench and raised the question regarding what the SC can do in this case. He explained that there can be a case of breach of privacy by leaking a personal conversation.
Read more: Why was Maryam Nawaz interview stopped?
He issued notices to the attorney general to elaborate as to what the SC cannot do in this regard while not affecting the verdict of the judge in Avenfield case. Dr. Moeed Pirzada, the prominent Pakistani political commentator, was the first person who highlighted and repeatedly maintained that Nasir Butt, who visited the judge in probate capacity, should be probed for leaking a video containing personal discourse.
He based his argument on the premise that many foreign diplomats and ministers often meet journalists and frequently share off-the-record information as well. No journalist is ever expected to leak the video of such a discussion. He urged Pakistani media and public intellectuals to approach the matter from this standpoint, which is vital to ensure privacy and grace expected in a democracy.
It is believed that Maryam’s failure to seek any concession for her convicted father has prompted her to be more aggressive. It is not clear if the PPP and other political parties will join the PML-N in protests which, at this point, does not have a clearly defined agenda to achieve against the government.