A man on a mission, Nawaz Sharif. He is determined to recast himself and his party in the anti-establishment role. Addressing the South Asia Free Media Association at his house in Raiwind, the veteran leader said that had the military not taken over in 99, the country wouldnt be facing the problems of inflation, unemployment and terrorism that it is today. Though that isnt entirely true, there is no denying the fact that the previous governments policies towards the economy and the war on terror were deeply flawed. But even if the previous regime had tackled these problems well, hopefully the former premier, the born-again anti-establishment politician, will be against extra-constitutional changes in principle, be they against his own government or any other political partys.
In the past, the anti-establishment space had almost completely been cornered by the PPP and the NAP offshoots; it would be interesting to see the role a newer, redefined and pro-democracy League will play in the political arena in the years to come.
While it is heartening to know that the ideas of the head of the countrys second biggest political force are gaining maturity, it has to be acknowledged that he has his job cut out for him. The only real constituency that the military has in the country is central and northern Punjab, which happens to be the PML(N)s support base. How he can explain to his voters that all extra-constitutional adventurism is bad, not just Musharrafs, remains to be seen. This constituency also happens to be rightist and, in some cases at least, sympathetic to religious extremists. Taking a strong stance on terrorism while practising its politics is going to be another challenge. Not buckling under the pressure of the third force to disrupt governance is also going to be tough, which, to be fair to him, he has managed, more or less, since his return. It remains to be seen if he can walk the talk, all power to him if he can manage.