The PML(N) is between the rock and a hard place. On the one hand, party supremo Nawaz Sharif’s exile from the country has taught him a lot about the larger scheme of things as far as the endeavour of democracy goes in the country. He realised that our nascent and fragile democratic process should not be upset and governments should be allowed to complete their terms. But on the other hand, he is, after all, the head of the country’s largest opposition party and opposition parties leave no stone unturned to dial up the heat for the government whenever they can. The PM’s conviction is an opportunity like no other.
But Mr Sharif would have been content with making all the noises and not much more if it weren’t for the fact that he feels his turn is being encroached upon by the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Isaaf. Vying for the same urban middle-class votes that count as the League’s constituency, the PTI is also encroaching upon the carefully constructed, friendly media-enabled image of clean politics as opposed to the grime of the PPP. And, since the PTI has literally nothing to lose in its sabre-rattling, the elder Sharif now fears the brouhaha over the PM’s resignation, coupled with allied disappointments, has it in it to become a game changer. Much like the later aborted long march towards the capital, which restored the higher judiciary.
Now when the PTI leadership is using terms like Tsunami March, the Sharifs feel Imran Khan is stealing their thunder. The latter has been reinforcing their apprehensions by using the “friendly opposition” line everywhere.
The emasculated League feels this is a time to step up their game, let the real opposition stand up and what have you.
The problem with the series of protests that the League envisages is their lack of specific point or purpose. The government is adamant in its point of view about the issue of the resignation: the premier won’t; he would rather sit out the entire process that spans the gamut of the election commission and the speaker’s office. And the League’s assessment about the issue somehow being like the judges’ restoration is flawed; the government won’t cave in this time.
The result: tumult, with the deep state smirking in the shadows.