Is he a leader or one of the led?
Perhaps having had enough of the ministers who had nothing to do even remotely with the foreign affairs, but who are in love with their own voice, a penchant for playing to the gallery even when it is not their business and flaunting their ego on the drop of a hat, the FO finally decided to put them in their place. And how! On Thursday, Ms Tasneem Aslam spoke on two sensitive issues, with a finesse that must have tickled a bone or two of Messrs Ch Nisar Ali Khan and Khawaja Asif – that is if they have one with an iota of tact. Ms Tasneem just stated the obvious, which virtually means that they should leave diplomacy to diplomats.
Diplomacy is a sensitive business and not every politician is adept at it. Like many other things, Nawaz Sharif appears to have been dragging his feet in appointing a full time foreign minister, keeping the portfolio to himself. Leaving an important ministry unattended like this had to have some repercussions, and when the FO had it enough they jumped in and told the politicians what they needed to hear all along: keep your noses out of foreign affairs. What Ms Tasneem has said makes sense as no one state can have relations with another state on a singular agenda. Pakistan and the US have a wide ranging spectrum of issues of mutual interest. However, a lot could change with the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in the next year. But whatever happens, it should be the foreign minister, which is the prime minister himself, who should be issuing any statements on the foreign relations and country’s foreign policy. Ms Tasneem also spoke on Pakistan’s relations with India. Again, she stepped forward to dispel the impression that PML-N’s leaders were creating after the verdict on Kishanganga dam dispute, terming it a victory for Pakistan. The FO spokesperson made it clear that it was not a victory, a determination of which could take many years to come.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is a veteran politician, but letting others lead him would be his ultimate mistake and an invitation for the downfall of his government. Instead of making strong politicians, it is time to strengthen institutions. The worst part is these leaders, who have been voicing their opinions, share sentiments with those of the terrorists. Nawaz Sharif would do well to keep them in check and appoint a permanent foreign minister to handle statesmanship.
