This way or that way
The final word will take its sweet time coming, but there’s only so long before it finally comes. The honourable judges didn’t really have to assure everybody that the judgment would be according to the law. That is their job and nothing less is expected of them. But as decision time nears it is only natural for Pakistan to debate what-if scenarios; the media, of course, taking the lead. The biggest surprise, for the government at least, would be the axe falling on Nawaz Sharif.
Granted, this is not the first time the SC has sent a PM packing. But Nawaz is no Yousaf Gilani. He is central to PML-N. It would rattle Islamabad and send the markets into a tailspin. The pendulum could swing anywhere between a quiet replacement and focus on election to immediate election. There’s no saying where the chips might fall. Or, on the other hand, it could be the other way; which also means more confusion, at least, all the way to the election.
Either way, everybody’s realised by now just now much Panamagate has made everyone take their eyes off the ball. Corruption is an important national subject no doubt, but nothing about this case directly concerned the people. Also, Nawaz has too much on his plate in the leanest of times; with the foreign portfolio, etc. Buried neck deep in a battle for personal survival, for which he’s employed the entire PML-N machinery, has left him with precious little time for his main job – running the country. This way or that way, there’s little in this for the people to cheer.