Nawaz has always created mayhem in the government whenever he is the government.
“If Imran Khan had done any one of the things described above, is there any doubt about what Nawaz Sharif in opposition would be saying and doing?”
The worst disease in the world today is corruption, and there is a cure – transparency.
Two issues presently are paramount in Pakistani politics.
First: whether Nawaz Sharif will get away with his arrogant approach after the Supreme Court’s remarks against him (though not proved his involvement in corruption is not denied either).
Transactions and arrangement of funds for purchase of his London property and the formation of off-shore companies exist, though Nawaz and his children are unable to prove the transparency of transactions. The petitioners, Imran Khan and Sheikh Rashid, were unable to provide the proper proof which the legal system requires; as a result the Supreme Court had to form a “Commission” to investigate the matter and inform the Court about the facts and the ground reality.
Second: whether those who would hold him to account remain focused, mobilised and determined.
They are connected.
There are many reasons to stand against Nawaz Sharif, but the one that should take precedence, because it is foundational for decent governments, is his autocratic assumption that he is above the prospect and basics that applies to normal citizens.
Nawaz Sharif, after joining politics, should have separated himself completely from his business interests, as a matter of principal. But, his implicit message has always been: No, I can do what I want.
Should he release details of funds managed to purchase the alleged property the public can see where a conflict of interests might exist, because his credibility will be proved, he will be benefited for himself and for the country, to help the nation to come out of the chaos created. Else, he should resign. But, he says again: no, I can do what I want.
The public is now facing extreme tension as everything in the country stands still under such conditions, with problems rising every time in the PML-N government’s quarters. It’s also the fault of the Supreme Court who has left the book open for discussion rather to announce a firm decision, maybe in Nawaz’s favour.
Nawaz is no goof, as presented by the press or the opponents; he is intelligent enough to control the ambiance, political or other, with his own design unless some Pervez Musharraf challenges it. That’s another thing that he has always created mayhem in the government whenever he is the government. Perhaps he can’t work without such pandemonium or perhaps his imperial thoughts don’t let him work democratically. Every time he tries to become the King of Saudi Arabia – had he tried to be Queen of England, he may have had no problems while ruling this country of innocent, ignorant and diehard people.
He should stop turning the premiership into a permanent and profitable vacation by spending the national exchequer relentlessly and should stop considering the national exchequer as a golden privilege to make him further rich.
Should we know why it is that? Because of our poor accountability systems which always favours the ruling class and slays the normal citizen? Presently, Nawaz appears increasingly isolated within his own administration; resignation of his cabinet’s minister is an example for it. His calling for warmer relations with India even as almost everyone else in his government issues blistering critiques of Delhi. He should disclose details of his business ties to India and interests with Indian businessmen like Jarral.
Power does not corrupt men; Fools, however, if they get into a position of power, corrupt power. (George Branard Shaw)
Has he ever known the full cost of his gallivanting and how many of the millions of dollars involved are circulating through the charges for Lahore and Murree residences security and his repeated visits? But, he says: no, I can do what I want.
And a last question: If Imran Khan had done any one of the things described above, is there any doubt about what Nawaz Sharif in opposition would be saying and doing?
If we come over to Supreme Court’s decision, public is unable to understand the 540 pages. All they know is that there are two segments, the plaintiff and the defendant. If the plaintiff (the one who files the petition or who charges allegations) can’t prove his case the case is dismissed. And, if the defendant is unable to prove his innocence or if can’t produce any document in his favour, the court decides the case against the defendant.
In this particular case, the superior most court of the country has found a new technique to avoid any clear decision: the “Commission” to investigate and conclude the reality. If Imran Khan was unable to provide any evidence against Nawaz Sharif, his case should have been dismissed. And, if Nawaz Sharif and his children were unable to provide any evidence against the charges levied upon him and the family, the court should have given their verdict against him. This third channel has created confusion and unrest in the country.
Practically speaking, in fact, the judges did exactly as they should, aggressively questioning both sides and demanding evidence to back up assertions, having found no such ground to announce the proper judgment they decided to form a commission to reach to some conclusion after the thorough investigation on number of points which mainly require the clarification where the funds came from and how the funds got transferred. JIT’s investigation and report may be a much quicker and more reliable path to the truth, than the newspaper’s cuttings, especially when a person from the armed forces has also be nominated by the SC.
If we take Nawaz’s previous tenures, we find, every time his imperial thoughts developed confrontation with the institutions or with the senior personalities. He had to resign, also forcing the seasoned president Ghulam Ishaq Khan to resign during his first tenure in 1993.
In his second tenure he forced President Farooq Leghari to resign and was able to save his premiership in the conflict between him and the president. His arrogant conduct forced the army chief and naval chief to resign. And, in the last, his childish act forced Pervez Musharraf to oust him, arrest him and deport him to Jeddah for ten years. Nawaz has a bad history, but can’t control his imperial feelings and approach.
It’s said that Nawaz always skates away.
That’s not true.
The country’s citizens can prevail too now. No, you can’t just do what you want in crushing transparency and blurring all lines between your own interests and the public’s.
On the other side, there’s another question, a million dollar question, “if the government is disturbed under the present circumstances, will it affect the national interest projects like CPEC?”
The answer is; possibly yes.
Then the decision seems to be favouring Pakistan’s national security and development process. Countries do run because of personalities, but if a strong system is there, then personalities don’t matter. Our politicians must think about it and all should work for the national interest first. We need to form a very strong system of government.
Stephen Covey has said “Management works in the system, Leadership works on the system”.
Our leadership should work on the system to encompass a better management in the system.
