If you can’t convince them…
One good argument in favour of ‘confusing’ matters – if, that is, the N-league is really attempting to confuse matters – is that a disputed JIT, on top of a 3-2 split in the SC verdict, is something the N-league might still be able to work with, considering how desperately it has wriggled since the Panama Leaks became public. But, while the Hussain Nawaz photograph is being duly milked, the Nehal outburst still doesn’t make sense. Surely someone, or more than one, has been pulling his strings.
Those with even slightly long memories will remember the N-league trademark of leaving committed yes-men out in the lurch when it gets too hot. If only Nehal had knocked on Rana Sanaullah’s or Pervez Rashid’s doors before swinging his fist and waving his finger, he wouldn’t have had to go back on his word every time he went back on his previous word. First he clearly meant what he said. Then, in hindsight, he didn’t really mean it (on one occasion he even said he was fasting, hence…). Then he meant it enough to resign. Then he didn’t want to resign. Now he wants the party, and the rest of the country, to reconsider their views, etc. Clearly far more questions than answers.
This editorial space has repeatedly questioned, with respect of course, the SC’s decision not to follow the international format in investigating offshore phenomena – go for the money trail first, all else later. By now it is apparently clear that the Sharifs are not going to furnish the JIT, or whoever will investigate them, with any sort of money trail. Considering the circumstances, there can only be one valid reason for the no-show; that they don’t have what the investigation really needs. And if there’s no trail, there’s precious little the ruling family can salvage from this investigation. And, going by their own behaviour, there seems plenty meat in the opposition contention that since the Sharifs can’t convince ‘them’, they’re going all out to confuse them.