Avoid doubling down on a bad bet
Nawaz Sharif has been disqualified by the SC from holding public office but he is free to move and express his views through media or in public gatherings like any other citizen. Being a former PM, one expects him to act responsibly and in accordance with the law as he exercises the rights given by the constitution. There is also a need on his part to do some soul searching on his way back home.
If Sharif had hoped that he would meet a sea of humanity on coming out of Punjab House in Islamabad, or for the public to be lined along the entire route to Lahore, he is bound to be dismayed. There were more cars and less people in his cavalcade as he left Islamabad for Pindi. Even Ch Nisar, Shahbaz Sharif and Hamza Shahbaz were absent. One can understand that being the CM, it might not have been possible for Shahbaz to be in Islamabad but why did the other two fail to show up? Nisar, Shahbaz and Ahsan Iqbal had reportedly advised Sharif against proceeding via the GT Road in a cavalcade. Tehmina Durrani’s tweet suggests there could be others too opposed to the homecoming rally.
Sharif has to realise that arrogance of power can turn possible allies into enemies. Not long ago, the PMLN had bluntly refused to join hands with parties who wanted to replace Article 62 with the provisions of the original 1973 constitution. They are not likely to oblige the PML-N if it tries to do away with Article 62(f), particularly if this is done with retrospective effect.
While Nawaz Sharif claims that there has been a conspiracy against him, he does not blame the army, at least those on the top. Sharif has however questioned the propriety of including the ISI and MI officials in the JIT. There is no doubt that he differed with the army’s views on some of the foreign policy issues, particularly relations with India and Afghanistan. The army needs to realise that anyone elected by people’s votes is bound to push the policies devised by his party.