The temptation of considering oneself indispensable

Countries can’t be run through remote control

Nawaz Sharif is engrossed in finding a way out of the limitations imposed by the Panama-gate judgment. Over the last three weeks he has filed four review petitions in the Supreme Court after brainstorming sessions with his lawyers. The NAB has meanwhile issued him summons to appear. He has declined to present himself on the ground that he was waiting for the Supreme Court’s verdict over his review petition. Another worrisome development is that Begum Kulsum Nawaz has been diagnosed to be suffering from throat cancer. This might require Sharif to join his wife in London.

Despite these issues that must be weighing heavily on him, Nawaz Sharif insists on acting as a de facto Prime Minister. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was required to call on Sharif at Jati Umra to brief him on his meetings with lawmakers in Sindh and Balochistan. The new Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif visited Jati Umra to seek Sharif’s advice before undertaking a visit to Beijing, Moscow and Ankara. PML-N sources have been quoted by media maintaining that after winning NA-120 bye-elections Begum Kulsum Nawaz will take over as Prime Minister. In case this happens this would further strengthen the role of Sharif as the de facto PM.

The policy of keeping all power not only in the family but also a particular branch of the family has already led to heart burnings if not outright divisions. The insistence on controlling the affairs of the state while sitting in the background displays a lack of trust in colleagues. What is more it is outright bad governance. There is a need on Sharif’s part to trust Abbasi who is his own nominee. The new Prime Minister has enough time and fewer worries to do justice to his office. There is a need on Sharif’s part to announce that Abbasi will continue as Prime Minister till the next elections to end the prevailing uncertainty. In case the PML-N wins the elections and Sharif is exonerated by the Supreme Court, he can become the Prime Minister again.