And it’s going to be hard
Neither Shahbaz Sharif nor Khaqan Abbasi who called on the former Prime Minister in London doubt his unchallenged central position in the party. Both are unwilling to accept the ‘minus one’ formula. Many in the PML-N however want Nawaz Sharif to watch his steps as he lambasts the institutions. The confrontation with judiciary and army, they fear, might lead to a premature fall of the PML-N administration even before the party is able to gain a majority in the Senate when elections are held in March. A prominent PML-N leader advised Sharif on Monday to “criticise the decisions of the courts within limits, and go into appeal if you disagree with any decision. But there is no need to fight with other institutions.”
Nawaz Sharif it seems has meanwhile retreated on one point i.e. criticism of the army. But he believes that the only way to prove his innocence before the ‘court of the people’ is to blame the judiciary for partiality. While Sharif has continued to question the transparency of the verdict that disqualified him after his return from Saudi Arabia, he has avoided passing any snide remark against the army.
The former Prime Minister is however adamant on maintaining his position as party president. Ignoring demands from some of the party men he is unwilling to hand over the leadership to anyone including Shahbaz. The controversial person-specific amendment in the Election Bill 2017 which has allowed him to retain his office has been challenged in the Supreme Court. What is more, the ongoing cases against him in the accountability court could possibly lead to a situation where he is no more available to the party for advice and leadership. Pragmatism requires that while retaining an unchallenged position as eminence grise, Sharif nominates someone else as party chief to lead the PML-N into the election fray as the party’s candidate for premiership. This would put an end to the ongoing bickering in the party while saving Sharif from any embarrassing situation.