Secrecy surrounding the issue makes it even more controversial
The brotherly Muslim country, amid the ongoing political crisis in Pakistan, has once again stepped in, apparently on request of the Sharif’s, and extended its support in reviving the political stability in the country. The Sharifs’ flying to Riyadh, despite clarification from KSA, has sparked suspicion and speculation among the political circles once again that the Sharif’s are seeking support from Saudi Arabia, and attempting to reach an NRO like deal with the Kingdom given their relations with the Royal family.
Nawaz, allegedly, might go into exile in order to avoid corruption charges against him. The Saudi leadership, the PML (N), and the local diplomatic circles, however, have negated any possibility of reviving another NRO, and have declared the visit as routine to discuss matters of bilateral interest between the two countries.
The ousted Prime Minister arrived in Saudi Arabia on Saturday following his younger brother, the Chief Minister of Punjab, Mian Shahbaz Sharif and the minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafiq who were already in the Kingdom.
The reach out to Saudi Arabia apparently is a result of the recent political crisis in the country amid the one of a kind historic judgment by the Supreme Court of Pakistan disqualifying the sitting Prime Minister, Mian Nawaz Sharif, following the corruption charges against him and his children. The ruling party, PML (N), is facing an identity crisis, and ambiguity till date is what defines the political scenario in the country.
Seeking assistance in domestic affairs, however, is not an exclusive trait of Pakistan, but a shared one with Saudi Arabia, as the latter has sought Pakistan’s support more than once in testing times
There is a government in place, but governance seems missing. The deposed Prime Minister, ever since the apex court’s judgment, has maligned the national institutions of conspiring against democracy and the ongoing economic progression in the country. Speaking to public gatherings, Nawaz choosing the course of confrontation has intentionally tried to instigate the public against national institutions for disrespecting the public mandate that he had earned.
The Saudi leadership is expected to play its part in convincing the disqualified Prime Minister to avoid politics of confrontation, and resort to a politically reconciled approach with the establishment and national institutions. The discussions may have also made way for Shahbaz to succeed Nawaz and take over the charge of PML (N)’s future politics as there is a serious leadership crisis presently. The Kingdom is also expected to announce an economic package for Pakistan soon.
The deposed Prime Minister, ever since the apex court’s judgment, has maligned the national institutions of conspiring against democracy and the ongoing economic progression in the country
Saudi involvement in domestic affairs will not be a first of its kind. Pakistani politics, ever since the inception of the country, has ironically remained a subject to foreign involvement and interference in the domestic affairs influencing the civil-military decision making at the top level and hence compromising the persuasion of national interests. The circle of external influence, whereas is dominated by World powers like the United States, and China, also comprises of a prominent representative from the Muslim World, i.e. Saudi Arabia. In the past as well, Saudi Arabia has played an active part in shaping the course of political structure in Pakistan, and being a brotherly Muslim country enjoys more acceptance in domestic affairs as compared to the US and China.
Seeking assistance in domestic affairs, however, is not an exclusive trait of Pakistan, but a shared one with Saudi Arabia, as the latter has sought Pakistan’s support more than once in testing times. For Pakistan, however, it is imperative to maintain a balance in the relationship between the two countries while protecting its national interests and sovereign decision making. Any extension of assistance should be purely based on prevalence of collective national interests rather than any particular individuals. To what extent does Saudi Arabia go in accommodating the Sharifs and how Pakistan regulates the entire process to reach a more meaningful end for itself will be interesting to see.
The entire episode will play a decisive role in shaping the future political course of not just the Sharif family, and the PML (N), but Pakistan at large.
