- Attacking judiciary, NAB and offstage players
The PML-N leadership has concluded that instead of being on the defensive a recourse to bluster is the best way to keep up the morale of its workers. The miserable show of force put up in Lahore by ‘18 parties’ that included PTI, PPP and PAT has created a perception in the PML-N that it has little to fear from the divided opposition. What the PML-N leadership is worried about more is the establishment comprising judiciary and army which it believes is responsible for the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif and is conspiring to keep him out of power.
In his speech at Haripur Nawaz Sharif had once again challenged the Supreme Court verdict against him calling it ‘unjust accountability’. Echoing his leader on Sunday Kh Saad Rafique maintained that injustice had been done to the former prime minister. It is also being suggested that the establishment was behind the revolt by PML-N lawmakers in Balochistan who forced their chief minister to resign and humiliated their own party by voting into power an MPA belonging to its nemesis, the PML-Q. Also that Ch Nisar is being used by the establishment to create differences in the party and foil Sharif’s plans to groom Maryam as his replacement in the party and the government.
The PML-N leadership is portraying NAB as a handmaiden of the establishment sometimes directly sometimes through innuendos, depending upon who is speaking. Shahbaz Sharif reacted strongly to summons in connection with the alleged graft in Ashiana Housing Scheme and promised to soon ‘expose the true face’ of the accountability body and also reveal why he is being targeted. The government is adamant on appointing its own man as DG Prosecution even if it requires bending the appointment rules.
After being a part of the government for more than four years Prime Minister Abbasi has suddenly realised that corrupt judges are being appointed ever since the powers to appoint judges were given to the judiciary. If judges give verdicts in favour of Sharifs, they are honest. Otherwise they are tainted. How simplistic!