- From Khadim-e-Punjab to Khadim-e-Pakistan
Shahbaz Sharif has been elected Acting President of the PML-N by his party’s Central Executive Committee. Within a few weeks he is scheduled to be promoted as party President by PML-N’s General Council.
As PML-N President, Shahbaz has to expand the party to other provinces also to remove the stigma of the PML-N being a Punjabi party. Shahbaz who is the presumptive PML-N candidate for the slot of the PM will have to understand, and give due importance to, the aspirations of each province. As Punjab chief minister he could manage to act like the lord and master of the province. As prime minister he would be required to change his centrist mindset and rule by consensus which is the spirit of the federation. .
Shabaz is known for taking vital decisions in haste and implementing them at a fast speed, longingly referred to as ‘Punjab speed’ even if this requires bending the rules and bypassing the laws. This has led to unintended consequences like inordinate delays and huge losses to national exchequer. The most outstanding, though not the only one, is the case of the Orange Train. It remains to be seen if Shehbaz has learnt from his mistakes.
Unlike a relaxed Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz is a workaholic but many in his own party believe that while he might be an efficient machine he lacks the human touch that endears the leader to the rank and file of a political party.
Despite Punjab being population wise the largest province of the country it remains just one of the four units of the federation. In order to rule the federation Shahbaz will have to forge alliances even with those he has little liking for. This requires a lot of patience which is not generally considered to be his forte. Another requirement of a politician operating at the federal level is an understanding not only of the sensitivities of the potential allies but also what constitutes the possible middle ground where all can to meet. Only time will show if he can manage to do something which has so far been alien to him.
