- Who’s really doing what to whom?
The current political setup is unfortunately falling prey to one of the best practical jokes of all times but who is exclaiming ‘Bazinga’ in this situation is a question. The opposition leader who was Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz’s candidate for the premier’s slot is behind bars and the constitutional administrative setup by PTI in place is taking all the due or undue credit for the happening. Their chief and other stalwarts keep claiming the wrath is not over, rather is coming to get you all, i.e. whoever is left in PML-N and whomever to start with in PPP. No matter how independently NAB carries out its operations, such statements by the current government, make it dubious which hurts the prestige of the bureau and it’s obviously not the antigraft body’s fault. NAB was in a position to take more of the bigwigs into custody without getting even a little dent on it’s reputation but statements made by the cabinet members tried their best to make the process controversial. This has in the short run and will in the long run benefit the opposition and if the process is slowed down, fault doesn’t lie with the bureau at all. It’s a double ‘Bazinga’ for the PTI to pollute it’s anti-corruption drive with the wrong statements.
If we talk about the same achievement of the current government about nabbing the younger Sharif, Chairman Public Accounts Committee, PTI had earlier thought or probably is still of the same view that they have finished Shehbaz Sharif’s political career once and for all. Now just rewind your memories, recall the last month that Shehbaz Sharif spent in office of the Chief Minister Punjab. In May 2018 alone, he inaugurated expansion project of Recep Tayyip Erdogan hospital in Muzaffargarh. Hospital was upgraded with 250 beds and other medical facilities. The same day, he inaugurated revamped District Headquarter Hospital of Muzaffargarh. In the same month, he inaugurated DHQ hospitals in Chiniot and Okara. A day earlier, he was at Lahore General Hospital to inaugurate Pakistan Institute of Neurosciences. Then, there was a bridge connecting Sargodha and khushab, he went to inspect the Langarwal flyover to see it go operational, then revamped DHQ Hospital Khushab. He also had a stopover in Narowal one day where newly revamped hospital, with latest CT Scan machine and hepatitis screening clinic were launched. In Bahawalpur, he inaugurated upgraded DHQ hospital Rajanpur, followed by a Drug Testing Laboratory, E-Khidmat Centre, Cardiology & Kidney centers, Regional Blood Centre, Child Protection Bureau Bahawalpur in addition to Cholistan Veterinary University. The same month, PKLI reported a historic achievement where first ever kidney transplant was carried out and it went successful. May 2018 also witnessed inauguration of complete functioning of Bhikki 1180 MW combined cycled operations. A day earlier, he inaugurated Surgical Tower at Mayo Hospital in Lahore. In the heart of Punjab, as soon as the civil works were completed he inaugurated the OLMT project with the Test Run of Pakistan’s first ever metro train project. Shehbaz Sharif also inaugurated 92 kilometer long Khanewal-Lodhran dual carriageway, alongwith DHQ hospital Khanewal and Kabirwala Public School. There were several other activities that he carried out during the same month but still opposition lambasted the former chief minister for his poor performance and for the crimes he may have committed or may have not that we don’t know but the lambasting he received while he was in power despite putting in his best according to him was a treat to watch for his critics. During the same period, Shehbaz’s son Hamza and son-in-law were also summoned by NAB. He was being criticised for deteriorating healthcare system in Punjab by the apex court, the same period witnessed toughest of times for the younger Sharif. Opposition back then was like a bear with a sore head and government had failed to get it off it’s back. The criticism was winding the PML-N up, but by the time election results went public, PML-N had realised that it’s time to sit back and relax. PML-N could form a government in Punjab, they had won the toss but invited captain to bat. The same Sharif who was being cursed by the opposition despite being the most hardworking chief minister in the history and in the country as touted by PML-N, the same Shehbaz Sharif is not doing anything. He is on vacation, thanks to the government and those who were calling him names, he can summon them all and hold them accountable in Public Accounts Committee. Now, that is one big ‘Bazinga’.
Faisal Vawda who defeated him and he wasn’t able to appeal for recount in NA constituency in Karachi, Shehbaz has the authority to question him and being the Chairman he has the power to call Sheikh Rasheed, who has been asking him to quit from chairmanship since day one. When the prime minister conceded PAC chairmanship to Shehbaz, the decision was warmly welcomed and appreciated by neutral critics and PTI claimed the due credit for playing their part in valuing the sanctity of democracy. Now, the same party is asking Shehbaz to quit? It’s too early to judge anything but the ruling party must learn when to ‘Bazinga’ and when not.