What now?
It is strange that going just by the steady changes in the ‘body language’ of PML-N, analysts have been able to deduce the goings on at the JIT. First, of course, were scenes of outright joy. Back when the 3/2 decision led to the formation of the JIT, the ruling party celebrated by distributing sweets on the streets. The party’s usual loudmouths, naturally, went into instant overdrive. Even more strangely, big-cap media pundits, seemingly independent, predicted the decision would harm PTI ‘beyond repair’. But then, steadily, particularly with the summoning—and, apparently, grilling—of the Sharif family (Dar sb definitely included), the reaction began to change.
Increasingly, the Sharif family and their many, many cohorts, betrayed frustration with the proceedings in the usual media circus just after JIT hearings, just like the drama that followed Supreme Court hearings when the case was being heard there. It seemed, as they spewed venom at microphones, that their sittings were far from comfortable, and that they had been asked very, very disturbing questions, to say the least. That, of course, is all speculation. But even most PML-N advocates would struggle to put a positive spin on their repetitive outbursts.
The latest strategy—though nobody has, obviously, spelled it out as such—seems compromising the credibility of the investigating team as much as possible ahead of Jul10. But now that the team is all set to submit its findings to the Supreme Court, the pendulum can really only swing so many ways. Between the Sharif family landing in trouble and being given a clean chit, there are apparently still plenty of grey areas, including Nawaz being given an opportunity to defend himself in the Supreme Court. Yet the JIT, even though it is an investigating body, will bring one measure of finality to the Panama drama. It will show, beyond doubt, how difficult it is to keep track of the financial dealings of our ruling lords, and what lengths they go to to keep them covered.
