The enigmatic visit

Need for official clarification 

First Shahbaz, then a number of PML-N leaders followed soon after by Nawaz Sharif made a beeline for  Saudi Arabia. None cared to explain the purpose behind the visit. Taking place at a time when the Sharif family faces corruption references in the court and the  opposition parties are ripping the party apart, the unexplained visit was bound to invite criticism. The opposition parties suspect the Sharifs are seeking Saudi intercession to get some sort of relief in corruption references. There is a perception  that  the Saudis   are willing to play ball in return for Nawaz Sharif piping down vis-a-vis the army and judiciary.

That  NSA (Nation Security Advisor) Nasser Khan Janjua called on Nawaz Sharif and discussed matters for five hours, the longest reported meeting Sharif ever attended,  lends strength to the perception.  Both PPP and PTI have reacted strongly  to the idea of a new NRO. If this was to happen, warned  Khursheed Shah, it would amount to sending the judiciary home. As Shah succinctly put it, it would be tantamount to humiliating  Pakistan  by inviting foreigners to interfere in its internal affairs. 

That Shahbaz Sharif was invited by the Saudi government  itself which sent  a  special plane to fetch him indicates  that Saudis also had some pressing issues of their own to discuss. For this they preferred to talk to one  they considered the future Prime Minister  rather than PM  Abbasi whose tenure would end within  a few months.  According to Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Riyadh was keen to discuss regional issues and matters pertaining to Islamic countries.  The Sharifs need to  be reminded that becoming a partner in Saudi regional policy which is geared towards creating an alliance against Iran would be detrimental to Pakistan’s interests. What is more it would amount to a violation of the time honoured principle of Pakistan’s  policy of neutrality in disputes between Muslim countries. 

There are fears that the PML-N  government which faces a severe financial crunch on account of its faulty economic policies might succumb to foreign pressure. In case this happens, it would cause a strong reaction in the country which, among other consequences, would have negative fallout  on PML-N’s  electoral  fortunes.