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Saturday, April 13, 2024

Nawaz all set to return: Will his anti-institutions narrative do him any good?

News Analysis |

The ousted Prime Minster and his daughter Maryam Nawaz have finally decided to return back to Pakistan on Friday. Nawaz and his daughter are coming back to the country to save people and democracy. Last night, Maryam Nawaz shared the flights schedule on social media stating that the flight would land at the Lahore airport on Friday evening as per the schedule.

Shehbaz Sharif, President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), had chaired a high-level meeting of the senior party leaders and it was decided that Nawaz and his daughter will land on Friday. According to media reports, “Shahbaz chaired a high-level party huddle in Model Town to finalize a future course of action in light of  party supremo’s return to the country, expected next week.”

The meeting chaired by Shehbaz was attended by top party leaders, including former National Assembly speaker Ayaz Sadiq, former Railways Minister Saad Rafique, former Interior and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Shehbaz’s son Hamza Shehbaz, sources said.

Dr. Moeed Pirzada, a prominent Pakistani political analyst, in his TV show lamented over what Nawaz was doing. Nawaz tried to fool the nation and emotionally blackmail uneducated and politically vulnerable class in Pakistan.

It is important to mention that, earlier Nawaz and daughter Maryam were sentenced on Friday to 11 and 8 years in prison and slapped £8-million and £2-million fines, respectively, in relation to the Avenfield properties reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) last year.

Read more: Nawaz & Maryam conviction: Has NAB set the stage for a…

Nawaz’s ‘Fight for Democracy’

Nawaz Sharif has been claiming to be a defender of democracy following his disqualification from the Supreme Court of Pakistan in Panama Papers Case. Nawaz was found to be ‘dishonest’ and ‘untruthful’ and hence ineligible to be the member of the National Assembly of Pakistan. Nawaz started a mass movement, alleging involvement of establishment and the judiciary in a joint political conspiracy for his removal.

The slogan ‘Vote Ko Izzat do’ (Give respect to Vote) introduced by Nawaz got popularity among several segments of the society. But political commentators criticized Nawaz for bashing at the state institutions for his personal political interest. Nawaz, despite claiming to be the defender of democracy, kept on grilling the judiciary and judges, discrediting their sovereignty.

Later on, three different references were filed by the NAB in an accountability court against the Sharif family. The accountability court heard the came to a conclusion in the given time period by the SC. Nawaz’s wife was not well in London and, according to sources; it was understandable for Nawaz to want to be with her. Nawaz has been in London with his daughter.

The ousted Prime Minster and his daughter Maryam Nawaz have finally decided to return back to Pakistan on Friday. Nawaz and his daughter are coming back to the country to save people and democracy.

Nawaz and his daughter repeatedly attributed their absence to Kulsoom Nawaz’s deteriorating health but there was no official briefing by the board of doctors to verify the Nawaz’s claims for authorities in Pakistan. Sharif was exempted from personal appearance before the court but later on when the application was placed before the judge again, it was rejected. Nawaz wanted the court to delay the decision so that he could come back and appear before the court.

Read more: Nawaz convicted, shamed but still stubborn; says will face courts upon…

The court showed considerable leniency by repeatedly deferring its verdict without receiving any verification from professionals in London regarding Kulsoom’s health. Laws are made to be universally applied. Selective application of law creates lawlessness in any society. Nawaz Sharif who claimed to be a defender of democracy is suspected of using his wife’s disease as a cover to protect his political interests. Dr. Moeed Pirzada, a prominent Pakistani political analyst, in his TV show lamented over what Nawaz was doing. Nawaz tried to fool the nation and emotionally blackmail uneducated and politically vulnerable class in Pakistan.

Moreover, Shehbaz Sharif who is currently heading the party appears unaffected by judgment of the accountability court. There is a fight within the PML-N and the Sharif family over the game of narratives. Shehbaz does not want to confront the state institutions and hopes for a mutually beneficial approach. Nawaz, on the other hand, is on fire and is bashing out at the establishment and the judiciary ferociously, sources said.  It is yet to be seen whether Shehbaz and Nawaz will remain together or part ways for not being on the same page in this game of narratives..