In the fast changing scenario, political tension is mounting between the ruling and opposition parties and their allies, as three-member bench of the Supreme Court reserved order on ‘Panama case,’ and over the question of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s possible disqualification.
Though no date for the order has been given, there is the indication that it is expected next week.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif still holds the ‘key’ in this scenario, as political development revolves around him, both in favour or against.
For his supporters, his decision to ‘fight and defy’ is the right way in given circumstance while others believe that he should nominate his replacement in case of any adverse order.
Sources said the PM’s decision would set the tone for his government and party’s strategy as the ruling party is expecting the decision next week.
While there are no defections in the party, the issue between Interior Minister Ch. Nisar and PML-N top leadership including the PM remained unresolved and in the last one week, he has not been part of any consultative meetings, but has not resigned.
Sharif also knows problems within PML-N and among his key players like Ch. Nisar, Kh Asif on one hand and between Sanalullah and Abid Sher on the other hand.
The prime minister has also discussed with his colleague how to get Imran disqualified and speed up cases against him regarding foreign funding.
On the other hand, the opposition, particularly Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, is confident of not only victory in the SC but also very optimistic about its success in next elections.
Imran in particular sees ‘division in the PML, and also political exit of the Sharifs.
The PTI has already decided to maintain pressure on the government, which includes holding a grand show in Islamabad after the SC order.
Imran knows the importance of the SC order and also knows that despite victory on the legal front, it would not automatically take him to Islamabad unless he defeated the PML in the Punjab.
Despite all odds against Sharif, his focus would be to retain his position in his constituency in the biggest province.
Therefore, he is particularly in consultation with Punjab leadership to build pressure in the Punjab.
The PPP which politically emerged as a ‘loser’ after it committed a blunder by not becoming a party in this case as a petitioner, now sees the developing scenario healthy for its political space in Punjab.
There is little doubt that the next political battle would be fought in Punjab, and in the changing scenario, the PPP would also take confrontation with the PTI who it believes has caused them political damage.
The PPP has announced ‘Go Nawaz Go,’ rallies in the Punjab, not only in a bid to build pressure on the PM but also to show its own presence in this PML Vs PTI political battle.
While the hearing in the Supreme Court has concluded after the decision was reserved, it is now up to the politicians and parties to cope with the situation.
PM Sharif will lead the party in the next elections, even if the decision goes against him and he resigns as prime minister on the court’s order, not under pressure.
The PML-N has already said that they would accept and respect the Supreme Court’s order.
Reports suggest that the prime minister has held one-on-one meeting with his brother Shahbaz before he held consultative meeting with other leaders over the SC proceedings and possible outcome.
It was an important meeting as the PML-N and Sharif under no circumstances would allow the PTI to take ground in the Punjab, as without winning Punjab, its dream to form government at centre would not realise.
The prime minister and the PML-N looked ‘down but not out,’ from political scene and if the PM and the party decided not to go for fresh polls or dissolved assemblies and instead fight on both legal and political fronts, the opposition, particularly Imran Khan, may face a tough challenge in the Punjab.
Supporters of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) take part in a protest against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Lahore yesterday. Pakistan’s governing party has rejected as u201ctrashu201d a corruption report accusing Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of living beyond his means, the latest in long-running allegations which sparked calls for him to resign.
