The Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) has been afforded a rare opportunity to give the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) a tough time within and without parliament, after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) suspended the accountability court’s verdict in the Avenfield reference.
On Wednesday the IHC moved to suspend the accountability court’s judgment, setting Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam, and son-in-law Capt (retired) Mohamed Safdar free on bail.
The respite might be short-lived, however, as the case remained pending in court, but political analysts viewed the suspension of the Sharifs’ jail term a rare boon ahead of by-elections next month.
Background discussions with senior PML-N leaders suggested that the party hopes to squeeze the maximum political benefit from the release of the former prime minister from jail.
By-elections are scheduled to be conducted for seats in the National Assembly (11), Punjab Assembly (13), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly (nine), Sindh, and Baluchistan Assembly (two each).
The PML-N, it is learnt, is eyeing to secure most seats in Punjab province, considered to be its stronghold.
The party is also eyeing to capitalise on the death of Nawaz’s wife, Kulsoom Nawaz. She died on September 11 of cancer.
The PTI-led coalition government took some unpopular decisions in the mini-budget announced on Tuesday, increasing taxes on the salaried class as well as hiking electricity and gas tariffs.
PML-N leaders say this would allow them to beat the PTI in the by-elections.
“This is a much-needed respite,” commented a PML-N senator, requesting anonymity, on the release of the Sharifs. “The party was in disarray. Workers and leaders alike were disheartened. Our party’s (political) future was uncertain.
“In his (Nawaz’s) absence, the party appeared to be without hope. Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership was rife with internal rifts, resentment and all that. Nawaz’s release would help settle things (within the party).”
Shehbaz Sharif, Nawaz Sharif’s brother, took over the leadership of the PML-N following the latter’s imprisonment.
Veteran PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah said that Sharif, Maryam, and Safdar should have been released a long time ago. “Since day one, our stance has been categorically clear: (Sharif), his daughter and son-in-law were victims of a flawed accountability process akin to a witch-hunt.”
A senior party functionary, who is a close confidant of the former prime minister, said that Sharif would soon hold a meeting of all PML-N’s by-election candidates at his residence near Lahore.
This picture taken on September 19 shows supporters of Nawaz Sharif showering rose petals on a car carrying him and his daughter Maryam after their release from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.
