A definite plan for return of PML(N) leader Mian Nawaz Sharif was announced about a month back but the protective bail granted to him by the judiciary on Thursday made his home-coming smooth, ending uncertainty about his immediate possible arrest on return from abroad. The former Prime Minister had approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for bail in Al-Azizia and Avenfield references, which approved the pleas, granting him bail till October 24. His arrest warrants issued by an accountability court, declaring him a proclaimed offender, were also suspended and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) did not object to the grant of bail to MNS.
Propaganda by his political opponents notwithstanding, the fact remains Mian Nawaz Sharif, the three-time Prime Minister of the country, was hugely wronged and penalized disproportionately in a case the verdict of which made the country’s judicial system a laughing stock in the comity of nations. Some analysts describe grant of protective bail to him as a ‘great favour’ but there is a predominant view that the NAB was used as a tool to discredit and dislodge Nawaz politically. It is also a matter of record that Nawaz and his family always surrendered themselves before the courts of law irrespective of the nature of cases framed against them. It is, however, generally believed and rightly so that the political landscape of the country has changed a lot since he left for London with the court permission for medical treatment and that he is returning to a totally different Pakistan. The nation stands highly polarized due to the intensive war of propaganda unleashed by vested interests and it is often said that the country has become almost ungovernable. No doubt, MNS and his party PML(N) were popular among masses because of the leader’s vision and ability of the party to deliver while in government. There was a general impression during the period before general election of 2018 that the country was headed towards a positive direction and PML(N) would easily win the election. However, political and electoral engineering as well as alleged manipulation of the Result Transmission System (RTS) changed the election outcome, leading to formation of a government that focused more on alleged victimization of the political opponents than improving governance and delivering as per expectations of the people. It was because of all this that the PTI Government became increasingly unpopular and there was unanimity of views among neutral analysts that the party would not be able to win the next elections. However, the situation changed once again due to implementation of bitter policies and programmes by the PML(N)-led coalition government and the narrative adopted by the PTI leadership after dismissal of the party government as a result of successful no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister. The coalition government, no doubt, saved an imminent default but at the cost of dents to the popularity of the PML(N). People are so disappointed that they have lost faith in statements and commitments and it is to be seen how Nawaz Sharif fares in the changed environment. People want an immediate change in their living conditions which have deteriorated a lot during the last two years. The number of participants of the welcome gathering being organized by his party would give some idea about the strength and ability of the PML(N) to influence the next general election to its favour. Opting to make the vast ground of Minar-e-Pakistan as the venue for the public meeting which would be addressed by MNS, the party has accepted the challenge to demonstrate required numbers and strength but much would depend on what Nawaz has to say. There are also many other issues that would determine the role and future of PML(N) like fate of the cases against him, interpretation of the period of disqualification especially in reference to MNS and Jehangir Tarin, alliances or seat adjustment, narrative it adopts and the election manifesto. On the face of it, Nawaz Sharif is getting yet another chance to galvanize his party and serve the masses and it is now for him to adopt the course of national reconciliation, take all stakeholders on board and steer the country out of the troubled waters.
