Fida Hussnain
In a surprising turn of events, PML-N President and former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif found himself at the center of a legal storm before taking into power and after the fall of the PTI government only to emerge unscathed.
The Ashiana Housing Scheme case, a lingering stain on his reputation, witnessed a surprising twist as an accountability court granted Shehbaz Sharif and ten other accused, including Fawad Hassan Fawad and Ahad Cheema, a clean chit.
The timing, amidst the kickstart of PML-N’s election campaign and PML-N Supremo Nawaz Sharif’s return to Pakistan after a four-year exile, set the stage for a compelling narrative as well as generated debates among the political circles. Marriyum Aurangzeb, former Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, took to the stage in a press conference held at the PML-N Secretariat in Model Town, Lahore, just a day after the legal victory in the Ashiana case. In a bid to dispel what she said “Ladla” (favoritism) attached to the acquittal, Aurangzeb robustly defended the justice system. With rhetorical flair, she questioned, “What is wrong if the justice system is clearing the years-old stains on it?” Her impassioned defense sought to shift the narrative from political favoritism to the rule of law. The intricacies of the legal battles faced by PML-N leaders came into sharp focus during the press conference. Aurangzeb highlighted the various summonses and arrests, particularly noting Shehbaz Sharif’s involvement in the Saaf Pani and Ashiana Housing Scheme cases. Her argument aimed to debunk accusations of favoritism, framing these legal actions as responses to alleged wrongdoings rather than political persecution. Aurangzeb didn’t shy away from pointing fingers at the PTI, accusing them of resorting to threats against the NAB chairman. The alleged directive to install cameras in Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s room, attributed to Shahzad Akbar, added a touch of personal intrigue to the political action.
The mention of the NCA in the UK further heightened the international dimension of the PML-N’s legal battles. Despite efforts to prove wrongdoing, the overseas investigations yielded no results, leaving the party to claim vindication. Aurangzeb’s strategic inclusion of quotes, including Asif Ali Zardari’s anticipation of fair elections and the assertion that Nawaz Sharif could be the next prime minister, added a cinematic touch to the unfolding narrative. These snippets served as teasers for the political saga that promises more twists and turns in the weeks to come. As the PML-N navigates the intricate web of legal triumphs, political maneuvering, and a leader’s return, Marriyum Aurangzeb made an attempt to dispel the impression of what she said “Ladla”.
