Muhammad Usman
NOTWITHSTANDING claims of UK, being an abode of civil liberty, freedom of expression and lofty ideals of democracy, it is also a haven for fugitives from law, convicts, money launderers and renegades on superficial grounds. Two days before, London was venue from where a convict, absconder and disqualified politician, Nawaz Sharif spoke to gathering of allegedly corrupt politician sat Islamabad albeit called APC. Though his address contained nothing anew yet it warrants stringent scrutiny because it was tantamount to causing a Bolton state institutions, rule of law and moral and social fibre of society. He spat out every word of borrowed script insensitively with no regard to national pursuits. He singled out defence forces, NAB Chairman and judiciary for his malicious diatribe.
In countries where democracy is at nascent stage, defence forces ought to act as stabilization force. Despite their plate spilling over, they also did it splendidly. They played a very positive role to bring democracy thus far. Inevitably, they had to become a Centre of Gravity for the country for variety of reasons notably, complacency, indifference, incompetency and corruption of democratic regimes. They played their part to help governments of PPP and PML (N) to complete their full tenure in power. Both are ungrateful lot because they could not see beyond their nose. The allegation of a state above the state is mischievous. Defence forces sought responsibility, not authority. This remained invested with civil leadership but they failed however, excelled in stashing huge piles of illegal money abroad. Regardless of their ungratefulness/recklessness, nation acknowledges their fulsome contributions and hold them in high esteem. Dawn leaks were handiwork of his own, Shabaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and his other close cronies. He conveniently forgets that it was his interview about Mumbai attack which India cited in support of Kulbhushan’s case at ICJ. He never denied it. It was virtually repetition of Dawn leaks. Instant flimsy tirade is yet another fresh indictment of similar intent.
NAB Chairman also came under fire for not obliging them as former Chairman NAB, Qamar Zaman Chaudhry insulated ruling elite against cases of massive corruption. Under {in-}famous 18th Amendment, they thought that every handpicked Chairman would owe to them equally but now finding it to the contrary, they are perplexed and talking nonsense hysterically in the face of mounting cases of corruption against them. They also want pliant Judiciary, comprised judges as of Justice Qayyum who could dance to their tunes tamely. They want judges who could exonerate them from even open and shut cases as of Hudaibiya paper mills case. Like other institutions of the country, both these institutions are also marred with institutional decay and decomposition. Their efficiency is at the lowest ebb. Their working is slanted towards mighty, rich and influential people. Legal niceties/quibbling weigh heavily in their favors. Consequently, ruling elite could hoodwink them. Probably, this is the reason that no mega case has reached its logical conclusion.
Nawaz Sharif bragged that their struggle is not against Imran Khan. It is against those who installed him into power i.e. the system. It seems untrue. They want to dislodge him sooner than later. His success would ruin them eternally. Main aim is his ouster. Fight against system is ideological fervor which he wants add to his phony struggle. Ideology is foreign to his life. He could sit on any nest as his past indicates. Even now, he has strived hard for an underhand deal. Probably, his silence for a year was for this end. The entire ruling elite is in unison to ditch Imran Khan. They spare no moment to portray him incompetent who has failed completely to run the country. Nawaz Sharif talked about poor economy and deteriorating international relations. Both plummeted to the lowest under his government. The economy was at edge of the cliff with insurmountable debts and deficits of all kinds. A slight push could roll Pakistan downhill irredeemably. Kashmir issue was in cold storage particularly, owing to his private friendship with Indian leadership/grand businessmen. He kept Foreign Ministry with him and he was unlettered in foreign relations. Consequent upon this, these slipped into doldrums with sword of FATF also hanging on head. Possibly, this could only be done by a man who is under some obligations. Whatever he talked, it was a sum of contradictions, inconsistencies, lies, fabrication and oversimplification.
Generally, a political leader could ill afford to talk so rabidly however, he could because his hapless/gullible supporters could condone him including his massive corruption for an assiduously built image of him khata hay tu laghatha bhe hay. It was a degrading sight to see media telecasting his speech full screen as a bounden duty. It was abetting violation of court orders which barred him from making statements on media. PEMRA also slept. Government opted for making a smart move not to obstruct transmission of speech to expose him and gain political mileage. It was abdication of responsibility morally and legally because speech by a convict and absconder could impinge on people morally and socially particularly, on pliable minds of youth/children. Our moral/social degeneration is already causing telling effects. Its reinvigoration ought to be a serious preoccupation because it is turning out to be a big impediment to forward moves for revival. The government needs to devise strategy to prevent its reoccurrence and make Nawaz Sharif pay for the lapse. It also needs to be probed that who were his actual audiences as India is also rejoicing it.
— The writer, a retired Lt Col, is freelance columnist based in Islamabad.
