Efforts afoot to undo conviction
IN tandem with each other, Sharif family and PML (N)as a political estate of theirs, seem only few steps short to seek annulment of conviction of their political and ancestral maestro, Nawaz Sharif for life time formally from higher Judiciary.
It was wherein, he was disqualified to hold a public office for life, being “not honest” by the Supreme Court in its landmark judgment after months of hearing over his alleged corruption, revealed in Panama paper’s leaks.
Its spade work appeared to be completed with release of some audios, videos and a document of similar kind to portray the said judgment a “mala fide” under duress from the quarters that be.
On the appearance, this all looks to be a crude, petty, sketchy and clumsy attempt, incapable of yielding something substantial to get an improbable through but when seen in the backdrop of our past history and more importantly, the recent experiences, one could not summarily discount them as a trash or efforts in vain.
Prima facie, Panama leaks about Nawaz Sharif made an open and shut corruption case against him in the eyes of all and sundry.
On top of this, coupled with his aversion to furnish money trail, he and his family also indulged themselves in forgery to dupe the apex court however, were served with a lenient verdict by the court after dabbling several months on the case.
He was disqualified on a relatively weak aspect of the case; Iqama – a residence permit to live an alien country whereupon, many observers and jurists could not desist themselves from raising their eye brows.
The verdict provided them a political relief and now it may become their jump off point to contest his conviction.
Courtesy special consideration shown by the superior courts, he continued to remain in and out of the prison on one pretext or the other when awarded imprisonment by the accountability courts on corruption charges until he finally, left the country for abroad on grounds illness in exchange of a normal affidavit on the verbal guarantee of his younger brother, Shahbaz Sharif on the directions of LHC.
He was required to return after four weeks or follow a procedure if has to extend his stay abroad, necessitated by his health condition.
Afterwards, he or his guarantor did nothing to comply with judicial instructions but amazingly caused no anxiety to anywhere too except now the government which as per media reports has decided to approach LHC to take cognizance of the continuing lapse for the last over two years.
Another point which may be of interest to note that his daughter Maryam Nawaz was granted bail to attend him during his illness when he was in Pakistan.
He has gone abroad since as mentioned earlier but she is still free to roam around and do the politics freely and brazenly. Whole episode is yet another blot on our judicial system and raises serious questions about their possible ingress within the judiciary.
The Hudaibyia Paper Mills reference against Sharif family was another manifestation of this enduring stark reality.
In 2014, LHC quashed this reference on grounds that confessional statement of Ishaq Dar was coerced and ironically there was no credible evidence in common knowledge to this effect.
This reference was mother of all corruption cases against them and its invalidation was considered commonly as a justice discriminated for.
In 2018 after government of PML (N) in the country, NAB filed an appeal in the Supreme Court to reopen its trial and was dismissed summarily on technical grounds which also did not auger well in larger interests of the judiciary.
Possibly owing to above slant towards them by some elements of judiciary, it is widely viewed that Sharif family may find some sympathetic audiences in judiciary this time also if they approach it for subject proposition.
Besides, majority of the media is hand in gloves with erstwhile ruling elite as they found merger of their interests with them, particularly, with Sharif family.
Somehow the other, our media is notoriously effective in perception building and its management.
It has helped Sharif family greatly to preserve their political base intact despite their massive corruption, total ineptitude, colossal mismanagement and subversion of national priorities and interests while keeping their parochial interests supreme.
With mounting price hike and other lingering weak spots of Imran Khan’s government, it has even picked up the courage to present them a better choice and to good effect too whereas, in reality, their rule was absolutely horrendous and instantly causes shrills in one’s spine if he has some measure of understanding about their rule.
It would serve better their mutual interests if return of Nawaz Sharif to politics is also legitimized by the law, thus media would be many steps ahead to advance his cause, no matter how blatant it may be.
Notwithstanding their hullabaloo against each other, on core issues, our ruling elite stands united for self-preservation and Nawaz Sharif is their strong point man. Obviously, on the inner, they would like political restoration of Nawaz Sharif legally.
Above in view, a common talk has already set in that Nawaz Sharif will be given deal or will get the pardon but Pakistan can ill afford another spell of their disastrous rule. They brought Pakistan to knees in all spheres.
Pakistan is no more a sovereign country. It has to promenade with bowl in its hands in front of every affluent door worldwide. Earlier Nawaz Sharif found an outlet despite resolve of Imran Khan not to give NRO and informed people, being vehemently opposed to it also.
Now he would try to find an inlet, informed people and people who borne the responsibility of high offices have to be extra careful and watchful not to allow a mockery perpetrated upon.
— The writer, a retired Lt Col, is a senior columnist based in Islamabad.
