By Qamar Bashir
The tables turned swiftly and unexpectedly against Imran Khan and the PTI. Nawaz Sharif, who had been in self-imposed exile in London for over four years, was transformed from a declared absconder and disqualified for life from electoral contests into a free man. His arrival was marked with grand receptions by associates, loyal followers, and the public, symbolizing a night of celebration and a day of hope across the country. In a remarkable public address, he assured the establishment that he harbors no intentions of seeking political revenge. While outlining his economic agenda, he pledged to continue with his prior policies, likely with the same team. When discussing foreign policy, he emphasized the
futility of maintaining an antagonistic stance toward neighboring nations. Instead, he advocated for breaking the cycle of dependency and harnessing Pakistan’s abundant natural, divine, and human resources for progress and prosperity.
Although not explicitly stated, he alluded to the consequences of those responsible for his downfall three times and warned against a repeat scenario for the fourth time. His confident demeanor, the warm reception at the airport, official protocols, and exuberance conveyed a resounding message: Nawaz Sharif has returned to the political arena with renewed vigor, especially with his potential challengers neutralized.
In a remarkable turn of events, a fate that appeared nearly impossible just a few months ago was transformed into a potential reality. The same strategy that was once employed to turn the judiciary, laws, and constitution against Nawaz Sharif was now used in reverse, effectively altering the constitutional landscape and institutions to his advantage. This remarkable shift allowed him to return from exile, fully exonerated and free of any charges, akin to a rebirth. Nawaz Sharif, who had been a vocal and staunch opponent of the Establishment, had consistently held them responsible for engineering his removal in 2017.
He accused them of colluding with the judiciary to convict him in multiple corruption cases, leading to his lifetime disqualification from politics and subsequent exile in London. Surprisingly, the enduring animosity was set aside, and both sides forgave and forgot. The Establishment, despite its longstanding enmity, became Nawaz Sharif’s proponents, facilitators, and supporters in his journey back to power. This once again exemplifies that, much like in international relations, in domestic politics, there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies.
This seemingly implausible turn of events was achieved through the unwavering determination, resilience, intelligence, and leadership of Maryam Nawaz, and none other. Her steadfast narrative, echoed by all PML(N) leaders without exception, maintained that their leader had been innocent from the very outset. They contended that during Nawaz Sharif's tenure, the country had made significant progress and was poised for remarkable growth. They argued that a dubious plan was concocted as an experiment to elevate Imran Khan to power. To pave the way for his ascent, baseless and frivolous cases were fabricated against Nawaz Sharif.
Ultimately, through collusion and subjugation of the judiciary, he was unseated, imprisoned, and disqualified for life on charges that belied constitutional and legal principles, effectively casting aside the foundations of justice. Their demand is straightforward: the reversal of all unconstitutional, unlawful, and arbitrary actions that had been used to remove Nawaz Sharif from power. They seek to rectify the injustices committed against him and the nation, restoring him to the same position from which he was ousted. Moreover, they call for an examination of all omissions and commissions that facilitated the rise of the PTI and the placement of Imran Khan in power.
This once seemingly impossible and unattainable narrative was gradually woven into reality through the sheer merit of Maryam Nawaz Sharif, who displayed remarkable grit, tenacity, courage, and determination even in the face of daunting and formidable adversity. She orchestrated the political landscape with exceptional finesse, strategically positioning her power players and leveraging them effectively and intelligently. Her moves were marked by mastery, precision, and creativity, all executed at the right moments with strength and meticulous calibration to achieve
the desired outcomes.
First, she succeeded in fully exonerating her father, Nawaz Sharif, while confining Imran Khan to a political cage, dismantling his party, removing him from the mainstream media, ensnaring him in numerous legal entanglements, and rendering his return seemingly impossible—much like how Nawaz Sharif’s return appeared infeasible just days ago. Once she had silenced Imran Khan, she adeptly shaped public opinion, maintained
the core party leadership largely intact with a few notable exceptions, managed to keep the establishment content, curtailed her father's outbursts against the establishment, adroitly manipulated the media landscape, and kept potential contenders for the premiership at bay.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif was well aware that her father’s once-impossible return to
Pakistan was riddled with uncertainties and complicated by legal issues, with a looming risk of his arrest shortly after setting foot in the country. This apprehension was explicitly articulated by the caretaker interior minister, who initially stated that Nawaz Sharif, being a convicted individual, was likely to be apprehended upon his return. However, following a stern rebuke from PML(N) leadership and reprimand from the establishment, the minister promptly retracted his initial statement.
One of the primary challenges Maryam Nawaz Sharif faced was gaining the support of a truncated parliament, which consisted of numerous parties, some of which had a history of intense rivalry with the PML(N), particularly the PPP. Maryam strategically utilized parliament to pass crucial laws, including the Supreme Court Practices and Procedure Act of 2023, which provided her father with an opportunity to appeal his conviction and lifetime disqualification. She was well aware that these laws could not supersede or bypass the constitution, but this was a necessary step to pave the way for Nawaz Sharif's return. Collaborating closely with the establishment, Maryam secured a safe return for her father, facilitated his protective bail, and set the stage for his reentry into politics and a potential fourth term as Prime Minister.
