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September 08, 2007
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Saturday
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Sha'aban 25, 1428
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Ten reasons why Sharif should reach on Sept 10
Ten reasons why Sharif should reach on Sept 10
WHETHER Nawaz Sharif has a free first day of freedom in Pakistan after seven years in exile or is once again hand-cuffed, Islamabad is surely braced for historic action day after tomorrow.
Sharif has been lampooned for ages on one account or the other — if it wasn’t his Mughal-style pomp or culinary indulgence, it was lack of sophistication as political leader or peculiar willow-wielding at Lahore Gymkhana.
Not to be mistaken for a rhapsody, here are ten reasons why the deposed prime minister should reach the capital on September 10.
DEFIANCE: Once dubbed the ‘child of the establishment’ — an unflattering reference to his guided political rise, his picture perfect defiance of General Pervez Musharraf regardless of the odds has changed the way people think about him.
Of course, Benazir Bhutto’s indulgence for a deal has provided a brilliant contrast but let’s give the devil his due. The reinvented Sharif has stuck to his guns, under tremendous pressure, and perhaps, at the cost of antagonizing the Saudis beyond any future bailout.
BREAKING THE MYTH: He may have lived like a Mughal in his time, but the return should help considerably debunk the myth that anyone in power, particularly a military ruler could do a Bahadur Shah Zafar on any citizen, let alone an elected prime minister. The credit should go to the rejuvenated judiciary but also to Sharif — if he manages to land and then stay put.
SUPREME COURT FACTOR: Political pundits are enthralled by Sharif’s intriguing relationship with the apex court. No prime minister, past or present, has offered a more exciting copy viz-a-viz the apex court.
In 1993, the Supreme Court restored his government when president Ghulam Ishaq Khan, incensed at Sharif’s attempt to revoke Article 58-2(b) that allowed the president to send the PM home and dismiss the government, did just that, but with destructive consequences.
However, during his second stint in power in 1997, Sharif manoeuvred to dismiss the chief justice after a bitter crisis triggered by the latter’s attempt to vacate an amendment in the constitution related to checks and balances in PM’s powers.
The apex court led by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has been a huge blessing though. Citing inalienable right to freedom of movement under Article 15, it has allowed Sharif to return unhindered.
Out of power, Sharif will bank heavily on it but how will he behave if, by a quirk of fate, he finds himself in power again? The excitement continues.
PRESTIGE: American influence — read diktat — in Pakistani power game is a hard fact of life and it ain’t going in a hurry. It is silly to assume Sharif can undo it but people’s power could help make a dent in its sweeping prowess, especially if Musharraf and Benazir continue to make future blue prints in a third country with design provided by foreign masters.
In a fair poll, the so-called ‘moderates vs extremists’ divide bandied by them will only translate into ‘pro-America and anti-America’ votes. No prizes for guessing where that will lead to. In case, no one has noticed, ordinary Pakistanis are crying out for a morsel of self-respect.
HAIR AND NOW: The PML-N leader wears a new crown, post- transplant. He looks dapper with it — and younger. One cannot say, with any degree of certainty, if his recent switch to sharp suits — as opposed to the shalwar kameez-restricted wardrobe — will provide the Armani and Saville Row-suited Shaukat Aziz any competition but he more than makes it up by being a genuine political leader with a constituency to call his own.
Sharif could, however, look more sober if he sheds the loud red neckties. Lighter shades of purple and green that made James Baker (former US secretary of state) would do him a world of aesthetic good.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH: The new Sharif is confidence personified, speaks coherently and with clarity. His command of the Queen’s English is a real surprise (the need for Mushahid Hussain is passi — even in Punjabi).
Not everyone, who stays in London for more than a year acquires the same felicity as well as accent that is easy on the ears of both the Asians and Brits. The witty ones, however, quite enjoy his dismissive reference to General Musharraf as “this man”. At this rate, the general will soon be no-one’s man.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: The Mian is known to be a great food lover. During his time in power, some reports claimed that he didn’t mind taking a flight to Lahore from Islamabad to answer the call of his sweet tooth — usually gajrela with khoya (sweetened carrot dessert with dried milk) from his favourite chef.
It is safe to assume food businesses will have a field day. On the plus side, mango parties, like the one Sharif hosted in the Prime Minister’s House after winning a rare Supreme Court verdict that restored his government in 1993 will lend a fruity punch.
BEYOND THE BOUNDARY: Pakistan hasn’t produced a better batting premier than Nawaz Sharif although famed cricket commentator, the late Omar Kureishi, once told me Zulfi Bhutto wasn’t a bad practitioner either.
With Sharif back, Lahore Gymkhana will gain currency again for Sunday afternoon cameos, the likes of which only Shahid Afridi can provide in Pakistan — but with a difference.
Unlike the cavalier Pathan, no bowler is supposed to get the PM out before he has bludgeoned a customary half century courtesy a fair sprinkling of donkey drops (slow, high trajectory delivery that drops on the pitch, giving the batsman ample time and width to smash it to — or over — the boundary.
CAPITAL REDEMPTION: Islamabad has a cold reputation. The ruling class has always had their day in the sun here like nowhere else but it has often come back to haunt them. Perhaps, it is time to heal the wounds. And nothing would be more symbolic than Sharif choosing to land from where he was forced into exile. Lahori spirit on September 10 could do a lot to win Islamabad a soft corner.
9/10 IS BETTER THAN 9/11: Sharif’s chosen date of September 10 is better than what a day later could have been. The world simply cannot afford another Nine Eleven. Ok, this one is tongue- in-cheek. One hopes for Laura’s sake, George Bush will get the drift. kaamyabi@gmail.com
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