Nawaz back to Jail
Nawaz back to Jail
Editorial
Editorial

The former Prime Minster of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif has finally returned back to Kot Lakhpat jail. Nawaz left his Jati Umra residence in Lahore for jail with a procession of PML-N workers led by Maryam Nawaz around 8:30 pm on Tuesday 7 May. The procession was attended by all senior PML-N leaders including; Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Khawaja Asif, Pervaiz Malik, Javaid Hashmi and other top tier party leaders.

The former Prime Minster of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif has finally returned back to Kot Lakhpat jail. Nawaz left his Jati Umra residence in Lahore for jail with a procession of PML-N workers led by Maryam Nawaz around 8:30 pm on Tuesday 7 May. The procession was attended by all senior PML-N leaders including; Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Khawaja Asif, Pervaiz Malik, Javaid Hashmi and other top tier party leaders.

Although the PML-N supremo was meant to reach the prison before 6pm as per jail manuals, senior leaders claimed he needs only to reach there before midnight. However, his motorcade progressed slowly due to the traffic jam caused by the supporters. He eventually reached the jail around 12:15 am. A heavy contingent of police was deployed on the road adjoining the jail. Special permission was granted to open the jail to let him in at that time.

On March 26, 2019, Nawaz Sharif was granted six-weeks bail on health grounds for treatment anywhere in Pakistan. On May 3, he approached the court to extend his bail and let him go abroad for his treatment yet the court turned down his plea and ordered him to surrender before the authorities on May 7. Justice Khosa remarked that Nawaz was given six weeks for medical treatment, but it seemed he had spent the entire time in tests alone.

The rally to return to Lakhpat jail was organized by PML-N lawmakers to show-off street power and to convey a message to the sitting government that the support base of the former ruling party is still intact. There are media reports that the PML-N MPAs were directed to bring political workers along with them and prepare Iftar for them as well to ensure a good show-out for the rally.

The rally was organized to formally launch Maryam Nawaz who has recently been made vice president of the party. Maryam was leading the rally and updating her followers on Twitter about it. PMLN definitely deserves Nobel Prize in “Sales & Marketing” It has turned Nawaz’s surrender to jail into a victory parade! But its also a hopeless comment on mental level of politics & common sense in Pakistan”.

The  “Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif is back to jail Kot Lakhpat. Wasted the relief given by Court, wasted a political opportunity to get things sorted out for him.”

On the other hand, The PTI government is in panic over the mere appointment of Maryam Nawaz Sharif as Vice President of the PMLN. Maryam Aurangzeb, PMLN’s current spokesperson, and its former Information Minister argued on Tuesday evening, while major political leadership of the PTI government have voiced their concerns over Maryam Nawaz’s appointment, it is still not clear if the government will legally challenge her position as the newly appointed Vice President of the PMLN.

Well, that’s exactly what the PML-N seems to be up to – as of now. The party’s show of power on Nawaz’s way back to prison looks like an act of warming up for confrontation with the government. Frankly speaking, the PML-N politics, of late, is quite confusing – rather erratic. One moment the party is seen on a collision course with the powers that matter, the next it appears trying to strike a political deal with them.

The very ways of the PML-N provide room for party critics to be skeptical of the motives behind the current agitation and quite rightly so. The question, therefore, is very relatable has the PML-N finally decided that it’s time to take the rivals head on, or is it just a means to get into a position to clinch a political deal? Well, only time will give the answer.