Verifying the proverb “The ice broke, thank God after all” (Kaphr tota Khuda Khuda kar ke), the PML-N has finally kickstarted its politics. The apolitical Shehbaz Sharif has begun taking political steps; calling a meeting of Pakistan Muslim League-N Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the first party meeting officially announced and convened by the federal government, otherwise, the Prime Minister had almost forgotten both the name and the organization of his party. Not stopping at this, the Prime Minister has recently revived his previously established Daanish schools and Daanish University, publicizing them before public opinion. As Chief Minister, Shehbaz Sharif had distributed laptops among young students and successfully divided the youth vote in the 2013 elections, enabling the PML-N to easily form governments in the federation and Punjab. Replicating that same old tradition and experience, he has now started distributing Chromebooks among university and seminary students. Hamza Shehbaz Sharif’s continuous presence in the Prime Minister’s Secretariat and subsequently receiving briefings on all federal ministries one by one is also a major development in PML-N’s politics. Looking at the events of the last few weeks, it clearly feels that after a prolonged period of apolitical governance, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has continuously taken political steps that can be called a breath of fresh air in “Nawaz” politics.
The truth is that criticism against the federal government for not doing politics, not shaping a political narrative, and failing to bring revolutionary changes in the economy was mounting. The budget presented in June was the Prime Minister’s fifth consecutive budget, but it was rightly stated that the government’s golden era has passed and its decline has now begun. There was a lot of debate over this analysis, but as early as July, the failure of the system was declared, yet politics remained silent. However, successive jolts were so severe that the federal government was ultimately forced to pay full attention to politics and its political narrative. The sole path to the federal government’s survival and success is a political narrative and economic prosperity. The Gulf wars have currently blocked the prospects of economic prosperity, but the path of politics is still open—who has stopped them from building a political narrative? Why are the doors of dialogue with journalism closed? Why haven’t press conferences, public gatherings, and interviews resumed? Neither do they meet anyone, nor inform anyone of their stance, nor answer the questions arising in minds. Silence, detachment, alienation, and infatuation with power have never benefited any ruler in the past, nor will they benefit the current government. Communication is the sole medium through which you gain resonance; apart from Rana Sanaullah and Attaullah Tarar, no one makes any effort at communication whatsoever.
It is neither a matter of hesitation nor of shame to admit that whenever we spoke with the PML-N leadership in the past, they would say, “There is no room for politics right now; when the time comes, we will do full-fledged politics.” So, the PML-N leadership was right indeed; only now has breathing space been restored, allowing politics to begin. Now the question is: is this politics being initiated out of a sense of threat, or has the playing field been found completely open, prompting the start of politics? Experience suggests that under current circumstances, it is a mixed situation of both. With a new system impending, the predictions of new faces and new politics are bound to trigger alarm bells. This pressure exists on both Punjab and the federation, yet right now these are the most suitable political moments for the PML-N. Following the imposition of Governor’s Rule and emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has been ousted from the system after being a part of it for fifteen to twenty years. The ruling coalition partner, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), also experiences ups and downs in its relations with the powerful circles. In this scenario, Shehbaz Sharif has become the apple of the eye for important circles, and the political field is not only open for him, but there is also no opposing team on the ground. The only fear left is of the “insolent” spectators, lest they throw stones onto the field. Apparently, this is an opportune time for the revival of PML-N’s politics, but the question is that circumstances have not reduced the number of insolent spectators; rather, their frustrations have grown and their emotions have flared up even more due to the continuous failures of their “Insafian” team and their ultimate eviction from the ground. If the PML-N wants to drive its political vehicle, it must lower the political temperature. Driving a car on a road full of stones is extremely difficult; if the path is straightened even slightly, the car will keep moving and cover some distance.
The next two months are important because constitutional matters are likely to be discussed during this period. New provinces, the local government system, and the outline of the future political structure are tied to these very constitutional matters. True, there are no definitive timetables or deadlines in politics, as circumstances alter both dates and outcomes, but apparently, it seems that the agenda of constitutional matters will take a new shape before March. Now it remains to be seen whether the PPP will support the PML-N on constitutional matters over the next five-month journey or adopt a different path. Apparently, the PML-N does not intend to offer any resistance regarding new provinces, but it certainly harbors inner reservations about the creation of new provinces within Punjab and the consequent reduction of PML-N’s political power and authority. However, for now, the PML-N’s political strategy is that standing straight in the face of a storm and a blizzard is not bravery, but foolishness. As long as the fury of the storm lasts, you should sit or lie down to let the storm pass, and then gradually stand up. Once the weather clears, you will be able to walk with your head held high. In the season of storms and blizzards, one does not have the freedom to walk spread out; politics is another name for sometimes contracting and sometimes expanding.
The PML-N has called a meeting of its KP party organization, the obvious purpose of which is to mobilize the party. However, the PML-N’s biggest stake lies in Punjab, where Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif announces some new development program or project every single day with her charismatic personality. It remains to be seen whether her work has merely enhanced her personal stature or also increased the PML-N’s vote bank. The PML-N’s biggest problem right now is the gap between the top leadership and the voter. While a weak party organization is one reason, the core issue is that due to keeping governance completely apolitical, workers and middle-order leadership are not taking political ownership or political paternity of Punjab’s development works and reforms. This is precisely the gap that yields personal standing, but not voters. Now that the PML-N has finally started politics, it is essential that workers and assembly members are also granted political ownership.