Can Nawaz Sharif overcome the numerous impending challenges that his political party is facing?
Nawaz Sharif, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, has once again been elected as the head of his political party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz. Despite being forced to resign from the party’s leadership due to his involvement in the Panama Papers corruption scandal, a recent constitutional amendment has paved the way for his return to the party’s top position.
Sharif aims to strengthen civilian institutions in the country, but many believe his return to politics is primarily to sustain his political dynasty, which is currently facing multiple challenges. The core question remains: how does Sharif plan to rescue his political dynasty when his political organization is facing sustained accountability?
One of Sharif’s key advantages lies in his party’s significant presence in the parliament, enabling them to pass or amend laws that may threaten their political future. With the next general election less than a year away, Sharif’s party is likely to use its strong position in parliament to counter challenges, particularly those related to the ongoing accountability drive.
Sharif’s party believes that the accountability drive, particularly regarding the Panama Papers, is politically motivated and orchestrated by other state institutions, particularly the military establishment, to weaken their political support base.
Sharif has been vocal about what he perceives as historic subjugation of civilian leadership by the country’s courts and the military establishment. However, it’s uncertain whether building a narrative around “victimhood” will be successful against the country’s courts and the military establishment.
Sharif appears willing to use his party’s strength in Punjab and in parliament to regain power in the upcoming general elections. However, the extent to which he will use his party’s constitutional strength to change laws remains to be seen, as this could generate significant opposition in the country.
While Sharif has maintained relevance in the country’s policies, his party is likely to face increased scrutiny through court trials and other accountability institutions in the future. Sharif’s narrative of victimhood is being constructed at the expense of these institutions, potentially leading to institutional clashes in the country.
It’s evident that Sharif is determined to remain in power, even if it undermines democracy and institution-building in the country.