Nawaz Sharif only viable option for Pakistan: analyst

PM Nawaz's popularity stems from the fact that he is acceptable to majority of Pakistanis, says Tom Hussain

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is the only viable option for Pakistan, which is fighting terrorism on one end while its economy is emerging on the other.

This was stated by political analyst Tom Hussain in an opinion piece on Al Jazeera on Tuesday. He wrote that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is endowed with the qualities of ‘a leader’ as he is supported by majority of Pakistanis for his distinct character and political background.



He said the popularity of PM Nawaz stemmed from the fact that he was acceptable to majority of Pakistanis.

The writer further said Pakistanis had good reason to feel nervous about their PM’s scheduled open-heart surgery on Tuesday.

He added after a breathless transition eight years since its third transition from military rule to elected parliamentary governance in 2008, the elections that year were overshadowed by the tragic assassination of Benazir Bhutto.

Afterwards, the spotlight shifted to Nawaz, whose sweeping victory in the 2013 general election reflected the electorate’s frustration with the declining security situation and economy.



Nawaz’s public approval ratings remain very high, according to opinion polls conducted late last year.

Comparing PTI Chairman Imran Khan, the writer said that he was yet to mature the way Sharif had. Moreover, the PTI chief did not enjoy much public support due to his mere rhetoric, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 1^st, 2016.