Deadlock over Panamagate inquiry: Nawaz advised to employ ‘wait and watch’ policy

PML-N strategists pore over options to tackle opposition

ISLAMABAD: Feeling the heat of a looming political storm in the wake of joint opposition’s inflexible stance on Panama leaks issue, the ruling PML-N is deliberating on different options to grapple with the fast unfolding situation.

The party’s top command has reportedly sought suggestions from senior members and these suggestions are being reviewed these days, The Express Tribune has learnt.



Sources in the ruling party said a couple of PML-N lawmakers, who have a say in the policy matters at the Centre, have recommended Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to adopt a ‘wait-and-watch’ policy and to let ‘the dust settle down.’

“The doing-nothing policy really helps. It will not only defuse political tension but also exhaust and frustrate the opposition that will eventually fall short of options,” a source quoted the central leaders as saying. PTI and PAT’s 2014 marathon sit-in in Islamabad is cited as a pertinent example.



“When we reacted (during 2014 protests), there was violence. And when we adopted a wait-and-watch policy, both the parties had to wind up in embarrassment,” said a federal minister on condition of anonymity. “Everything was a mess till we calmed down.  And so did everybody else.”

The PML-N Punjab chapter is of the view that the ruling party should not stay silent on the issue. Reportedly, senior leaders from the PML-N Punjab believe that adopting a passive policy towards the matter will be politically damaging for the party.

“A lot is going to happen in the coming days. The PM has not been around for a while and his arrival back home amidst protests and accusations is something we would never want to happen. Then there are general elections in the AJK where the party is struggling to secure its vote bank.



“Passively responding to opposition’s hostile antics would simply allow them to cash in on the situation, which might cost us dearly,” a source summed up the PML-N Punjab’s stance. Reportedly, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has been advised ‘not to let it go and be aggressive’ on the Panama leaks issue.

As another option, the PML-N leadership is considering tackling the issue aggressively till the general elections are held in AJK on July 21, and to keep the issue lingering thereafter.

Rana Sanaullah, Punjab law minister and a trusted associate of Punjab CM, said the opposition is playing politics on Panama leaks. “They are playing politics for parochial purposes. This does not mean we should have sleepless nights just because opposition wants to pressure us out of nothing,” he told The Express Tribune.

Asked if multiple options are considered to respond to the situation, the minister gave an indirect response. “Multiple options are always considered to respond to any given situation. That is what a political party does.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 22^nd, 2016.