Hoping for a miracle: PML-N turns to the divine to thwart conspiracies

Once aggressive, promotional banners have now taken a defensive tone

LAHORE: As many believe that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif may be on the way out in the wake of Panamagate, streamers aggressively promoting PML-N on Mall Road have now become more subdued and even defensive.

The Express Tribune has observed that the banners of PML-N Punjab have changed their tone. From willing to shed blood on the call of their ‘Quaid’, party workers have now started turning to God to save them from conspiracies. “Androni or behroni shazishain aik taraf, Mera liye Allah hi kafi ha (Internal and external conspiracies are on one side, I have Allah to bank on),” reads one such banner. Even those who designed streamers inscribed with promises of walking alongside Nawaz as he marched forth may have to consider the eventuality of him being replaced as the premier.

Earlier, the PML-N, which rules Punjab and the Centre, refused to even mull over the possibility of the PM’s ouster. However, speculation is now rife that Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif is fast emerging as the top candidate to take over.

At the same time, sources in the Punjab government have officially refused to accept or reject this development.

In the backdrop of these circumstances, the streamers are seen by some as an acceptance of possible changes in the PML-N Punjab chapter.

Punjab Chief Minister’s Senior Advisor Khawaja Ahmad Hasan refused to accept any correlation between the current political development and the softened slogans on banners. “As Muslims, we all have faith in the fact that Almighty Allah is enough for us.”  When asked if some might understand the statement as banking on divine intervention, the senior advisor said it does not signal a defeated mentality, as believed by some. “This is one way of showing support to our party leader.”

A PML-N source has stressed the party’s Punjab chapter, led by Shehbaz Sharif, does not feel the need to defend itself against conspiracy theories. He says the provincial regime shares the same opinion as its federal counterparts that the Panama trial is a conspiracy to topple an elected government. “However, since there is no concrete proof, we have avoided leveling any allegations.  Talking about the wordings of the banner, he points out that Khawaja Ahmad Hasan and others who chose the text are in a better position to explain.

Earlier this month, the opposition joined hands to submit a resolution before the Punjab Assembly (PA), demanding the resignation of Nawaz Sharif till a final decision is reached by over the Panamagate scandal.

The resolution contained the signatures of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf legislators, Dr Waseem Akhtar of Jamaat-e-Islami, Faiza Ahmed Malik of PPP and Khadija Umar of PML-Q. The move was spearheaded by opposition leader Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed.

He said opposition parties in Punjab were on one page over the resignation of the PM. “The rulers are tarnishing the image of Pakistan with their regular appearances before a joint investigation team (JIT). Therefore, the house is demanding the PM’s resignation”.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 23^rd, 2017.