Resentment in PML-N over decision to support tenure bill

Many leaders in former ruling party strongly oppose decision with regard to Army Act

LAHORE: The decision of the PML-N’s leadership to support the Army Amendment Act has left many in the ranks and files of the former ruling party red-faced, as they believe that the decision has practically smothered ideology of the party.

A senior party leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, said this decision of the leadership has brought the party on a par with the PML-Quaid, a party known for its pro-establishment leanings.

“Much of the criticism against this decision of the party is valid. This decision goes against our own narrative of “vote ko izat do” [respect public mandate] and is a big mistake,” he added.

He said the position was taken on the very instructions of the party’s supreme leader Nawaz Sharif, who is currently in London after getting bail on medical grounds.

“The claims that the party supreme leader was not taken on board before the PML-N announced unconditional support for the Army Act was part of a puerile attempt to mislead,” he added.

Alluding to the PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and his likeminded party leaders, he said a team of leaders that wanted party leadership to abandon its narrative had been mentally preparing Nawaz Sharif for quite some time now.

“To ensure that this mind making process is not disrupted, Nawaz Sharif was barred from meeting party leaders when he was in jail and was only allowed to meet certain individuals.

“This decision is a victory for those, who wanted the party to tow the policy of compromise and a defeat for those who had guarded the party’s ideology,” he added.

He, however, rejected the impression that had Nawaz Sharif agreed to tow the policy of compromise earlier he would have been the prime minister and would have been allowed to complete his stint. “The establishment had decided to end his government and nothing would have changed their decision.”

He said Nawaz with his growing popularity was fast becoming a threat to them. “That was the reason a democratic government was replaced with a ‘selected’ party,” he added.

Other senior leaders also expressed similar views over decision of the party stating that the decision has embarrassed party’s ideological supporters.

Senior PML-N leader Rana Tanveer, rejecting the impression that the party had deviated from its stance, said the PML-N has not supported extension in the army chief’s tenure.

“We are only legislating on the subject, allowing the PM to give an extension, when needed in national interest.  Even before the Supreme Court had asked the government to legislate on this matter, the PM had the power to give extension which has been exercised in the past.

“So there is nothing wrong with legislating on this matter,” he added.

He said PML-N does not support extension but that does not mean that the PM should not have powers to give extension when needed.

“Nawaz Sharif expressed this opinion during a recent meeting with party leaders in London. Then it was decided that party will support the legislation with no strings attached,” he added.