Failed pursuit

Amid the country’s struggles against the coronavirus, the NAB continuing pursuit of key opposition leaders is worrying some watchers. Most recently, the Bureau’s staff in Lahore tried to pick up PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif from his house in Model Town, but left empty-handed. Shehbaz had missed another hearing of the money laundering and assets beyond means cases against him. While there was no Shehbaz to greet the NAB officials, there were dozens of PML-N workers and media personnel, who were stopped from approaching by the police that was clearly dressed for a fight. Fortunately, it never happened. And the following day, Shehbaz secured a bail from the high court before he could be taken in custody by the NAB personnel present there.

Let’s not debate the charges against the Leader of the Opposition here, but it is worth noting that he did not simply fail to show up. He had made it known to NAB and the court that he was unwell, and that due to his preexisting health conditions, he was also highly susceptible to the coronavirus. “It has been widely reported in the media that some NAB officials have tested positive for Covid-19,” Shehbaz had told NAB in a letter. He had also offered to be interrogated via Skype.

Unsurprisingly — and perhaps accurately — the PML-N immediately pointed to the same coronavirus outbreak as being why NAB was insistent on making Shehbaz appear in person. They accused the PTI of using the case to distract from its mismanaged pandemic response, and the sugar scam in which key PTI leaders and allies were named. The PML-N is also claiming that the government is pushing NAB to prosecute Shehbaz so that he cannot attend budget sessions.

The PTI could have countered well; after all, one of NAB’s charges against Sharif did relate to a sugar mill. An eloquent speaker could well have done the job. But perhaps, it is another reminder that the ruling party appears to lack the parts that move the wheels of government.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2020.

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