The Faustian bargain

In the mystical realm of folklore and the labyrinth of power, a legend emerges—the tale of Doctor Faustus, a scholar enticed by ultimate knowledge and power. Yearning for eternal might, he seeks counsel from two angels—the white one advises prioritising knowledge over an unquenchable thirst for power, while the dark one urges embracing boundless power. Summoning Mephistopheles, emissary of Lucifer, Faustus seals a deal for ultimate power and glory at the cost of his soul. This Faustian bargain signifies an infernal pact, an inexorable tango with diabolical forces, counterproductive for the individual entering it, as what is relinquished outweighs the gained.

The political history in Pakistan is marred with such Faustian bargains, where each concession exacts a specific cost. The most recent example is the talk of the town—Nawaz Sharif's case. As he prepares to set foot on Pakistani soil on October 21, the ground is ripened for his arrival, evident from his legal team securing protective bail in the Al-Aziza and Avenfield cases ahead of his return. Additionally, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has also suspended his perpetual warrants in the Toshakhana case. However, a crucial fact remains—he is still barred from contesting elections, a decisionto be taken by the judiciary in the upcoming days.

Nawaz’s homecoming is premised on the commitment that he and his party cadres will refrain from vengeance and craft a narrative focused on economic revival and progress for the country. The Faustian overtures, gainsand losses unravel, creating a buzz among the masses who perceive this deal as a reversal from the democratic principles Nawaz Sharif once upheld. This Faustian bargain assures him that he won't be incarcerated or harassed, in return for refraining from engaging in anti-establishment rhetoric. But making a deal with such forces comes at a price.

After a lifetime ban on charges of corruption stemming from the Panama Papers investigation, Nawaz, though permitted to travel abroad for medical treatment, centred his political narrative on blaming the establishment, championing 'vote ko izzat do'. However, this narrative evolved into 'khidmat ko izzat do' during the by-elections. Simultaneously, he faced a challenging dilemma — choosing between preserving his original narrative or aligning with his brother Shehbaz Sharif’s position out of love. This dilemma led to a schism between the Sharif brothers. After consultations with advising figures, one set urging him to maintain his narrative and the other tempting him with the benefits of relinquishing it, Nawaz, akin to the legend of Doctor Faustus, surrendered the essence of his soul to the latter.

It comes at the price of his popularity and the democratic principles he projects to protect. Gaining the charismatic legitimacy once enjoyed among a despondent and poverty-stricken society, facing never-ending inflation, will be an arduous task. The role of other parties will further complicate the road ahead.

Among other parties, the recent Gallup survey indicates PTI as the most popular, but with Imran Khan ousted, only vestiges of the party remain. Their role in undermining democratic undercurrents, resorting to mobs and street violence, resulted in a complete breakdown of the party into various factions. Their deal with Mephistopheles allows what's left of the flock to participate in elections while avoiding direct or structural attacks on institutions.

Similarly, such deals are not unique to these two parties only. For PPP, there's a reminder of historical flirtation between Asif Ali Zardari and these forces. However, this political romance has been disrupted by the entourage of his son, Bilawal. Zardari wants a deal that includes his anointed son, but the proposal on the table excludes his heir. Newly created parties like Jahangir Tareen's Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party and the splintered PML-Q appear to be placed in contours of the broader political bargain. Their inclusion in the deal includes a calculated ballet of seat sharing, positioning them in the circle of influence without losing their allegiance in the continuously evolving political landscape of Pakistan. 

The upcoming elections, announced for January 2024, are set to introduce a new facet not only in the political fabric but also in civil-military relations and the fate of democracy in the country. The return of a once-popular leader and three-time supremo brings some good news, even though conditioned. Nawaz's entry into a bargain implies his fading yet existing significance to pull the country out of economic and political turmoil. The deal depicts a bright prospect for civil-military relations characterised by co-existence, though its duration remains a question for history to answer.