Nawaz’s poll ‘popularity’ under scrutiny with Imran incarcerated

Political analysts raised concerns on Wednesday over the exclusion of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from the upcoming election race.

This exclusion has led experts to assert that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif is gaining popularity through questionable means, sparking a heated debate in political circles.

The Express Tribune Chief Editor Naveed Hussain shared his insights on the matter during an Express News talk show 'Experts'. He stated, "The largest party, which held the previous government, was thrown out of the race of the election and competition, and then it is being said that Nawaz Sharif is popular."

He further scrutinized the speech made by Maryam Nawaz, PML-N senior vice president and chief organiser, also Nawaz’s daughter. Hussain highlighted contradictions in it and expressed worry about the party's apparent disconnect with public issues despite its three terms in power.

He was sceptical about assessing Nawaz's popularity solely based on large gatherings, stating, "If you gauge Nawaz Sharif's popularity only based on large jalsas, so if the person imprisoned in Adiala is given a chance, he could host an even grander jalsa; popularity cannot be measured in this way."

The chief editor criticized the economic conditions during the 16-month tenure of the Pakistan Democratic Alliance (PDM) – coalition government led by the PML-N - alleging that so-called economic experts brought the country to the brink of bankruptcy. He stressed the unfairness of attributing the economic crisis solely to the PTI government.

The senior analyst lamented the apparent unawareness of the PML-N leadership to the people's problems despite three terms in power.

Meanwhile, in a satirical tone, Daily Express Group Editor Ayaz Khan asserted that Nawaz Sharif's actions set him apart. These included attacking the Supreme Court and issuing warnings to serving generals.

Khan, commenting on Nawaz's statement “I am not an imported prime minister,” raised questions about the PML-N supremo’s claim of being a local leader when he travels abroad when not in power.

Read Poll says Imran leads approval ratings

He advised, “The PML-N supremo talks about prosperity in his past tenures. If this is the argument, then Bilawal should also quote the price of commodities during the era of his maternal grandfather, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.”

Comparing the developmental work of the PML-N and caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Punjab, Khan pronounced a "knockout," asserting that nations do not develop using this approach.

However, Express News Islamabad Bureau Chief Amir Ilyas Rana countered the opinions of both Hussain and Khan and defended the PML-N and its leader Nawaz Sharif. Rana claimed that Nawaz has delivered for Pakistan, with projects bearing his name.

He also criticized the PTI and Imran Khan for alleged lack of development work in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa during a decade-long tenure, resulting in significant provincial debt.

The bureau chief justified the imprisonment the PTI's founder’s imprisonment, alleging that Imran orchestrated attacks on important state institutions. Rana firmly stated, "There is no comparison of Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif."

Express News Karachi Bureau Chief Faisal Husain expressed concern about politicians being entangled in the past and lacking a clear plan for the future. He painted a grim picture of the future and prayed for election plans to be successful.

Faisal also criticized the PML-N's move to seek advice from the people for the electoral manifesto, stating, "A leader should provide guidance, and the nation follows suit. If a leader asks people about a problem, it is also a question mark on his ability as a leader."

Express Lahore Bureau Chief Muhammad Ilyas in a comparative analysis of the PTI and PML-N tenures, claimed that Nawaz Sharif's extended time in office resulted in more significant contributions to the country than Imran Khan's tenure. He also pointed out the absence of benchmark development in political governments.