Borrowed Governance

The extraordinary influence of Nawaz over Shehbaz in key governance matters complicates the political situation

Lahore: The mandatory practice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to get the ‘blessings’ of his self-exiled elder brother and convicted ex-premier Nawaz Sharif before taking any important decision has raised serious questions about his ability and the authority to work as an independent prime minister.

So far PM Shehbaz Sharif has visited London three times since April, thus making himself a laughing stock. It is widely believed that whenever an important governance decision is to be made in Pakistan, the premier rushed to London for a huddle to seek guidance from his brother and ‘political master.’

Last Tuesday, following the conclusion of the two-day conference on climate held in Egypt, Shehbaz left Sharm-el-Sheikh and tweeted “Off to Pakistan”. However, he abruptly changed his plans and took a detour to the British capital on a private flight to meet his brother Nawaz Sharif, a decision which was scoffed at by the political pundits in the country as well as the Opposition.

During his six-day stay in London, the premier reportedly discussed key issues with Nawaz, including the appointment of the new army chief, matters linked to next general elections, strategy for dealing with the long march of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and how to regain the PML-N’s hold in the Punjab.

The extraordinary influence of Nawaz Sharif in key decisions of the coalition government have also raised many an eyebrow in Pakistan where the political and social circles have openly questioned Shehbaz’s wisdom in consulting an absconder and a convicted man over critical governance matters of the country.

Nawaz has been living in London since 2019 after he was granted extraordinary relief on medical grounds following assurances that he will be returning soon to face the charges in the various court cases against him.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, the main opposition party, has also raised the issue of PM Shehbaz running off to England every now and then to consult the ex-premier on key decisions, terming such family huddle as clear violation of the ‘Official Secrets Act.’

During PM Shehbaz’s first private visit to London in May this year, the names of his entire cabinet were finalised. Similarly, during his second visit to London in September, the return of the Sharifs’ close relative and the self-exiled ex-finance minister Senator Ishaq Dar was finalised despite the many court cases pending against him in the country.

Soon afterwards, Dar not only returned to Pakistan but was also appointed as the new finance minister of the coalition government, at the expense of the hard-working Miftah Ismail who faced an unceremonious exit from the job.

And now last week, during Shehbaz’s third visit the UK capital, the appointment of the new Army chief was been discussed at length.

In a related development, Nawaz Sharif has also been issued a diplomatic passport, raising speculations about his possible return to Pakistan any time soon. The passport has been issued after the clearance of Foreign Ministry which will be valid for five years.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, a close aid of the Sharifs, also commented on the recent visit of Shehbaz Sharif to London. The Defence Minister tweeted that the two [Sharifs] had definitely discussed the issue of appointment of new Army chief but a decision would be taken after consultations, following the constitutional provisions.

Talking to Bol News, Federal Minister for Law, Political and Economic Affairs Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, dismissing the recent criticism that PM Shehbaz is surviving on borrowed governance from his brother Nawaz, insisted that he (Shehbaz Sharif) is running the country as an independent premier. “Everybody is different, so there is no comparison between Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif about how they run the government. Nawaz is not only elder brother of the PM but he is also the party’s supremo who served as premier thrice in the past. So the party can approach him for guidance on key political matters.”

The minister further said, “I don’t know whether Shehbaz has consulted Nawaz Sharif over the appointment of the new army chief as I have not been part of any such discussion, nor am I aware of any such development.”

According to the federal minister, everything will be done purely following the legal procedures.

Former Defence Secretary and retired Let General Naeem Khalid Lodhi told Bol News that it was quite evident that Nawaz and Shehbaz have differences on important matters. He said even though Shehbaz is the President of the PML-N, he can’t take decisions independently. “Party leaders close to Nawaz Sharif have “dominated the premier since the time he took over the PM’s office.”

“It is no secret that the PML-N is divided into two groups that belong to Nawaz and Shehbaz respectively. The Nawaz group didn’t waste any opportunity to discredit Shehbaz or prove him a toothless premier. This group has always tried to prove that Nawaz is the real person who has always called the shots rather than Shehbaz,” said General Lodhi.

The former defence secretary observed that since his return from London, PM Shehbaz has ‘quarantined’ himself and has limited his activities which is a clear sign that both the brothers have a definite difference of opinion on the successor of the outgoing army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa.

“But let me tell you very clearly, that whoever becomes the new army chief wouldn’t facilitate any party, contrary to the wishful thinking of some political parties. All the senior generals are equally qualified and capable to lead the Army.”

Responding to a query, Gen Lodhi said under the law, the PM can’t discuss official secrets with irrelevant people including Nawaz Sharif and the Supreme Court must take notice of this.

Senior analyst Salman Abid noted that Shehbaz Sharif had always worked under the influence of Nawaz Sharif despite the fact that he has always harboured hopes of going independent. “There is no doubt that Nawaz Sharif has overwhelming influence in the decision-making of Shehbaz Sharif’s government. Nawaz Sharif isn’t only the elder brother of the premier but also the head of the PML-N due to which he always discussed issues of national importance with his brother.”

According to Abid, Nawaz and Shehbaz have different approaches to deal with the civil-military affairs and that’s why the latter can’t take any decision without consulting the former.

“Of late, Nawaz has been enjoying a honeymoon period with the military establishment due to which there is unlikely to be a major conflict over important matters. But even then, there is a possibility of difference of opinion in choosing the successor of Gen Bajwa,” he observed.

“At the moment all the PML-N lawmakers are supporting the PM in the matter of the army chief’s appointment since nobody wants any tussle with the establishment at the moment.”

The reputed analyst further said that the return of Ishaq Dar and his  taking over the finance ministry was a signal that he will represent the PML-N London as the de facto premier. “Ishaq Dar has been very active for the past few days and has been holding key meetings with the allied parties in the lead up to the announcement of the all-important appointments.”