Daily Times Editorial Jan 8, 2010

Nawaz Sharif’s wisdom

Nawaz Sharif has been on a tour of the two southern provinces in recent days. After his sojourn in Balochistan, where he attempted to apply balm to the wounds of the Baloch, his visit to Karachi was the occasion for the PML-N chief to express his views on the current political situation and trends, and the solutions he envisages. Since much has been made of late of the position of President Asif Ali Zardari and the PPP-led federal government, Nawaz reiterated his view that the PPP was an important player in the politics of the country and described it, along with other political parties, as national assets that must remain in existence to ensure the progress and development of Pakistan. He also delivered himself of the startling comment that he would not abandon President Zardari, even if (in the unlikely event) his own party disowned him.
Nawaz reminded a press conference held jointly with Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah of the PPP that all the problems of terrorism, energy and other economic crises had been bequeathed to the country by the dictatorial rule of the past dispensation. The problems were so serious, Nawaz argued, that no one party could possibly tackle them on its own. The situation required all political parties to get together and make collective efforts to find solutions. He said he respected the mandate the PPP had received, and in turn expected the mandate his party had received to be respected. He asserted that the country needed the implementation of the Charter of Democracy (CoD), repeal of the 17th Amendment, and implementation in letter and spirit of the 1991 consensus Water Accord. Last but by no means least, Nawaz Sharif exhorted all the parties to pool their efforts to combat the menace of terrorism currently afflicting the country.
It is interesting to note that since his return from exile after 10 years, Nawaz Sharif has shown signs of a political maturity and statesmanship that may not have been associated with him in the past. In this respect, it could be argued that 10 years of being out in the cold provided ample opportunity to introspect on strengths and weaknesses, rights and wrongs of the past. Nawaz Sharif’s interaction with the late Benazir Bhutto when both were in exile opened doors to the reconciliation of the two mainstream parties that had been at loggerheads for decades. While Nawaz Sharif appeared clearly to have broken with his past association and leanings towards the establishment, Benazir Bhutto played an extremely intelligent political role in nudging the frozen political landscape under the grip of General Musharraf towards opening up space for a democratic transition. Unfortunately, evil forces eliminated Ms Bhutto before the promise of her alliance with Nawaz Sharif in the shape of the CoD could bear fruit. But the legacy has continued after her departure from this world in the shape of Nawaz Sharif’s continued adherence to the principles laid down in the CoD, basic to which was the concept of the democratic forces sticking together and combating the manipulations of the establishment through a united front.
Accused of stubbornness by his critics, it could be argued that Nawaz has been more hard done by than doer since the February 2008 elections. Despite provocations and the urgings of hardliners within and outside his party, Nawaz has stuck to his guns to avoid becoming part of any conspiracy, as in the 1990s, to unseat the incumbent government and has in fact vowed to stand in the way of any such conspiracy in the front line. If all the democratic forces learn the lessons of the past, understand that their rivalry must be contained within democratic parameters to avoid malign forces taking advantage of their differences, and stand together to fend off any anti-democratic moves from any quarter, the country may finally see the dawn of a consolidated democracy, vital for the future and betterment of the country as a whole.