Nawaz Sharif is Pakistani politics’ ‘wild card’

* Former diplomat says West should reconsider position on Nawaz
* Freelance journalist claims PPP, PML-N coalition major step towards lifting Pakistan outside political morass

By Khalid Hasan

WASHINGTON: The “wild card” in Pakistan’s politics, according to a report published in the Toronto Star on Saturday, is Nawaz Sharif, who continues to lack the West’s trust because he was the one who ushered Pakistan into the nuclear age.

“Musharraf himself has used every opportunity to keep Western distrust of Sharif alive. And this week, the US made plain that it is still very much in [President Pervez] Musharraf’s corner. But there are those who say Sharif’s moment has come — and so has the time for the Westt’s sober reassessment of the man,” the report points out, quoting former diplomat Akram Zaki, who crossed party lines some years ago to join the ruling PML-Q.

Reconsider: “I think the West should seriously reconsider its position on Nawaz Sharif. A lot of prejudice has been sown against him by Musharraf. But if there is a genuine, moderate Muslim who is respected by all sections of society, including the religious ones, it is Nawaz Sharif.” Zaki sees Nawaz as a man transformed, whose positive influence could be pivotal for Pakistan in the critical months ahead. “ ... He has the ability to keep them [religious elements] away from extremists. If anyone can keep them within the circle of moderation, he is the man.”

Zaki says that Nawaz’s seven years of exile have transformed and readied him for the role he is likely to be called on to play. “That period allowed him to make the critical transition from politician to statesman,” he says. Another former Nawaz aide, his principal secretary Saeed Mehdi, said, “Those 7 1/2 years actually did him a lot of good. It gave him time to reflect, to read and to reassess; to think about what mistakes he made and what he would do differently when he returned.” He emerged, says Mehdi, with a deeper appreciation for the centrality of the constitution and for the judiciary. Fakhruddin G Ibrahim, who has acted as Nawaz’s lawyer, told the Canadian newspaper, “He talks of almost nothing but the constitution now. He knows the military’s role must come to an end in Pakistan.” Ibrahim says Nawaz speaks from experience. He was made chief minister of Punjab by military dictator General Ziaul Haq. And he was deposed by Musharraf. Now Nawaz wants Pakistan’s cycle of dictatorship to end and enter a period of peace and reconciliation, he adds.

Major step: Meanwhile, in an analysis contributed to the BBC, freelance Pakistani journalist Ahmed Rashid writes that the decision by Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif to work towards a coalition government could prove a major step forward in lifting Pakistan out of its political morass and putting it back on the rails. However, the proposed coalition government could have to face continuing behind-the-scenes efforts by President Musharraf and the intelligence agencies to undermine them even before they come into power.

But it could prove hugely positive for Pakistan’s four provinces. Rashid argues that while Nawaz has been demanding an immediate reinstatement of the sacked judiciary, he seems to have watered down his appeals in the light of advice from Zardari, who perhaps has the same goals but wants to go about it more slowly. Zardari does not immediately want to annoy the army and those around Musharraf.

Nor has Zardari endorsed Nawaz’s earlier call to impeach Musharraf. That too is likely to be put on the backburner, he adds.

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