PML-N’s consecutive victories and successive defeats of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in several by-elections including the most important contest for NA-122 Lahore, held after the 2013 polls, gave an immense boost to the PML-N and waned the fortunes of its rivals. Hue and cry by some competitors apart, there is a universal consensus that these by-polls were unprecedentedly fair, free and transparent.
Three, the main challenger of the PML-N, the PTI, which has made Nawaz Sharif pass several sleepless nights particularly after its menacing long march and sit-in or siege of the federal government, has not been able to sustain its position. Apart from the rout in the by-elections, the first phase of local polls has pushed it in deep demoralization.
The Imran Khan-Reham Khan divorce served the PTI in no way. The announcement of the breakup a day before the polling for the first phase of local polls negatively impacted the party. Besides, the PTI has been faced with grave internal strife and bickering, which is seriously hurting it. Elevation of Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar as the in-charge of the entire local election show in Punjab left some other senior party leaders with sullen faces and go slow in canvassing across the province. The PTI’s absolute political isolation became further pronounced as no parliamentary party is willing to support its candidate for the office of the speaker while conversely the PML-N’s nominee is earning the votes of all and sundry.
Four, the civil-military relations have been good since the two Sharifs took over. In-between, some circles forcefully tried to paint an impression that all is not well. But this campaign ended after the recent high-level promotions in the Pakistan army. The elements that have been attempting to drive a wedge between the premier and the army chief have now apparently slowed down their efforts, which shows that the khaki-mufti amity has further improved. Undeniably, such relations are required to be smooth and tension-free in Pakistan’s milieu to avoid any instability.
Nawaz Sharif has reconciled to the fact that he will do everything possible to keep any conflict with the establishment away.
There are many instances to back up this reality. One pertinent example emerged when the prime minister delayed his departure for Washington by a day, waiting for the return of the ISI chief from the United States to get briefing from him about his discussions in America.
The purpose was to take the same stand during his meetings with President Obama and others in Washington. The government’s adversaries have been upset over this state of affair.
Five, before Nawaz Sharif’s Washington visit, a campaign was built pertinently in the US media as he is going for a ‘sell-out’ on the missile programme. Such discussion also got currency in Pakistan by those who wanted to mar the trip. Finally, nothing of this kind happened and the visit went well.
Six, despite usual grumblings and pulls and pressures from different sides the PML-N has remained a unified force under Nawaz Sharif’s tutelage. At times, the infighting among different ministers hit headlines, but it hardly inflicted any great damage to the party. As per his temperament and style, the prime minister allowed the clash to go on to a certain level and then did the firefighting, calming down the combatants.
Seven, if asked a few months ago many people would not believe the government would complete its five-year term till 2018, but now there is no talk even by its opponents that the next elections would be held before the expiration of its tenure. This has enhanced the prime minister’s confidence. However, his biggest challenge now is to deliver, and if he lives up to his commitment of overcoming the power shortage by end-2017, he can go to the next parliamentary polls with awesome self-assurance. Over-confidence need not to go to the PML-N’s head, making it too much stiff-necked and aggressive.
“Though millions of miles apart, the planets seem to march together across the heavens,” says Suparco
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Primary focus of meeting was implementation of Women’s Property Rights Act, 2020