Nawaz Sharif set to take-off

Nawaz Sharif has finally secured a release and is set to take-off. The former prime minister is expected to depart for London over the weekend after his name is struck off the no-fly list. This ends months of agony for the battered PML-N leader and brings a sigh of relief for his supporters.

Sharif fell seriously ill in prison and was released on medical grounds to seek treatment. His personal physicians advised him to go abroad for treatment as all medical options in Pakistan have been exhausted. The PML-N has stated that he should be allowed to travel to any part of the world for medical purposes.

Maryam Nawaz is not expected to travel alongside her father abroad. She has been recently granted bail and her passport has been surrendered to the court. She might consider joining her father in London later, but her presence is critical for the PML-N as she may emerge as the most prominent opposition leader. 

Once gain the rumour mills about a purported deal are ringing wild. Ministers and government officials have shied away from discussing the matter as it could earn the judiciary’s ire. PM’s aide on information and the aviation minister are already facing contempt of court proceedings for linking Nawaz Sharif’s release to a deal. 

Prime Minister Imran Khan has denied exerting influence on the matter, saying that politics should be kept aside from human health. He stated that cases against Nawaz Sharif will not be waived and he will face them when he returns back after regaining his health.

The PML-N leader’s departure has dampened the Azadi March of Maulana Fazlur Rehman. The JUI-F chief is still camped out in Islamabad insisting on the prime minister’s resignation. The demand is considered too unrealistic for even consideration by the ruling party and talks have stalled.

It seems evident Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman is now frustrated that the protest is not moving forward after opposition parties backed out. The JUI-F is still not over the fact that he is not a member of parliament and wants to revive his politics. It is being hinted that a by-election may be held to placate the JUI-F chief. 

He is now probably seeking a safe and honourable exit from the situation. The government too appears unconcerned as the protest does not pose a threat anymore, and the JUI-F leader is no longer relevant to the system.