Nawaz Sharif’s absconding

The government seems to be gearing towards bringing back Nawaz Sharif from London. The former prime minister left the country last year on the pretext of seeking medical treatment and has not returned yet.

The government is seeking to declare Nawaz Sharif an absconder as it would help approach the UK seeking his deportation. NAB is also expected to move the court stating that Nawaz Sharif’s six-month bail has expired and he should be declared a fugitive. All legal options are on the cards although it would be an uphill battle to get the PML-N supremo extradited from Britain.

The PTI is perturbed ever since Nawaz Sharif departure as it has affected the accountability narrative. Information Minister Shibli Faraz said Nawaz Sharif feigned illness and submitted tampered documents to give the impression that he was seriously ill but did not undergo any treatment. The government wants action against those who submit these fake health documents.

The government wants Nawaz Sharif to return and face the courts but the situation has changed ever since he left. Nawaz believes it is necessary to give a tough time to Imran Khan’s government but the opposition stands divided and cannot even agree on an all-parties conference. Shehbaz Sharif appears reluctant while Nawaz has started contacting Bilawal and Maulana Fazlur Rehman to take charge.

We saw the return of Maryam Nawaz but the presumed political heir to Nawaz Sharif does not seem to challenge the government for long.  It will eventually be Nawaz Sharif who will be able to launch any sort of movement against Imran’s government provided he returns. Other parties will be able to launch any sort of political agitation against the government.

Imran Khan is adamant that he will not give any NRO to the opposition and will not be blackmailed either. As the government has commenced its third parliamentary year, it faces an even greater challenge to live up to its accountability narrative. This is where the challenges will be further compounded and the situation could worsen for the government.