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ISLAMABAD: Opposition in the National Assembly wanted to make its presence felt Thursday evening through a walk out in presence of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif overly agitating some blunt remarks by interior minister but never expected the premier to play a master's stroke to pre-empt the whole move.
By walking a few steps towards their lobby bringing the whole opposition lot back within minutes of their walk out, the premier reflected big on his role and place as Leader of the House. Opposition was naturally humbled by this out of the way gesture as Imran Khan and his possible gut reaction was badly missed in such a surprising and overwhelming scenario. On this day, the instant reaction revolved around everyone underscoring the need that Nawaz Sharif should proactively handle burning national issue in Parliament through his regular uninterrupted attendance. In the process, he rejuvenated the PML-N and allies having gone through the worse during two months long absence of the premier from the homeland because of health reasons. Nawaz Sharif's written speech was focused on macro level handling through a language and tenor employed by premiers and high profile ministers on critical occasions. His gesture to walk towards opposition's lobby was rejoiced more by treasury members as they formed a beeline to shake hands and exchange pleasantries by approaching his seat as he walked into the National Assembly hall all smiles accompanying opposition leader Khurshid Shah as camera flashes hastened to captured the mood. No minster could substitute his presence, broader handling and addressing of the parliamentary affairs if Sharif abstains without any solid, pressing engagement. And things go from bad to worse as was evident during many past sessions of especially the Lower House. Wednesday's proceedings could be taken as a classic case. Interior Minister Ch Nisar was all prepared to take the legislators into confidence and take on the opposition, as always, through some blunt talk. And back up his speech with fact and figures of yesteryears, after back to back meetings of the civil-military apparatus in the backdrop of recent Quetta terrorism incident. A lengthy Nisar speech cum sermon is expected next week as government winds up meetings with chief ministers on NAP. On this day, however, Sharif decided to turn up himself and deliver a message of hope and patience as he counted on anti-terror efforts of his government since mid-2013, naturally with opposition's cooperation for a national cause. Opposition leader rose immediately to register a reply to premier’s address, but Ch Nisar felt it was his queue and registered a soft protest as Speaker Ayaz Sadiq submitted to Khursheed Shah's insistence to speak. Shah didn’t take on the premier, instead extended hands of cooperation while indirectly hitting at Interior Ministry for giving security forces and agencies a free hand to take on people having affiliations with PPP (Dr Asim’s case) on alleged charges of facilitating terror financing etc. Nisar's 45 minute plus reply with a large part fixed for Shah’s speech rebuttal, was blunt and was laden with figures of terrorism incidents in PPP tenure, especially in 2009-10, compared to much less ratio in current PML-N tenure. Nisar also didn’t waste the opportunity to condemn a recent statement of government ally Mahmood Achakzai whereby he had criticised role of some intelligence outfits for spying on politicians and focusing less on external threats being faced by the country. “Why didn’t he (Achakzi) raise his voice against RAW and NDS for involvement in terrorism in Pakistan, ”Nisar questioned as he praised democratic credentials of the Pukhtoon nationalist leader.
Taking queue, sitting on the front row Sheikh Rashid quipped that the gentleman was actually a blue eyed of the Sharif government. At this, Nisar could do nothing but to ignore Rashid's taunt. The instant response from treasury was also muted, as everyone knew Premier Sharif and key cabinet ministers tended to ignore Rashid's unlimited taunts, and loud outbursts. The ‘son of Rawalpindi’ first colluded with Musharraf's regime and then collaborated with Sharif's political adversary Imran Khan in a failed effort to overthrow PML-N through Dharna in 2014.These days, apart from his solo television appearances, Rashid likes to spend time with PML-Q’s Tariq Cheema, or lends an ear to the khaki wisdom of Dr Shireen Mazarri.
At the end of Thursday’s proceedings Maulana Fazlur Rehman rose to appreciate the Premier for his gesture towards the opposition, but couldn’t hold himself from condemning Rashid's outburst against Achakzai through a recent television talk show. Maulana demanded of the government to take action against Rashid for hurling false allegations of treason against Achakzai. Rashid, a darling of rating hungry television anchors, was however not there to face the music. Nor was Ch Nisar present as he had left the House in fury within minutes of Premier Sharif's triumphant landing with the opposition lot. The interior minister could be seen visibly complaining about the whole situation to Senator Ishaq Dar as Sharif was inside the opposition's lobby along with ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Khawaja Asif and Zahid Hamid. In fact, the duo of Ahsan-Asif had requested and suggested this move to the premier as the opposition had walked out. Both left their front row seats to approach Premier's chair much to the surprise of Nisar who could only fume in anger leaving within no time as the events unfolded.
Nisar acted as a bad cop because Premier played the good cop central role this time around. Such a dramatic turn of events was enjoyed to the fullest by government and allies, and front row ministers as the interplay of political moves, counter moves, loyalties and priorities were at its best. Sharif could not afford a PPP opposition playing second the fiddle to PTI in these critical months of political agitation and had to carry out this balancing act between seemingly pro and anti-establishment political forces. As many political entities like to operate in grey area of this old divide, intentionally.
Earlier, a relaxed looking Premier Sharif walked into the Lower House amid desk thumping by the treasury benches. Last time he spoke in May to clarify his and family's position on PanamaLeaks. It was a defensive posture then. Time has changed. Ever since, he has braved opposition's onslaught with a little steam left in Panama Papers related political turmoil, a major heart surgery, and a hands-on approach in tackling security, foreign policy issues on the heels of his come back to the capital -- many of his political adversaries never expected to happen. And the ferocity and strength of recent Imran-Qadri shows have also been gauged carefully.
Everyone on the treasury benches expects a more ferocious political attack from PTI within August. Qadri can be deadly too, unpredictable yet manageable. For now, focus of the rulers and allies, is to strengthen Parliament. And Premier has amply highlighted his near future political course to rest of the ministerial bandwagon, especially Ch Nisar. No deviations.