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Friday March 29, 2024

All eyes on Sharif and JIT

By Mazhar Abbas
June 15, 2017

It is more than just a simple joint investigation against the three-time elected prime minister in his own government. Therefore, all eyes are on Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif because for the first time since the Panama Leaks hit the headlines around the world last year, he will face tough questions from five top investigators of the JIT constituted by a three-member special bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan in the light of the SC 3-2 verdict in the Panama case.

It is also for the first time that the PM will face the JIT against the backdrop of a highly tense atmosphere with exchange of allegations, reservations and obstructions. This is also the first appearance of the premier since the leak of his son Hussain Nawaz’s 'questionable' picture. In all probability, Thursday (June 15) would be remembered as a 'historic day, irrespective of the consequences, and is a test for both Sharifs as well as the JIT. It will be different from what Sharif had faced after the military coup on October 12, 1999 when for the first time, he, along with his brother Shahbaz, was produced before an anti-terrorism court in Karachi. Here, he will be answering questions about the money trail of his three generations, which has made it more than just a normal case or investigation.

This probe would determine the future of this most powerful political-cum-business family. It is not the first time that Sharif is appearing before any investigation team, but never before he has faced investigations into his 50-year family fortune. This has made the Panama trial different from the past trials. More than his political career is at stake. He is lucky that he is appearing before the JIT as a prime minister. It’s far more different from the time when he was removed, insulted and produced along with his brother Shahbaz Sharif before the anti-terrorism court in Karachi. This writer is a witness to 'trial and punishment' in the hijacking case in which he could have faced death sentence.

Today, he is facing the toughest investigation which many believe is the first-ever trial of white-collar crime by any ruler. In the past, premiers had been dismissed in the name of corruption, but the present scenario has made the JIT or the PM case different from other high-profile cases. The consequences of the case would be far-reaching for the country's political discourse, where only two most popular political families have faced accountability Bhuttos and Sharifs. One family has already had a tragic end after the execution of one prime minister and assassination of another. The third generation is now finding it hard to stage a comeback. In Sharifs’ case, the family, which was primarily brought to offset Bhuttos, has seen both 'fortune' and ‘difficulties’.

As earlier referred, 'behind every fortune is a crime' and one would really be interested to know the real crime behind this political and financial fortune. Thus, in all fairness, investigations should start from the day the family was allegedly asked to come into politics to 'protect their business'. If Sharifs are ousted from politics, one may not be surprised to see the creation of another Pakistan Muslim League, ‘PML of likeminded Leaguers’. Sources close to the family said it was not an easy decision for the family to accept the PM's own decision to appear before the JIT. But, after his two sons, who are otherwise non-political, went through several hours of probe, it was difficult for him to avoid it," they said on condition of anonymity.

In a related development, his brother and the most powerful Chief Minister of Punjab, Mian Shahbaz Sharif, has also been summoned by the JIT, amid reports that all family members are in trouble. This has made the JIT and trial different from the past investigations. This trial is being monitored by a very different supreme court, which surfaced as a result of a popular movement led by Sharifs themselves. It is an irony that our politicians, whether from government or opposition, have not been able to establish good examples of governance and transparency.  They also couldn’t strengthen the weakest institution, i.e. parliament.

What happened from 2008 to 2013 in the name of Independence of Judiciary is happening today. First, the PML-N used or was asked to use its muscles in the name of eliminating corruption and money laundering in Sindh, which widened the gap between the PML and the PPP. Now the Sharifs are finally facing a trial of utmost importance. It is more than just an investigation into the money trial of the prime minister and his two children. Its scope has now been widened to the whole family including those dead. One wonders whether Sharifs regret the day when this otherwise non-political family entered politics in the late 70s, thanks to the late General Ziaul Haq and the late Lt General Jillani who was the architect of a non-party system aimed at depoliticizing the society and laid the foundation of 'corruption in politics’.

It was in the late 70s when the late Mian Sharif was first asked by Gen Ziaul Haq, initially through his aide Lt Gen Jillani, to come into politics. Sharif then asked why he was told that through politics, he could not only take 'revenge' on Bhutto's policy of nationalization but could also protect his business. He refused, but Jillani finally convinced him to allow his two sons, Nawaz and Shahbaz, to help the Martial Law regime in the 'national interest'.

Ironically, this is how this term 'national interest' was misused in this country. For instance, the late Lt Gen Hameed Gul and former army chief Gen Aslam Baig defended the Sharif-led Islami Jamhoori Ittehad ‘in the name of ‘national interest’. Their hand-picked PM, the late Muhammad Khan Junejo, was ousted in the name of 'national interest.' In 1990, Benazir Bhutto's government was ousted in 'national interest'. In 1993, Sharif's government was also sacked under the same head.

Corruption was introduced in politics through 'dirty means' and allowed to flourish as it suited those who believe in 'divide and rule'. Politicians themselves are responsible too as they never accepted it as a challenge. On the contrary, they became part of 'corrupt practices' which brought an end to ideological politics. Mehrangate was the turning point. It’s the case in which institutionalized corruption had been established with alleged involvement of the establishment, politicians and even some well-known journalists. This case may never be reopened even if tomorrow the PTI or the PPP governments come into power for some obvious reasons.

Whether Sharifs stand victorious in this case or lose legal and ultimately political battle, the chances of 'across-the-board' accountability in this country may still remain a dream. 

  The writer is a senior columnist and analyst of the Geo News, The News and daily Jang.

Twitter: @MazharAbbasGEO