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There is the letter of the law and there is good politics. There is recovering from a legal blow and there is doubling down on mistakes. There are the Sharifs and there is good sense.
In the days since Nawaz Sharif’s judicial ouster, the PML-N has hunkered down and devised a new political strategy: the rule of the Sharifs as far as the eye can see and potentially beyond. Or, as Saad Rafique has boasted, remove one Sharif and the party will bring a second, third and fourth Sharif to replace him.
It is a political party’s right to choose its leader and in the controversial circumstances of Mr Sharif’s dismissal, it was inevitable that the ousted prime minister’s preferences would dominate the succession question. But the utter myopia of the Sharifs is dismaying and politically worrying.
Three decisions the PML-N has had to make since Mr Sharif’s ouster and not one of them has been necessary or wise. The first is to instal Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as a stopgap prime minister. Why? Mr Abbasi and many of his colleagues in the erstwhile federal cabinet are perfectly capable of running the government until the general election scheduled for next year.
After all, the PML-N never ceases to remind the nation of its governance credentials and experienced team. The only, and obvious, disqualification of Mr Abbasi and his colleagues for being a PML-N prime minister for a day longer than necessary is that their surnames are not Sharif.
In the 70th year of the country’s existence, the party that usurped the name of the party of Mohammad Ali Jinnah is a nepotistic disgrace. The decision to summarily elevate the younger Sharif brother from Punjab to the centre is also politically problematic.
Shahbaz Sharif’s desire to play a role at the federal level has been well known in political circles for many years. But he was thwarted — and denied federal executive experience that could have proved useful today — because of his brother’s determination to remain prime minister and not have the distraction of a potential rival power centre in the federal capital.
He has been an MNA before, in 1990, but when he is likely sworn in as one again two months from now, it will be to a vastly different parliament and power structure in Islamabad. In truth, Shahbaz Sharif as prime minister is a political experiment that could spectacularly backfire.
Finally, there is the truly unsettling possibility of Hamza Sharif discarding his MNA robes and returning to the Punjab Assembly to take over from his father. Like the House of Saud, the House of Sharifs appears to be preparing for an intergenerational transfer of power.
Perhaps the only temporary grace is that Maryam Nawaz is not part of the immediate succession plans, though that may change. Truly, the Sharifs have morphed into something worse than the Bhuttos.
Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2017
Comments (59) Closed
Let people of Pakistan decide who they want in power un the next election
This is a disgrace to democracy when it is like a monarchy . Has any asks NS why education and healthcare is not a priority. An educated population will not vote people like NS.
very well said
Brilliant editorial Dawn. Truly, your paper is the only one in Pakistan that is progressive in every sense.
Masterfully put. Thank you Dawn for speaking the truth that tens of millions of Pakistanis feel so deeply.
What troubles me more is that the entire nation is adamant that Shahbaz WILL win the NA120 election. Are we, as a nation, really so lacking in morality and ethics that we are certain to elect yet another criminal pending investigation for murder of 14 people? We DESERVE the problems befalling our country.
Family enterprise! they fool us in the name of democracy and others in the name of security; and surprisingly neither democracy nor security exists in Pakistan.
Very true.But is there a method to this madness ?, Yes,there is.Apart from Shahbaz Sharif 's personal desire to become PM, let us read into the consequences of his being not able to win,his defeat will open the way for Marium Nawaz to lead in next elections which she cannot Do till Shahbaz Sharif is politically strong.
"The secret of freedom lies in educating people, whereas the secret of tyranny is in keeping them ignorant"
Time to rename it as PML-S (Sharifs).
They are all each other's uncles or in-laws.
Over seven decades and three generations, feudal lords, tribal chiefs, industrialists, civil and military bureaucrats and top of the line professionals like traders, lawyers, architects, publishers, doctors, bankers, accountants and politicians have all been merging into a vast family through marriages.
Grandchildren help check political hostility between the two sets of grandparents.
Very well written. It's a disgrace to democracy.
Very pertinent Editorial . What message its gives to public;there is no one in the party more capable apart from shareef family !
Very well written
Disgrace in all respects - very true. The people of Pakistan are fooled in the name of democracy and at other times in the name of security and "national interest "
A family fallen from Grace, or a disgraceful family??
I dont understand what is the problem people have? The party doesnt mind it, the voters of the party dont mind it then why do others who are not the voters and will never be the voters of the Party comment on it?!
@gungo how can they decide when ECP is in pockets of politicians??
we never had fair election.
I totally agree with the Editors. NS should have appointed anyone clean and out of the family this time as PM.
So don't vote for them......
Question: how Pakistan wants to move forward and take care of normal people?
1- True democratic party...where equality is promoted and where anyone can succeed to any job position 2- Gangs - Napatisum, Arm forces, or hand selected personals
A very balanced and realistic piece of writing. Its a real disgrace to the people of Pakistan that are being fooled time and again by 'Sharif Dynasty (pvt.) Ltd.' disguised in a political party.
who said pml-n is a democratic party. for sharifs a political party compring electables is a expediency to get into power. no more no less. house of sharifs will, inshallah become house of cards, sooner than later. maybe showbaz sharif fails to get elected fron NA120. who knows?
Very bold stand of dawn... "Like the House of Saud, the House of Sharifs appears to be preparing for an intergenerational transfer of power." keep it up.
@Naeem Qureshi I believe this is the only reason these people do not put education on priority and a democracy without educated / well aware masses is flawed by definition.
@gungo or more appropriately, the voter of punjab
Do not blame the politicians for this. Shahbaz Sharif has still to fight and win an election to be able to become PM. If the country and its people are so worried and disappointed with this fact, they have a chance not to let him be PM by not voting for him. Although if he is voted into the Assembly then he has full right to be PM.
Perhaps it's because people in the subcontinent expect that the son will succeed his father. In India, Bangladesh (and, until recently) Sri Lanka too had political dynasties. Why should Rahul Gandhi be a candidate for the prime ministerial slot? Aren't there any others in Congress who are eligible? As for Hasina of BD, her only qualification is that she is Mujeeb's daughter.
i am no fan of sharifs and their style of governance and i agree that in a true democratic set up this succession within the family is a disgrace but at the same time, comparing the house of sharif to house of bhutto is ridiculous to say the least.
here a chief minister who has run the largest province very efficiently for almost a decade, is being elevated to the federal level . and a his son is being considered for the top provincial slot after serving as assistant to the chief minister for many good years. on the other hand the ppp put a twenty five years old kid as the head of party without any administrative experience, without any relevant administrative exposure.
Brilliant analysis... this form of so-called democracy is worse than any monarchy or autocracy
Yet another reality that shows we have reverted back to the pre-Raj governance style of monarchial kingdoms.When history is read by students 200-300 years later they will find little to distinguish between these dynastic rule of Bhuttos,Zardaris and Sharifs behind a democratic façade and the rule of the Sultans in the Delhi Sultanate or Timurid empire. The periods of military intervention will be equated to the rule of strong conquerors like Sher Shah Suri or Ahmed Shah Durrani who sacked the cities and became de-facto rulers on basis of their military might but vanished when killed or deposed.Bad governance,arbitrary rule,short term policies to hold on to power,lack of general rights,0 accountability and no justice for the masses characterize both these eras.For a history student in 2300 C.E this will be a classical thesis material describing how cultures of power survive any foreign invasions and attempts to revolutionize society by introducing self-rule.
Spot on!
We have Lallu in Bihar when he goes to Jail he puts his wife as CM and you have PM who brings his Brother on the chair...... difference is we had this 15 years back and you have it now..... we made him realize so he and his family is out of power, while ours was a small state of Bihar's affair your's is an entire country's issue.
From Bhutto-cracy to Shareefocracy ---until finally anarchy!
Like the House of Saud, the House of Sharifs appears to be preparing for an intergenerational transfer of power.
PML-Nawaz is just another arm of a business enterprise used by its owners, M/s. Sharif Brothers & Sons & Daughters & Inlaws, to steal and plunder the national wealth.
Agreed 100 percent. Our political system should be saved from dynastic politics. It is about time. Parties should hold elections to elect their leaders. We are sick and tired of recycled faces in Islamabad full of arrogance.
Editorial is great. Dawn is only newspaper that always try to give balance analysis. Dawn criticized NS removal, but here SS elevation to Islamabad. If he gets elected by NA 120, then he can become PM if his party wishes this. As he has a lot of experience. But for greater good, PML should have selected someone else till next general elections, no need for interim PM
Its pathetic. I would have voted for them in 2018 but this is revolting
It is good to see Dawn taking a clear stand on blatant nepotism practiced by most of the major political parties in Pakistan especially PLM-N. The real challenge is to educate the people of Pakistan about the ills of this shameful practice. It is totally contrary to the spirit of true democracy and foster abuse of power.
The bigger problem is that in spite of all of the above they may still win in 2018
Excellent article.
@gungo : Fully agreed,.Only people to decide this issue, and that is the democracy.
What an entirely biased article.
Seems like the Sharifs are Gandhis of Pakistan
Can Not agree more on this editorial blog . Its a disgraced politics .
you nailed itt.,, yes when you don't give the options to choose and beat the drums of a particular family what ordinary voter do?? I dint know why I join these dynestic monarch so called political parties when I know after years of struggle (32 years of Nisar khan) I cant become PM and serve my nation. what a shame..
A sane voice by Dawn.
Complete silence of their faithful companions is also an equal disgrace. Those people are happily accepting the Sharif's slavery.
Well said.
Totally agree with your Editorial. It is blatant nepotism at the expense of the country and its people. Alas this is the polity that sift through the corrupt electioneering processes of our country.
With the recent courts decision this accountability process should continue culminating to Laws and system going through a drastic overhaul.
Cent percent correct analysis of the house of Sharifs
@Waqar Remember ! Thère is no election in such. Ballet boxes are already fælled with votes even supporter by election comitte.
this is democracy. but we hope that SHAHBAZ WILL DO BETTER as he has got a goo experience at back. what is important is peace in PAKISTAN and in the region.
A very good piece of intellectuality and generalism.
Dawn used to be pretty balanced in its approach to reporting. Calling it a "disgrace" is going overboard.
Shariefs are elected by the people of Pakistan unlike family of Saud.
@gungo Democracy isn't for throw backs.
@Mahmood Either way, they have always been devoid of grace. No matter which house they resided in, one sees who they are.