FRIDAY provided yet more proof of the chaos that has descended upon Islamabad, as if permanently. Pro-PML-N lawyers were roughed up — with some of them suffering injuries — for pressing their right to be in court. There were reports of senior policemen also being physically confronted in what was a continuation of the ugly face-off between law enforcers and PML-N activists at hearings attended by members of the Sharif family. On Friday, Maryam Nawaz and her husband Capt Safdar were to be indicted in a corruption case. Earlier, mayhem had marked the appearance of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in court, and scandalous remarks had followed — an official no less than the interior minister was stopped from entering the court premises. The latest episode adds to the impression that there is no administration worth the name to ensure the smooth proceeding of the cases — that have generated a non-stop war of words — against members and close associates of the Sharif family.

There has to be some kind of order in place. But this is hardly an objective that can be achieved through mere statements of regret issued by the trusted lieutenants of the Sharif family, some of whom occupy ministerial positions. It is obvious that certain elements see merit in creating as much controversy around these high-profile cases as possible. The violence on show can be linked to the declarations of some top PML-N personalities who openly seek to discredit the trial process. The intensity and frequency of the chaotic scenes at court, that involve PML-N sympathisers and an inept, absent administration, underscore a do-or-die attitude since there is uncertainty about sustaining the effort to push back against circumstances. It appears to be a desperate lunge at achieving a decision immediately, which is indicative of weakness on the part of the PML-N. That is not a good impression to create, especially when the party in question is ruling the country.

Published in Dawn, October 15th, 2017