LONDON DIARY: The wait for Nawaz

ATIKA REHMAN

A STONE’S throw from the lush green expanses of Hyde Park, Stanhope Place was
buzzing with activity from the crack of dawn. It was here, inside the commercial offices
of Stanhope House, that Nawaz Sharif broke his months-long silence to deliver an
unreserved, scorching speech against the military establishment.

As he arrived there, journalists pressed Nawaz to share a precursor of what was to come.
But he revealed nothing, and simply said “you’ll see”, as he climbed the steps and
disappeared into the staggering premises.

Inside, a green screen had been set up behind a wooden desk, where Nawaz sat before a
camera and made what will be remembered as one of his most historic and daring
political statements.
Outside, tea was served with mithai and biscuits which were consumed between
collective gasps and jaw-drops.

In a speech that lasted well past half an hour, Nawaz launched an attack on “the forces
that brought Imran Khan to power”. As the speech ended, his son Hussain Nawaz, met
the reporters. “This is the beginning of a struggle — not against Imran Khan but against
a parallel system.”

“They will not have the luxury of locking Nawaz away, of keeping him silent,” he added,
in response to a question about Nawaz’s possible return to Pakistan.

Social media erupted with hot-takes on the speech as it unfolded. “Explosive,” said some
journalists. “But will it threaten the existing order?” asked others. Similar questions
were fervently discussed outside Stanhope House as the wait began for Nawaz to step
out and take questions from journalists — a move that would have been a calculated
change from his deliberate distance from the media during his time in London.

Some PML-N workers gathered outside with boxes of Papa John’s pizza, an
unsuspecting symbol of resistance flaunted blatantly, hours after Nawaz hit out at
retired General Asim Bajwa who has alleged links to the pizza company.

Hours later, reporters were invited inside for a strictly off-record conversation and
informal meeting. It had been a long day, and Nawaz did not discuss anything political
lest it eclipse his APC speech. But he appeared relaxed and resolute, as if a weight had
been taken off his chest.

As some shared their reactions, the PML-N leader listened and thanked the media for
their support. He appeared well-versed on all the tweets and analyses of his speech.

Time and again, he hinted that he will remain active, engaged and connected with his
supporters in the UK and representatives of the media. Past 6pm, he departed from the
venue, bringing a long and happening day to an end.

As the crowd dispersed, residents who live in nearby flats wondered what all the fuss
was about, and what this animated group of people had gathered for that warranted a
nearly 12-hour wait. As reporters offered some context to curious passers-by, one
exclaimed, “Oh, so it’s a victory for democracy? Cheers to that.”

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2020