Homecoming

Editorial Published October 21, 2023

THE prodigal son returns. With his party’s goodwill all but squandered by the disastrous
mismanagement that defined the PDM-led government, Nawaz Sharif is scheduled to return to Pakistan
today, hoping to revive his political fortunes. The state awaits him with open arms, and his own party
has left no stone unturned in preparing a grand welcome.

He is to fly to Islamabad on a chartered flight and proceed from there to Lahore, where he will be feted
with songs, flowers and celebration. The party has commissioned a new anthem for the occasion and
hired two planes to shower him with rose petals.

In his hometown, Mr Sharif will address supporters at the Minar-i-Pakistan, where attendees have been
promised free motorbikes, roti, and even absolution if they honour their quaid with a rousing welcome.
A lot seems to be riding on the occasion for the PML-N.

Afraid of jinxing the Oct 21 festivities, the party had cancelled all political engagements with
constituents in the lead-up to the big day. It believes that a large crowd will greatly help its efforts to
renew its claim of being Punjab’s most popular party.

To ensure that Mr Sharif’s return is a comfortable one, all legal hurdles have been removed from his
path. The PML-N chief, who was declared a ‘proclaimed offender’ by the Pakistani judicial system for
fleeing from the law, has been given some extraordinary relief.

On Thursday, Mr Sharif secured protective bail in the Al Azizia and Avenfield references, in which he
currently stands convicted, from the Islamabad High Court. The National Accountability Bureau, which
had once relentlessly hounded the Sharif family over their alleged corruption, suddenly found no
objections to Mr Sharif returning to the country and proceeding directly to a jalsa instead of a
courthouse.
Likewise, an Islamabad accountability court came to the timely conclusion that it ought to suspend a
perpetual arrest warrant outstanding against Mr Sharif in a graft case involving vehicles taken from the
Toshakhana.

It has never seemed more obvious that neither Mr Sharif’s past conviction nor this sudden relief has
much to do with the law. Instead, his legal fortunes seem to be dictated by his party’s willingness or
unwillingness to play second fiddle to the deep state. Indeed, this seems to be the only ‘law’ that
prevails over our political class.

Toe the line, and you can be prime minister; overstep, and you end up in jail. Mr Sharif should know: he
has tried and been made to suffer three times already. It is most unfortunate, however, to see him
standing on the wrong side of history once again. Clearly, his principles are not worth more to him than
another shot at power. Will he rue the choice he has made? Time will tell.

 Prodigal: Referring to someone who has returned after a period of absence or waywardness,
often from a negative connotation.
 Squandered: Wasted or used recklessly, especially in the context of resources or opportunities.
 Feted: Honored or celebrated with enthusiasm and admiration.
 Absolution: Forgiveness or pardon, especially in a religious or moral context.
 Jinxing: Bringing bad luck or misfortune to an event or situation.
 Hounded: Pursued or harassed persistently, typically in a negative or troubling way.