Finally, after more than six months in custody, PML(N) President Shahbaz Sharif has been granted post-arrest bail in a money laundering reference. He was brought back home in a procession by jubilant party workers, shouting slogans and showering flower petals on his car. Despite the stress that he must have undergone, Mr Sharif looked cool.
Back home, Mr Sharif has a busy schedule awaiting him. Being the party president he would now take over the leadership of the PML(N) which was being piloted in his absence by Vice President Maryam Nawaz who followed a confrontational policy towards the government and the establishment at the behest of her father. Being a more cautious politician, Shahbaz Sharif would personally prefer a noncombative stance towards the establishment. He is however not known to have disagreed with his elder brother in the past. He will hold consultations with party leaders and convey his views about the future line of action to Mian Nawaz Sharif, but is likely to follow whatever is decided by the elder brother.
Mr Sharif is also the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly. He is therefore required to take other opposition parties along. The opposition however is not as united now as it was when it elected him as its leader. Over time divisions have emerged between the PML(N) and PPP which are getting more complicated by the day. In the NA-249 Karachi by-election the PPP has put up its own candidate despite an agreement to support the PML(N)’s candidate. There are already two separate opposition groups in the Senate and the PML(N)’s group does not recognize Sen. Yusuf Raza Gilani as opposition leader in the Senate. A similar development is likely to take place in the National Assembly unless Shahbaz Sharif is able to mediate.
Inside the National Assembly the opposition is arrayed against Speaker Asad Qaiser who has consistently acted as a PTI loyalist rather than an independent custodian of the House. This has led to a serious confrontation between PML(N) Senior Vice President Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Speaker Asad Qaiser. The situation requires a united stand by the entire opposition against the way the Speaker is conducting the NA. Mian Shahbaz Sharif has his work cut out for him and it’s sure going to be hard.
