My Views About Nawaz Sharif (Jan 2010)

In my view Nawaz Sharif is chronologically third politician among Muslims of this region who enjoyed such an overwhelming political support. The first two being Jinnah and Bhutto. Benazir Bhutto also had vast support, but she was not the creator of this support. She was an heir of it.

Nawaz Sharif entered into the politics in early 1980’s. First he joined Asghar Khan’s Tehrik-e-Istiqlal. Soon he realised that the party is devoid of any potential of growth. In those days Zia’s martial law was imposed in Pakistan. No political forum was available for newcomers having extraordinary talent. So Nawaz Sharif adopted the same approach that was used by his predecessor Bhutto. He joined the government as finance minister of Punjab, under martial law regime. After non-party based general elections of 1985, he was made chief minister of Punjab. This was the beginning of his popularity. Until now he has an experience of more than 25 years of practical politics. It is more than that of Bhutto. This adds a lot of positive characteristics in his politics. I can describe the pros and cons of his personality as a politician as under:

• Since 1990, he has stared taking anti-establishment stance. PML(N) is the only considerable party in Pakistan which is anti-establishment.
• His politics does not thrive on creating and fuelling hatred among different groups of society, whether they are defined by religion or economy.
• He has grown a sense of respect for his political opponents. A trait not found in his predecessors.
• He is not in favour of increasing the temperature of political scenario.
• He has acquired the quality of patience also, something rare in our politicians.
• He is wiser than his predecessors, almost equally intelligent, but unfortunately less sharper than them.
• He has a shy and less confident personality. No doubt, in recent past, he has much improved.
• He is more democratic than his predecessors.
• Unlike his predecessors, he is less egoistic.
• He has the ability to tolerate opposition and difference of opinions.
• He is not secular and westernised. There is a great allegation on Jinnah that he was secular and westernised. Similarly, though Bhutto was not secular, a fact evident from his books and the Constitution of 1971, that was made under his guidance; he was much westernised. In contrast to both of them, Nawaz Sharif is neither secular nor westernised.
• Bhutto was an intellectual, but Nawaz Sharif is not. Bhutto was a very well read person. But he is not. This is one of the drawbacks of his personality.
• Unlike Jinnah and Bhutto his verbal expression and communication skills are not up to the mark.

Following are some of the challenges; Nawaz Sharif has to face, at this time of the history:

• What is the most efficient way of doing the role of opposition leader in prevalent situation?
• What stance to adopt if Supreme Court gives decision against Zardari to oust him from Presidency?
• What stance to adopt if US continues to pressurise Pakistan more and more regarding problem of Taliban and terrorism?
• And the greatest challenge is---what if in the next general elections nation gives him the chance to rule? Do his team and he have intelligence, wisdom and capability to deliver?