Nawaz Sharif’s electoral missteps and the youth factor

This time, Pakistan is truly ensnared in difficulty. While the past has seen its share of challenges, the current predicament presents a maze with no apparent exit. Such dire circumstances have seldom arisen before, save for the aftermath of the 1970 election, the repercussions of which we all recall.

This also indicates that those who propelled Imran Khan to victory in 2018 have faltered in securing a similar triumph for Nawaz Sharif this time around. Sharif and his cohorts prematurely celebrated, believing their victory was assured. However, this message backfired disastrously, leaving the populace feeling disempowered as if decisions had been made without their consent. Their strategy was to breeze through the election following a 16-month PDM government and an extended caretaker administration.

Due to his errors, Imran Khan and his party found themselves in a quagmire of May 9. The rift between Khan and the establishment grew, forcing the establishment to align with the Sharifs to counter Khan’s influence. The PDM government diverted its attention to other matters, chiefly resolving corruption allegations against its leaders. Ishaq Dar, Salman Shehbaz, and others returned from London, receiving bail and clean chits. Only Nawaz Sharif was left and he was also given a clean chit with protocol on arrival. The rest was completed by awarding punishment to Imran Khan before the election.

In our country, every leader, upon facing corruption or moral allegations, ends up behind bars, only to emerge victorious in the elections and become the ruler once again.

Nawaz Sharif has suffered the greatest setback from these elections. The circumstances surrounding his victory are highly dubious. His opponents allege that he was on the losing end in both constituencies, yet somehow emerged victorious. Now, his party has clinched around seventy-nine seats, raising serious questions about the results. In such circumstances, Nawaz Sharif had two or three options: he could have refrained from forming a government with such few seats. Instead of delivering a victory speech, he should have gracefully accepted defeat, allowing PTI-backed independent candidates to form the government while his party assumed the role of the opposition. But, who declines a “free drink”? Upon witnessing power before him, Nawaz stumbled, forgetting that times have changed. The right to vote at the age of eighteen has aligned the youth with Imran Khan. Whether it’s an eighteen-year-old youth or a woman, their vote has gone to Imran Khan. An eighteen-year-old youth is still in college, reliant on their parents’ finances, unaware of life’s trials and tribulations. Real life begins after leaving university or college, and by the age of twenty-five, one becomes a completely different person, having learned much from life, and decision-making abilities have matured somewhat. However, the PML-N failed to grasp this factor; how could they attract one hundred and twenty million youth to their side? They (PML-N) merely chanted that “our work is done”.

Looking at Punjab, Nawaz Sharif did not engage in the political groundwork that was once characteristic. Imagine, he didn’t even hold rallies in Multan and Bahawalpur. According to our journalist friend Nasrullah Malik, he spent all his time in Lahore, organizing panel discussions and focusing on ticket allocations. Perhaps he had in mind that bringing him to power was solely the responsibility or compulsion of the institutions, and they would do everything if they had to avoid Imran Khan’s wrath. Thus, the PML-N entered the arena thinking they were already prime ministers. Moreover, they never share power beyond their household, which has fueled resentment among the youth. If Nawaz Sharif is the prime minister, then his brother Shehbaz Sharif becomes the chief minister. If father Shehbaz Sharif is the prime minister, then his son Hamza Shahbaz becomes the chief minister, and now, if brother Shehbaz Sharif is the prime minister, then daughter Maryam Nawaz becomes the chief minister of Punjab.

And most glaringly, when in power, their daughter’s father-in-law, Ishaq Dar, becomes the finance minister every time, whose job is to intimidate the IMF and devalue the rupee from 220 to 340 rupees against the dollar.

On the other hand, Asif Zardari has displayed a sense of sagacity. He doesn’t keep everything within the family but continues to distribute major positions. Within his party, everyone hopes that if Murad Ali Shah can become the Chief Minister of Sindh, then they too can hold such positions someday. If Yousaf Raza Gillani and Raja Pervez Ashraf can become Prime Ministers, then their luck might also shine. Thus, within his party, a greater element of loyalty to Zardari is observed.

On the contrary, if we look at Nawaz Sharif’s party, initially, they kept Parvez Elahi engaged, promising to make him the chief minister of Punjab. Then, this engagement shifted to Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. Now, instead of selecting a chief minister from outside the Sharif family, they have appointed Maryam Nawaz as the chief minister. So, for more than forty years, the roles of prime minister and chief minister have remained in the same household, fueling political and personal animosity among the younger generation. Consequently, gradually, prominent names have left the PML-N. Pervez Elahi, Mian Azhar, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Miftah Ismail and Mehtab Abbasi all left the party because they couldn’t see their political future progressing beyond ministries. Even Saad Rafique has talked about it several times. This time, he didn’t even want to contest the elections and had to be persuaded by Nawaz Sharif himself. So, when he lost the elections, he immediately accepted his defeat. He didn’t want to get involved in this role anymore.

Now, there are talks that Ishaq Dar could also be made the Senate Chairman. It means father, daughter, brother, nephew, all are coming together under one roof. What’s the difference between democracy and dictatorship if powers and authorities are consolidated in one place? Let’s all share the spoils together. Give power back to the people. Democracy isn’t just about becoming a public dictator but rather about returning public service and authority to the people, in which Nawaz Sharif and his family have failed miserably. Defeat is common in democracy, and one must wait patiently. But if you still refuse to accept defeat after losing, then you’re digging your own political grave for years to come. Then, you sit at home, thinking “our work is done”. When you trust others more than the people, the result is often that you have a pit in front and occasion behind you.