Nawaz Sharif’s Return to Pakistan: A Mix of Emotion and Political Strategy
Nawaz Sharif’s return to Pakistan after four years of self-imposed exile was met with a warm and enthusiastic welcome from his supporters at Lahore’s Greater Iqbal Park. The event marked his comeback to the political limelight, and the energy and excitement in the crowd were palpable. While initially appearing impassive, Sharif’s emotions became evident when he embraced his daughter, Maryam Nawaz, in a particularly poignant moment.
In his speech, Sharif openly acknowledged the immense personal cost he had paid during his exile, sharing a verse that alluded to the overwhelming emotions he was trying to contain. He spoke of the wounds that never heal, referencing the loss of his wife while he was in jail and his inability to say a final goodbye or bury his mother, both of whom were integral parts of his life. He lamented, “I lost them to politics.”
Sharif also mentioned his daughter’s arrest, emphasizing her lack of involvement in his political activities. However, his speech lacked the force and assertiveness that marked his earlier addresses. The once-vocal advocate of ‘vote ko izzat do’ appeared more subdued.
While Sharif still questioned, “mujhey kyun nikala?” (Why was I ousted?), he seemed hesitant to push the issue further. Notably, he avoided direct references to the judiciary and military’s interference in politics, offering only indirect allusions to prevent a repeat of the past.
It was evident that Sharif aimed to reset the narrative. His speech was laden with nostalgia for the year 2017, focusing on topics like infrastructure development, exchange rates, inflation, energy costs, poverty, and unemployment. However, there was a noticeable absence of acknowledgment of his past policies that contributed to some of Pakistan’s current challenges. Despite this, he continued to promote populist promises.
While this was his first speech upon return, it remains to be seen whether the PML-N’s economic policy has evolved. If it remains unchanged from the Dar era, Sharif may face challenges in delivering on his promises. Nonetheless, his return to active politics is a positive development, and many hope he will seek a fair electoral contest rather than seeking a hand-delivered return to power.
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