As promised, both Nawaz Sharif's ministers and his detractors have accepted the verdict of the Supreme Court, but in line with their particular positions in the case. The ministers called it a victory. The government side promised to abide by the verdict - because it does not disqualify Nawaz Sharif. Imran Khan lauded the verdict - because it ordered a criminal investigation against Nawaz Sharif. This is criminal investigation, he says, so what right has he to remain prime minister? He has asked the PM to step down for at least 60 days! Justice Asif Saeed Khosa's remark that "a thorough investigation is required" bespeaks that the song has not yet ended. So, as the Supreme Court places a political victory in one hand of Nawaz Sharif, it thrusts moral defeat in the other. That is what the opposition led by Imran Khan has been trying all along. For a member of the National Assembly it is imperative that he should be perceptibly "sadiq" and "ameen"; should he be short on that qualification he forfeits the membership of the National Assembly. Two judges of the country's highest court have branded him dishonest. Of course, the other three did not, but does that matter if in the end what counts is the verdict of the court - i.e., the majority view? The hope, and wish, of many was that the verdict in the Panama Papers case by the Supreme Court would bring to close the chapter of lingering political confrontation in the country. But that hope stands defeated in the wake of this split verdict. Not that it is not on merit and is short on justice; the court is just and fair, but its interpretation by the contending forces tends to be exploited for their narrow political gains. Frankly, there is no light on the other end of the tunnel yet.
As promised, both Nawaz Sharif's ministers and his detractors have accepted the verdict of the Supreme Court, but in line with their particular positions in the case. The ministers called it a victory. The government side promised to abide by the verdict - because it does not disqualify Nawaz Sharif. Imran Khan lauded the verdict - because it ordered a criminal investigation against Nawaz Sharif. This is criminal investigation, he says, so what right has he to remain prime minister? He has asked the PM to step down for at least 60 days! Justice Asif Saeed Khosa's remark that "a thorough investigation is required" bespeaks that the song has not yet ended. So, as the Supreme Court places a political victory in one hand of Nawaz Sharif, it thrusts moral defeat in the other. That is what the opposition led by Imran Khan has been trying all along. For a member of the National Assembly it is imperative that he should be perceptibly "sadiq" and "ameen"; should he be short on that qualification he forfeits the membership of the National Assembly. Two judges of the country's highest court have branded him dishonest. Of course, the other three did not, but does that matter if in the end what counts is the verdict of the court - i.e., the majority view? The hope, and wish, of many was that the verdict in the Panama Papers case by the Supreme Court would bring to close the chapter of lingering political confrontation in the country. But that hope stands defeated in the wake of this split verdict. Not that it is not on merit and is short on justice; the court is just and fair, but its interpretation by the contending forces tends to be exploited for their narrow political gains. Frankly, there is no light on the other end of the tunnel yet.