London Calling - Scene # 3 - Lights, Camera, Action - Take 2 ;)

[Realistic Change]

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Sunday left for London to try and mediate between his deposed predecessor Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif to close fissures in the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

The party seems to be a house divided as glaring differences emerge, especially over the leadership vacuum created in the wake of the July 28 Supreme Court verdict that disqualified Sharif as prime minister.

The impression is strengthened by a sudden change in the plans of the deposed prime minister to postpone his arrival in the country, as well as reports of a rivalry between his daughter Maryam Nawaz and his nephew Hamza Shahbaz – the next generation of ‘political’ Sharifs. Though the cousins met recently, rumours of a rift refuse to die down.

Abbasi will be joined in London by Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif and other senior leaders of the party.

Sharif left for London from Jeddah, Shehbaz from Lahore, and Abbasi from Islamabad – all on Sunday. Asif is due to join them later. He is currently in Saudi Arabia.

Contrary to reports suggesting that the former premier summoned the top party leaders in London, credible sources in the PML-N shared with The Express Tribune that meetings would take place on Monday (today) as a result of efforts made by PM Abbasi and other senior party leaders who were trying to keep the ruling party intact.

Abbasi visited Lahore last week to hold an important, but low-key meeting with Shehbaz to convince him to fly to London and mend fences with his elder brother after it became clear that Sharif was not coming to Pakistan.

Also, last week, the deposed prime minister thrice delayed his scheduled arrival plan to Pakistan. He was first scheduled to land in Lahore on Sunday. He then rescheduled his return from Jeddah for Tuesday, after performing Umrah along with his mother.

On Wednesday, Sharif again postponed the plan and decided to stay in Saudi Arabia.

Sources in the PML-N said the decision not to fly back to Pakistan and miss the hearings of accountability court references against him in connection with the Panama Papers case had much to with Sharif’s reluctance to interact with his younger brother.

Reports suggesting the possible emergence of a ‘Shehbaz League’, coupled with Shehbaz’s marathon meetings with party office-bearers from across the country and his recent interactions with the Lahore corps commander and other senior military officials have annoyed the former prime minister and widened cracks between the ruling camp.

Sources said Sharif was also displeased with the fact that his daughter Maryam Nawaz attempted to bury the hatchet and reconcile with her uncle and cousin, and she even issued public statements praising her uncle, only to receive a cold shoulder from them.

In addition, the former premier is said to be unhappy after not receiving the welcomes he expected from party leaders and activists every time he flew back to Pakistan from Britain in recent weeks. Apart from a handful of party leaders, only a few activists would show up at the airport to welcome him.

Sharif had reportedly blamed the PML-N’s senior leadership for ‘negligence’ in this regard.

Moreover, before he decided to fly to London, Sharif wanted to spend a few more days in Jeddah amid reports that he has been holding secretive meetings with the Saudi royals to seek their support in dealing with the challenges at home.

Apart from internal party differences, other issues likely to be discussed during the parlays in London include legal options for the deposed prime minister to avoid conviction in the references pending in the accountability court, his upcoming travel plan for Pakistan, and reviewing the report on changes in the Khatam-e-Nabuwwat clause in the previous draft of the Election Bill 2017.

Sharif is reaching London to be with his ailing wife Kulsoom Nawaz, who is due to undergo her second round of chemotherapy. After her surgeries, according to a senior party leader, she was due to undergo six rounds chemotherapies in total. He said the side effects of the bi-weekly chemotherapy can require immediate hospitalisation.

The party official said this was the reason she was taken to hospital earlier this week after her first round of chemo. He said Kulsoom was expected to undergo her second round in another two or three days, He said Sharif is in London solely to be with his ailing wife.

The official said Sharif has not called any meeting with his younger brother Shehbaz or the prime minister, adding that the deposed prime minister is expected to arrive in Pakistan on November 2 to appear before an accountability court in Islamabad on the next day.

“Had Sharif been interested in a meeting, he would have called one after his return to Pakistan.”

He added that the prime minister and the Punjab chief minister decided on their own to go to London to meet with Nawaz.

According to a provincial minister, the Punjab chief minister will be back in the country after two days.

He said the party leaders will discuss the prevailing political situation in the country and challenges faced by the PML-N due to the Panama Papers verdict. The official said the party leaders will also discuss the details regarding Sharif’s return to Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Sunday said there was no rift among national institutions and he does not want people to be duped by conspiracy theories.

Talking to newsmen after his arrival at Heathrow, the prime minister said such notions of a rift among national institutions were only seen in the media.

He said both the political and military leadership was sitting together during the recent meeting with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and all of the country’s institutions were collectively playing their role for national development.

He told the media that he was on a private trip to London and his visit would not cost the national exchequer anything. He would be back to Pakistan by Monday night, he added.

Abbasi reiterated that there was no provision for a technocrat government in the country’s constitution.

Responding to a question, he said he had not proposal holding general elections before the completion of the current tenure.

He said there was no difference within the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the party had delivered well for the country’s development and would keep up the spirit.

(With additional input from APP)

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1544712/1-amid-rumours-rift-sharifs-set-meet/

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This news story has covered many important points but also have missed several other pivotal points - by design perhaps ....

 

[Dastaan]

LONDON PLAN OF RULING PARTY

By Arshad Sharif


Nawaz Sharif is fighting the battle of his survival. Not only his own political survival but also the financial survival of his family fearing forfeiture of his family assets in Pakistan and abroad. Ishaq Dar has already reached that stage after Chairman National Accountability Bureau, Justice (Retd) Javed Iqbal issued orders for forfeiture of assets of the Finance Minister. Legal experts opine that after Chairman NAB’s order in the case of Ishaq Dar, the principles of justce and equity demand a similar freezing order for assets of Nawaz Sharif family.

Apparently, the London huddle was to save Nawaz Sharif going on a suicidal confrontational path in which hawks in PMLN try to camouflage corruption cases in the conspiracy theories spun to blame the judiciary and the armed forces for failure of Sharifs to account for assets beyond means and known sources of income. One possible suggestion is to let younger brother Shahbaz Sharif take over the party for the time being as announced earlier. However, after Nawaz Sharif took a U-turn on his own decision, it seems difficult he would agree to the demand from within the family and the party to hand over power to his younger brother and become a sitting duck. Unless the Courts dislodge Nawaz Sharif from party leadership, he would like to stick to party leadership till then. PMLN leadership believes if Nawaz Sharif steps away from party leadership, they could manage to prevail upon the Court to delay or put in cold storage the Hudaibiya reference and the Model Town case. How PMLN thinks it could it prevail upon the independent judiciary is beyond rule of law and a plan reminiscent of the old NRO days. Independent analysts believe such an NRO is unlikely to happen now.

The peaceniks in PMLN aren’t likely to succeed as Nawaz Sharif has read the writing on the wall. Whether he gives up party leadership or not, his party is likely to break up as happened in the case of Altaf led MQM which has now multiple factions. The faction being led by Mustafa Kamal is said to have some future as more defections are on the cards from MQM Pakistan after Karachi’s deputy mayor Arshad Vohra joined the party. Some MQM Pakistan leaders are also likely to face money laundering charges for sending proceeds of charity to London and enough evidence is now available to proceed with the cases in Pakistani courts. Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has completed the investigations into money laundering of charity proceeds from Pakistan for MQM London Secretariat by some leaders who now form part of MQM Pakistan.

Nawaz Sharif knows a fate similar to Altaf led MQM awaits his party. As Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif knew the design and template and how it worked in the case of Karachi based party. No deal and only rule of law. He awaits a similar fate and the only option is to fight the battle from London or come back, face a possible arrest in due course of time and see how the party crumbles. He has decided to fight back for survival to save the empire made overseas. The links of Indian and Israeli firms with companies of Hussain and Hasan have already been identified by JIT. The secret meetings of Nawaz Sharif with Sajjan Jindal and other Indians are now part of public record. The similarities of Nawaz Sharif with MQM Chief Altaf Hussain are a strange coincidence, whether relating to charges of money laundering or suspicions of dealings with representatives of hostile countries.

Chief Minister Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif, is running from pillar to post to evade cases of Model Town and Hudaibiya involving Rs1.2 billion money laundering charges. Nawaz Sharif knows that Shahbaz Sharif has only managed to delay the inevitable as the long arm of the law is grinding, slowly but surely.

It’s a matter of time when the party crumbles under its own weight for safe political future of key stalwarts like Chaudhry Nisar and others who are not facing any corruption allegations of billions like the Sharif brothers and their family.

Federal Minister Riaz Pirzada has already sounded the warning bells. Riaz Pirzada has managed to have support of a larger group with him than in July when intelligence agencies were directed by Nawaz Sharif to keep a watch on their meetings and movements.

Chaudhry Nisar is keeping his cards close to the chest for a future role and made a timely exit from power corridors of PMLN by making his disagreements public. Nawaz Sharif understands this and the fate of Shahbaz Sharif in the wake of Model Town and Hudaibiya cases is an inevitable eventuality.

PM Shahid Khaqaan Abbasi is ruling out the possibility of early elections which means he is not in favour of dissolving the assemblies, atleast so far. So, the PTI demand for early elections hangs in balance with a planned protest in Islamabad trying to force the government’s hand for early elections. However, in such an eventuality, PPP would again stand with PMLN or go with the PTI is yet to be decided. If PPP opposes dissolution, it would affect the party’s future to a great extent even in Sindh where PTI has started public gatherings. The confessions of Uzair Baloch are weighing heavily on PPP Co Chairman Asif Zardari who is alleged to be the main beneficiary and handler of the Lyari gangster.

The London Meeting of PMLN took stock of the situation with suggestions of party leadership going to someone else, a plan to which Nawaz Sharif did not agree. It’s the inevitable haunting the fate of ex Premier Nawaz Sharif and his family including forfeiture of all assets not only in Pakistan but abroad as well. The empire of Nawaz Sharif clan has to be saved and the only possibility for Nawaz Sharif is to fight back and try to portray a larger conspiracy to oust him. His statements focusing on Iqama are part of the same. The strategy adopted by Sharif family and Ishaq Dar in Accountability Court has sealed their fate unless they could produce the money trail, which is non-existent since Panama Papers were revealed in April 2016. Conviction from Accountability Court is writing on the wall unless non existent money trail could be produced. With such a realization in Nawaz Sharif family, the only option for Nawaz Sharif, both politically and legally, is to fight back and not let the accountability process proceed further.

However, such a confrontational strategy is opposed from within the party by senior leaders including Shahbaz Sharif, Chaudhry Nisar, Riaz Pirzada and a few others having considerable influence in the party, but to no avail.

The confrontational strategy of PMLN as envisioned by Nawaz Sharif might not result in any benefits for the party but a wild calculation based on past experiences has the potential of turning the tide in favour of Sharif family in the long run.

PMLN’s confrontational strategy entails taking the judiciary head on by curtailing the age of retirement of judges and ending the Accountability Courts through National Accountability Commission law. As far as Army is concerned, the drawing room buzz even within PMLN is that a la Pervez Musharraf 1999 formula was under consideration but sanity has prevailed so far.

A few sane voices in PMLN believe that PM Shahid Khaqaan would not oblige Nawaz Sharif with his wild wish of doing a few sackings. However, considering that dissolution of assembly is ruled out by Shahid Khaqaan so far, sackings being termed suicidal from within PMLN, the options for Nawaz Sharif family are few and limited. In such an eventuality, what the opposition is saying, the risk of landing behind bars increases manifold and that may not be far off for Nawaz Sharif family, including Ishaq Dar.

All the messages coming out from London would try to portray a message of reconciliation and non confrontational methodology while sharpening the swords and knifes for the battle to be fought in the days to come.

http://reportersdiary.com/2017/10/london-plan-of-ruling-party-by-arshad-sharif/

 

[Realistic Change]

Nawaz made two critical political mistakes after his disqualification, both of which upped the ante more than he believed and resulted in squeezing of his political maneuvering space.

I have not an iota of doubt if he had an opportunity to redo - he would totally avoid those - indeed in this game; there’s no rewind button, just a fast forward one!

 

[Dastaan]

 

[Guvera]

Sharif is on suicidal mission, whether he takes entire system with him or its just he himself, only time will tell.

 

[Maarkhoor]

Sharif is on suicidal mission, whether he takes entire system with him or its just he himself, only time will tell.

He is trying hard that he go along with entire system so that he could declare himself siyasi shaheed which he could use in next election.

 

[Guvera]

He is trying hard that he go along with entire system so that he could declare himself siyasi shaheed which he could use in next election.

That looks difficult now.

 

[Realistic Change]

He is trying hard that he go along with entire system so that he could declare himself siyasi shaheed which he could use in next election.

True - but let’s analyze this situation from Nawaz and Maryam’s point of view.

They have NO other option than to fight it out; collateral damage is not their headache now; as the choice is between:

A) Fight for Survival (Politcal first then Financial)

B) Fight it out legally and be gone forever - Politically and potentially financially as well - topped with utter disgrace!

Catch 22 with vicious cycle can’t be more suitably used anywhere else than current dilemma of Nawaz and Maryam!

———

As a side note; System will NOT be derailed for Nawaz. Not a chance!

 

[Maarkhoor]

True - but let’s analyze this situation from Nawaz and Maryam’s point of view.

They have NO other option than to fight it out; collateral damage is not their headache now; as the choice is between:

A) Fight for Survival (Politcal first then Financial)

B) Fight it out legally and be gone forever - Politically and potentially financially as well - topped with utter disgrace!

Catch 22 with vicious cycle can’t be more suitably used anywhere else than current dilemma of Nawaz and Maryam!

———

As a side note; System will NOT be derailed for Nawaz. Not a chance!

Whatever their destiny is live and die in exile.

MARK MY WORDS.

 

[Realistic Change]

Whatever their destiny is live and die in exile.

MARK MY WORDS.

Not an iota of doubt about that...both are done and they are aware of it.

Desperate situation warrants desperate actions and they are taking such actions in the hopes of “magic”.

Issue is the fallback arrangement of both; level 2 & 3 have faltered ....and that wasn’t provisioned in their plan!

All of those who are on the opposite side of Nawaz are having most content sleep nights these days *total bliss*

 

[Guvera]

Not an iota of doubt about that...both are done and they are aware of it.

Desperate situation warrants desperate actions and they are taking such actions in the hopes of “magic”.

Issue is the fallback arrangement of both; level 2 & 3 have faltered ....and that wasn’t provisioned in their plan!

All of those who are on the opposite side of Nawaz are having most content sleep nights these days *total bliss*

If Magic didn't worked for Altaf, it wont work for Nawaz either, remember the support Altaf used to enjoy from karachi.....the entire city used to shut down within 10 minutes on just one telephone call from London.....if magic could not save Altaf it wont save nawaz either.

 

[Realistic Change]

If Magic didn't worked for Altaf, it wont work for Nawaz either, remember the support Altaf used to enjoy from karachi.....the entire city used to shut down within 10 minutes on just one telephone call from London.....if magic could not save Altaf it wont save nawaz either.

Nawaz, now, really believes and has to believe in “magic” and magical powers - only - he has no other option....I think he won’t commit suicide!

Logic is his foe

 

[Islam is hope]

@Realistic Change dont u think pmln is still to strong? Or no one is strong enough to take their place ? There is a definite power vaccum but pti is too weak to capitalise , albeit slowly.

 

[Realistic Change]

@Realistic Change dont u think pmln is still to strong? Or no one is strong enough to take their place ? There is a definite power vaccum but pti is too weak to capitalise , albeit slowly.

PMLN is not a political party - it’s a manufactured tool to subvert system/s just enough to fulfil the objectives.

It has a shelf life like other tools ...to name a few PNA, IJI, MQM, JI ....it is too powerful because it can do both; twist and beat the law courtesy it’s unparalleled power base derived from iron fist hold on bureaucracy (and of course Punjab gets the most share in CSS courtesy it’s numerical strength) then multiply this with caste & creed system and result is poor ideological polical environment.

PMLN knows how to create and exploit this fault line which was gifted by Zia through 1985 non party based elections to destroy PPP’s political power - he played the game for which we and country has been paying the price through these tools like PMLN types.

And....yes, PTI played too poorly when it opened full force unnecessary attack on PPP when PMLN was under immense pressure. Sometimes, IK can’t differentiate between being mercenary and a politician - he can’t be both; and win the game while playing within the existing ground rules.

Either play wicked/vile and beat opponents from within the system or go all out and declare war against the system. Incremental wins are not the solution - if it is; then it will span over the centuries not decades.

 

[Islam is hope]

PMLN is not a political party - it’s a manufactured tool to subvert system/s just enough to fulfil the objectives.

It has a shelf life like other tools ...to name a few PNA, IJI, MQM, JI ....it is too powerful because it can do both; twist and beat the law courtesy it’s unparalleled power base derived from iron fist hold on bureaucracy (and of course Punjab gets the most share in CSS courtesy it’s numerical strength) then multiply this with caste & creed system and result is poor ideological polical environment.

PMLN knows how to create and exploit this fault line which was gifted by Zia through 1985 non party based elections to destroy PPP’s political power - he played the game for which we and country has been paying the price through these tools like PMLN types.

And....yes, PTI played too poorly when it opened full force unnecessary attack on PPP when PMLN was under immense pressure. Sometimes, IK can’t differentiate between being mercenary and a politician - he can’t be both; and win the game while playing within the existing ground rules.

Either play wicked/vile and beat opponents from within the system or go all out and declare war against the system. Incremental wins are not the solution - if it is; then it will span over the centuries not decades.

I can only wish someone explains to IK what you are saying here..sometimes idealism lands you nowhere but lets see what hes upto.. he has proved people wrong throughout his life.