A League finding itself

The PML(N) finds itself in an uncomfortable spot. It always has, ever since the 2008 elections. The challenge: how to balance its leader's newfound respect for the democratic process and the constitution with the political turf that it has henceforth occupied. This combination, that is, an anti-establishment, pro-democratic process League, is unchartered territory and it can be forgiven for teething pains.

Nawaz Sharif's press conference where he was inclusive towards even those parties that were out of parliament, when seen in tandem with Chaudhry Nisar's allegations of the PTI being an establishment test-tube baby, communicates a mixed signal. The latter is also a textbook chutzpah, given how the League itself came out of that great incubator of Pakistani political parties.

Consider also Mr Sharif's flippant statement the other day about how even ten prime ministers could be sacrificed at the altar of the rule of law. Now, yes, these are lofty ideals but he should bear in mind that the tables will turn, inevitably, if not this election, then the next or the one after that. Would he want the same treatment that he is advocating now? Is he absolutely certain he is advocating for elected prime ministers to be booted out by non-representative institutions because the country's greater good supposedly demands it?

The League can't be faulted for being antsy. Its choice urban middle-class demographic is being encroached upon by the PTI, which accuses the League of being a friendly opposition when it is feeling relatively charitable, and the PPP’s B-team when it is not.

The League could still have resisted delving into its past style of politics but the last straw was the NAB’s reopening of the Sharifs’ graft cases. Far be it from this space be used to cast aspersion on the Bureau but we do know who pulls the strings there. So does the League. The gloves, hawks within the party say, should come absolutely off now.

Many have remarked how the toppling of his government and subsequent exile have, through a baptism of fire, made a real, democratic leader out of Sharif. And this just might be true. But it is going to be his behaviour during the fag end of the tenure of the sitting government - and his role in the peaceful transition of power, even if it is to the incumbents again - that is going to be the real test of that.