Mian Nawaz Sharif has many parallels in modern history. By modern history I mean the last eight decades or so. The names that come instantly to my mind are Dr. Salazar of Portugal, Franco of Spain, Sigmund Rhea of Cuba, Marcos of Philippines, Raza Shah of Iran, Hosni Mubarak of Egypt. And Zain ul Abdin of Tunis. I have carefully left out Qaddafi and Saddam, as both had either military or ideological background. Hosni Mubarak too had military background but his elevation to power occurred on the basis of his party affiliation. In an interesting way, Nawaz Sharif’s elevation to power occurred on the basis of the patronage he received from several generals, including General Jilani whose protégé he initially was, General Zia ul Haque who treated him like his own son and General Aslam Baig who helped him with funds to win the 1990 elections.
Main Nawaz Sharif in his political career till now has seen off eight army chiefs— starting from General Zia ul Haque. Then General Aslam Baig. Then General Asif Nawaz, then General Kakar. Then General Karamat. Then General Musharraf. Then General Kiyani. And then General Raheel Sharif. Would General Bajwa be the 9th?
Only time will tell. But if he doesn’t, and this year may witness his political demise, like the demise of his predecessors (mentioned above) occurred, the historians are likely to single out “Imran factor” as the principal cause of his fall from power. Of course the role of the judges in bringing about the reversal of Mian’s ever-rising fortunes will be decisive, as will be General Bajwa’s resolve not to be the 9th; but if there had been no Imran, Princess Maryam would have ascended to power by now, pushing her father up to the status of His Majesty the King.
The Generals and the Judges owe a lot to Imran Khan for being in the position they are in, now.
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