Nawaz Sharif is considered the true political force behind the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N). The party’s vote bank revolves around him, and he is recognized as its undisputed leader. Whether it’s party affairs or political stances, all eyes turn to him. However, since the PML-N has returned to power, Nawaz Sharif has remained cautious and speaks little on political matters. His political opponents claim that he is isolated and appears bound, unable to act freely, caught in political constraints.
Although he thinks deeply and has the desire to accomplish much, he seems practically helpless. PML-N holds both the Prime Minister’s and Deputy Prime Minister’s positions at the federal level, and the party holds full control in Punjab. Perhaps this is why Nawaz Sharif believes it is wise to remain cautious and avoid engaging too much in political discourse. Nonetheless, his strategy or necessity raises several questions.
Nawaz Sharif is fully aware of how his return to Pakistan became possible and how PML-N secured power. In this power-sharing arrangement, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), and Balochistan’s BAP party are also stakeholders. Currently, relations with the establishment are stable, and Nawaz Sharif has been acquitted of the cases filed against him during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s tenure.
In the political game of power, he often sees himself as a political prisoner and realizes that this power arrangement required a significant political sacrifice, including compromising on his own political stances. Although the Sharif family remains united, with no internal family disputes or strategic disagreements, Nawaz Sharif’s political role appears limited within the context of conciliatory politics, the power game, and relations with the establishment.
There have been multiple announcements that Nawaz Sharif would soon tour all four provinces and personally oversee the party’s organizational matters, taking responsibility for revitalizing the party. However, practically, this has not been seen. In the current circumstances, he does not want to step out of his comfort zone and engage in active politics.
Occasionally, Nawaz Sharif is seen interacting with people in Jati Umrah or Murree or offering political support and encouragement to Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, in managing the province. However, in national politics and important federal matters, his role appears restricted.
The organizational challenges facing PML-N and the political figures who could restore the party’s public image have faded from view. This is why, even on media platforms, not only his political opponents but also his supporters acknowledge that Nawaz Sharif no longer holds the same grip on Punjab as he once did. The PTI still maintains a strong vote bank in Punjab, as evidenced by the results of the February 8 elections. PML-N has not yet managed to develop a political narrative that could diminish PTI’s popularity in the province.
By accepting the political arrangement for power, Nawaz Sharif has weakened his political stance. While this paved the way for power, it has left him politically isolated, along with the party. Currently, since his party is in power, everything appears fine on the surface. However, those who understand the political dynamics know where PML-N and Nawaz Sharif’s politics stand.
PML-N’s political role is not exemplary but rather based on reconciliation and political maneuvering. Even Shahbaz Sharif’s speeches indicate that he has to tread carefully, mindful of both the establishment on one side and PPP’s dual-faced politics on the other. PPP, while being a stakeholder in power, also stands in opposition to PML-N in many aspects.
The dual nature of PPP’s politics and support is also becoming evident. It seems that PML-N has confined itself to Punjab and is focused on increasing its vote bank there. All of this has been orchestrated by Nawaz Sharif. Those who believe this strategy belongs solely to Shahbaz Sharif are mistaken. Nawaz Sharif may be silent, but he is very much aware of and in control of the situation, fully supporting and endorsing Shahbaz Sharif’s decisions.
PML-N has limited options within the current political setup and appears to be in a weak position in the power game. It must continue playing until the end of the game, but it lacks full control over decisions, such as who to place in which position. If either Nawaz or Shahbaz Sharif crosses the “red line,” it would harm their family’s power, and no one in the family would want Nawaz to attempt the same things he did in the past.
It is unlikely that Nawaz Sharif will be able to pursue politics based on his “Respect the Vote” slogan. Although Nawaz Sharif is naturally quiet and speaks little, the burden he has taken on in the name of this political arrangement raises the question of how long he can bear it and, if he tries to escape from it, how he will manage to do so.
Opponents of the founder of PTI were wrong in their assumptions that he would not withstand the hardships of prison or that his popularity would fade over time. However, the resistance displayed by PTI’s founder has put PML-N’s politics on the back foot.
Meanwhile, there is a growing realization among the establishment that their difficulties are increasing as PTI’s criticism mounts, and PML-N and PPP are unable to make effective decisions to counter it. The current government arrangement has yet to take any significant decisions, largely due to its own flaws and weaknesses. They have fallen victim to the politics of compromise, which has weakened their political position and will only further exacerbate their political difficulties.