Pakistan - The return of the Sharifs
16/07/18 14:23 Filed in:
pakistanAX INTEL BULLETIN: Pakistan - The return of the Sharifs
DATE: 16JUL2018
The recent return from London and imprisonment of Nawaz Sharif along with his political heir and daughter Maryam Sharif has opened the Jul. 25 Pakistani election to new uncertainty and concern…
AX INTEL BULLETIN: Pakistan - The return of the Sharifs
DATE: 16JUL2018
The recent return from London and imprisonment of Nawaz Sharif along with his political heir and daughter Maryam Sharif has opened the Jul. 25 Pakistani election to new uncertainty and concern. Facing 10- and 7-year sentences for corruption and lying, the Sharifs have used their return to rally supporters and the occasion to increase their blustering attacks on the military and judiciary.
The wholesale arrests of PML-N activists in connection with the return and growing climate of intimidation and coercion felt by the media and others has thrown into question whether the political parties can expect to compete on a level playing field. Meanwhile, the crackdown has seemingly energized Sharif’s loyalists and gained public sympathy for the Sharifs. Continuing agitation, coupled with a recent spike in terrorist attacks also raises the possibility that the election might be postponed, especially should the violence spread to major cities.
With the Sharifs assuming the mantle of defenders of democracy in challenging the actions of country’s military and judiciary, it becomes increasingly difficult to see how the establishment can continence a Sharif-influenced PML-N’s return to national office, even in a fragile coalition government. Nawaz Sharif has left little doubt that if given the opportunity there would be retribution.
All of this is taking place against the backdrop of serious economic concerns that will outlive the election season drama. Pakistan’s foreign currency reserves have plunged, the devaluation of the rupee continues, and the national debt has reached new heights. Whatever the election’s outcome, Pakistan seems poised for a period of serious political and economic instability.
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