Establishment Support
LAHORE: In an informal conversation at ThinkFest 2024 in Lahore, former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi shared advice with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif. Abbasi suggested that Nawaz Sharif should avoid seeking support from the establishment to come to power after the February 8 elections.
Abbasi recommended that Nawaz Sharif should be content with securing 30 seats instead of aiming for 100 seats with the support of the establishment. He emphasized that Nawaz Sharif should not be discouraged by the number of seats and should prioritize moral courage in political endeavours.
During the conversation, Abbasi expressed his disagreement with the current approach employed by Nawaz Sharif to attain power, stating that those lacking moral courage should refrain from entering politics. He highlighted his own experience, stating that the position of prime minister in Pakistan did not hold significant power, and he acted as a mere figurehead during his tenure.
While addressing the event, Abbasi remarked that the failure of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan was linked to the alleged stolen elections of 2018, creating the current political situation. He criticized the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), stating that it was humiliating politicians and that he was the first victim of NAB.
Abbasi revealed his ongoing commitment to PML-N and clarified that he would not contest elections against his party. He acknowledged the strained political relationship within PML-N.
Additionally, Abbasi commented on the upcoming elections, expressing scepticism about any significant improvements. He alleged that the elections would bring new faces to assemblies, but the fundamental issues of corruption within politics, judiciary, and the establishment needed to be addressed. Abbasi called for reforms in the bureaucracy and emphasized the need for an overhaul in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
Former Finance Minister Miftah Ismail, also present at the event, highlighted the potential controversy in the upcoming elections if symbols were not allocated to parties. He urged a focus on the implementation of the Constitution and the establishment of a strong local government system.
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