Former Indian High Commissioner Analyses the Potential Return of Nawaz Sharif as Pakistan’s Prime Minister
Former Indian High Commissioner to Islamabad, Ajay Bisaria, offered insights into the potential resurgence of Nawaz Sharif as Pakistan’s Prime Minister ahead of the country’s Parliamentary Elections scheduled for February 8. He expressed apprehensions about the electoral process, suggesting that it may resemble more of a military selection than a genuine democratic exercise. Bisaria underscored the apparent inclination of the Army towards Nawaz Sharif as their favoured candidate, raising doubts about the fairness and transparency of the election procedures.
Bisaria characterized the upcoming elections as not only predictable but also heavily influenced, citing prevalent discourse within Pakistan indicating a predetermined outcome orchestrated by the military through interventions before, during, and after the electoral process. He noted calls from various human rights organisations and UN agencies for measures to safeguard the integrity of the elections, including ensuring unrestricted Internet access throughout the polling period.
With the sidelining of former Prime Minister Imran Khan due to imprisonment and disqualification from candidature, Nawaz Sharif has emerged as a frontrunner for the premiership. Sharif’s return to Pakistan and acquittal of previous convictions have strengthened his candidacy. Bisaria highlighted the perceived targeting of Khan as a tactic to weaken his party’s influence and maintain control over the political landscape.
In anticipating the intentions of the Army, Bisaria suggested their objective of fostering a coalition amenable to their influence. Regarding the trajectory of India-Pakistan relations post-election, Bisaria stressed the imperative for Pakistan to take proactive steps, especially with potential developments anticipated after India’s elections in June and July. The outcomes of both elections could significantly shape bilateral ties between the neighbouring nations.
