Even though nothing is set in stone yet, how would the Sharifs manage to pull a rabbit out of their election hat sans Shehbaz’s whirlwind contacts with the powers-that-be. The heavy–visible–investment in infrastructural development even managed to make the voters overlook the seemingly neverending list of scandals swirling around the PML-N. Call it a twist of the fate but Shehbaz’s excpetional governance in Punjab, especially Lahore, has always been the posterboy for his party’s clarion call for its voters. Nevertheless, the direct casualty of this clash of the titans has been PML-N, breathing its last as its head honchos are busy cutting the very branch they’ve been reigning from. Yet, the new gamechanger is still interested in playing dirty games. Shehbaz clearly has his eyes set on 2023.

While Shehbaz could not be more clear about treading a path of his own–far too detached from the mainstrem stinging narrative-Maryam believed in building upon her onslaught against the government. His invitation to PPP and ANP was immediately followed by caustic expulsion calls by Mayam and her cronies. First, it was the practical uncle locking horns with toughliner Maryan Nawaz over a PDM dinner. The fissures were visible from miles away. So much for playing a lifetime of politics on the basis of familial unity. As the seeds of confusion go down deeper, all is not well within the house of Sharifs. Known for his no-questions-asked loyalty to older Nawaz, the former CM was certainly handed a losing bargain. With his scion promising to take up the matter to the PML-N supremo, his threat to leave the party’s presidency is the proverbial last nail in the Jati Umra’s coffin. He believes failure to lend an ear to his strategy has resulted in such a humiliating loss. The word around town points to a disgruntled Senior Sharif who apparently has a bone to pick with senior management. Amidst such high temperatures, Leader of the Opposition is being said to not take the drastic defeat in his stride. Protest calls against the infamous rigging are once again the order of the day and there are even plans of knocking at the doors of law. Top party leadership has handed the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) election results a frozen mitten. Now, rumours mills are working overtime these days. Though his niece’s fiery speeches had, undoubtedly earned her a massive public appeal, politics in Pakistan cannot function on the crutches of slogans alone.

For, months of spewing venom against the establishment had cast the Lahori Lions in a far unacceptable light. When the PML-N’s phoenix had arisen from the flames of prison to pick up reins three months ago, Islamabad was mesmerised by his turb-charged politics and reconciliatory rhetoric.

Clash of the titans 2