Silence from Sharifs sparks debate

MOST ARGUE PMN-L REACHED A DEAL WITH THE GOVERNMENT FOR THEIR RELEASE

Social media users argue Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz reached a deal with the government for leader’s release |

Former Prime Minister and leader of the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz’s choice to remain quiet after their release from Adiala Jail has become a subject of heated debate on social media.

A two-member bench of Islamabad High Court (IHC), on Wednesday, had ordered their release on bail admitting their plea to suspend their conviction by trial court till final adjudication. Social media users are giving their own explanation to the release and subsequent silence of Sharif and his daughter.

The central point of this intense discussion is whether a deal has been reached between the PML-N and the government/establishment or not for release of Sharif, daughter Nawaz and son-in-law Capt Mohammad Safdar or not. Interestingly, majority of those ‘for’ or ‘against’ deal factor belongs to the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) while PML-N supporters have opted to distance themselves from the controversy.

They have instead, it seems, decided to enjoy this debate within the PTI workers and supporters.

PTI’s supporters who are attributing the Sharifs’ release to some deal at the higher level argue that IHC decision was announced at a time when Prime Minister Imran Khan and his cabinet members were on a visit to Saudi Arabia.

In the past, too, they argue Saudi Arabia had played an important role in the release of Sharifs during Musharraf era and convinced the former military dictator to free and send them to Saudi Arabia.

In return, the Saudi government announced a $10 billion (Dh36.72 billion) investment in Pakistan, further argue the proponents of deal.

They further say that it has also been conveyed to Sharif, his daughter, other members of the family and the party that they will have to distance themselves from politics and remain silent for a certain period.

The anti-deal debaters are of the view that the prime minister has carried out a 22-yearlong political struggle and had always upheld principles of fair play and transparency.

Khan didn’t face the odds only to strike a deal, they say.