Why Nawaz Sharif Refused to Visit Pakistan Due to Imran Khan

The Nawaz Sharif administration had been very strict with security in the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) headquarters for quite some time. They wanted to keep it away from anyone who might be a threat or a political rival. This is why Prime Minister Imran Khan was not allowed to visit the country by his successor Nawaz Sharif when he was alive. Now that Shahbaz Sharif has gone out of house arrest, the PMLN members could return home with their weapons but Sharif refused to go there because of an incident that happened during the 2017 elections.

The election campaign in which Nawaz Sharif and his family campaigned did not end without some drama. During one of the rallies, a group of soldiers threw stones at the crowds that were gathering for the campaign. Many people suffered injuries and many of them died in hospital. A police officer was injured and later died of his injuries. Following this, I believe Nawaz Sharif decided to stay away from the public for a while and let other leaders of the party come and talk to each other about the state of affairs. He was too busy campaigning and preparing for the next polls in Punjab. It must have frustrated him that if he went out into the streets and was seen, that would put an end to his campaign and make him lose support and power. But he said no and stayed in the capital for a while. Why? Because he believed that the last time Sharif stayed in Lahore was during the previous years. And he didn't want any outsider coming back with a negative press story that would destroy his image as prime minister.

But later after he became prime minister again, he came back and visited the country with his wife Syed Zafar Iqbal. So, we can see how much he loved his prime ministership now. Even in the past, he had shown an open affection for the president and even the military, but now, instead of visiting these places of honor, he visits the same places where he had to work hard for the last time - with a smile on his face and a nod. Is it possible that he feels that the incumbent rulers don't trust him anymore because he never showed enough appreciation of the presidents, generals, and their wives or even the soldiers? He wants his successor (Imran Khan) to do everything possible to take over the military and also to remove the corrupt rulers. That's why he doesn't go to the country and meet all of the top army brass and politicians in Rawalpindi. After all, his daughter Zahidat is going to become prime minister for the first time in the history of our beloved nation. But is she really sure about her choice? If he leaves the country soon, then it will probably come out in the press that he intends to leave once he gets rid of the corrupt rulers. Once again, a question is raised about his intention and why he avoids visiting the place where he built the grand palace and where he spent a lot of money. He is known to have said that he was not interested in politics and never played an active role in it.

The question who is more important — his daughter or his son? Course answers that their father is still chief executive, whereas their mother is just a second lieutenant general and the new prime minister. Then, what does the prime minister do without being the chief executive? Surely, he needs to sit down and discuss matters with the other governors and the prime ministerial staff because he is the only person who can take decisions without the approval of his cabinet. All he needs to do is say "I'm sorry". As we all know, Prime Ministers are supposed to give speeches as well as take action and that is exactly what he is doing by staying in Rawalpindi. What is most interesting is that his son is not taking seriously his father's decision and even thinks that Prime Minister Imran Khan is bad luck. Recently, speaking to the media in Islamabad, Zahidat has explained that the main reason why the PMLN's leaders are unhappy is that they feel sidelined and are being ignored by the government. It was the PMLN's slogan "Chaudhary kayak" (Don't forget) which made everyone laugh while making many jokes. For the whole time, this slogan was the biggest news item in the world. Chaudhary is the man who took over the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz when the military coup overthrew Benazir Bhutto and brought its president in General Pervez Musharraf. His real name is Muhammad Qasim Ali as per the court documents.

One day before the 2018 elections, Nawaz Sharif ordered two senior army officers to resign as Prime Minister. However, he gave them another three months to clear their names and even extended their tenure by giving them two more three-year terms. Then, at the start of 2019, the military removed Nawaz Sharif from office after they found that he had abused their powers for personal gains. After a long struggle with the courts, and with the help of the PTI, he returned to the office and stayed there till the day he stepped down for the fifth time when he decided to step down due to the coronavirus pandemic and was replaced by his loyal wife Bilawal. This is why he stays back in Rawalpindi, where he has remained for 20 years so far, and refuses to go back to Lahore. Not only the military has a major stake in the running of the country but also the civilian parties like the Pakistan Peoples Party and the National Awami Party. These parties are the only ones that will continue to fight against the military and corrupt rulers until the day when the current system of governance should be finally scrapped.