If the results of surveys are a dependable weather vane, a new one conducted in Pakistan says Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif enjoys an impressive degree of support among the people — 66 per cent, down only two per cent from the period of last year’s election. And his truculent opponent Imran Khan, currently stationed in Islamabad and orchestrating a mass rally calling for Sharif’s resignation, finds his popularity ratings slip by 17 per cent over the past two years. Against this backdrop, the so far inconclusive drama being played out on the streets of the capital seems far from a denouement. However, the heartening aspect of the two-week face-off has been Sharif’s growing resolve to adhere to his office and safeguard his country’s constitution. And this is exactly what Pakistan needs at the moment — a firm voice at the helm that talks to people of stability and purpose in a climate of uncertainty.
Another note of reassurance has been that nine out of 10 political parties in Pakistan have voted for the supremacy of the constitution as paramount in a National Assembly meeting last week. In a democracy that is still fragile, this will help Sharif stay firm in his resolve while hopefully continuing to engage with Imran, despite the latter’s inexplicable intransigence. The way forward for Pakistan lies not in Imran’s attempts to dismantle an electorally chosen government, but in Sharif’s ability to stand his ground and achieve a breakthrough through negotiations. In doing this, he can showcase the power of democratic conventions over inopportune populist miscalculations.
