Senior journalist and Dawn columnist
It seems that this judgment may have sealed Nawaz Sharif’s political career but it is not certain whether it is the end of Sharif’s political dynasty as well.
As for the political repercussions at this point in time, the party will not take to the streets; there is a clear indication that they will not go to that extent.
But it seems that despite all this — the conviction, sentence and trial — Nawaz still has a strong power base in central Punjab.
The ruling will have a long-term political impact on the country’s politics. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) remains one of the strongest political forces in Pakistan and I think it will be very difficult for the establishment or for anyone to break them.
The PML-N is not displaced, but certainly there is a big question mark on Nawaz’s political career. It seems that it will be very difficult for him to come back, but the PML-N will survive as a political force.
The problem with the accountability — or so-called accountability — process is that… I’m not saying that the charges against him have been concocted, but there is certainly a big question mark on the way the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has been working. That is one of the reasons that the verdict is seen as political victimisation.
So there is certainly a political aspect to the whole thing, it’s not just simple ‘accountability’ or ‘justice being done’.