After many days of hearing regularly from the president, the prime minister and members of the government all kinds of assertions in the context of the Supreme Court's short verdict on the NRO, we now have what seems a deathly silence. There has not been a squeak, a peep or a whisper from either the Presidency or the Prime Minister's House following the release of the Supreme Court's detailed judgment on the NRO on Tuesday. This is astounding, given the historic nature of the verdict and its potential impact on the national political scene. The ruling, drafted by the CJ and signed by 17 judges, lays down that no one can simply be declared immune in cases involving corruption. This means President Zardari must put his claim to immunity before the court and that his position as president is now more precarious than ever. It is hard to believe he can, for all his bluster, continue to cling on. The court's tone has been scathing, stating that the NRO protected the corrupt at the cost of the people. The court has also cited examples of the Philippines and Nigeria as countries to which looted funds were brought back from overseas. Some who maintain large bank accounts abroad will undoubtedly be shaking in their shoes. We all know who the most prominent among these individuals are. Their actions over the coming days will decide much of what is to happen.
Indeed, the review filed against the NRO just days ago indicated that panic was already rising. Following the detailed SC verdict, the government now faces a decision that it will struggle to make. The prime minister and his team must implement the decision, and by doing so lop off heads within the PPP. Or else they must defy the court and go back on the promises made to enforce the judgment and avoid any kind of clash with the judiciary. For the country, and for democracy, this could be a disaster. A high-level meeting of the party has reportedly been called at the Presidency. Mr Zardari is also said to have been conducting desperate meetings with key party members in Lahore before heading back to the capital. There are some indications that the government has decided not to follow SC directions. This act of defiance could of course mark the start of the final act in a political drama that has acted to paralyse the system. It cannot continue much longer.
The verdict is being hailed by people everywhere. They are directly affected by the lack of governance, the inflation and the chaos they face as a result of power and gas shortages. They are unwilling to take more. It would be unfair to compel them to do so. We stand today on political ground that shakes and trembles with every step. This cannot be sustained. A logical end must be reached. It is true that, technically speaking, the matter can continue before the court. But people now seek real change and the start of an era that can lead towards progress and an end to corruption. They want leadership that is not based on rhetoric alone, but on something more substantial.
