Attack on Maryam Nawaz

Today's most interesting development in Pakistan is the attack on Maryam Nawaz daughter of three-time Pakistan's Prime minister Nawaz Sharif shows the lack of empathy and respect for anyone who disagrees with the government. She was summoned by National Accountability bureau (NAB) for an old case. This is one of the long lines of oppression against the opposition parties since the election of the current government of Imran khan. 

Although NAB is supposed to be independent from the government but it has always been used by the ruling party in Pakistan since its formation in 1999, A month after dismissal of elected government by General Pervez Musharraf. Every government since has used it to keep opposition parties in check but the incumbent party since it's its electoral victory in 2018. The last two 2 years have shown the absurdity of NAB laws for example the best of this the Last PM shahid Khaqan Abbasi who was kept in prison for nearly eight months in the name of investigation and no charges were filed against him. This draconian practice is usually done by dictators in without any charges an elected member of the main opposition party was kept in jail. 

This belief that accountability is for opposition parties has been further reinforced when Jehangir Tareen, a well-known sugar tycoon, who helped finance the electoral win of the incumbent government was allowed to leave the country as NAB just started to look in him after some differences developed between him and PM Imran Khan. Tareen, whose name is taken in not one but 2 sugar related scandal which lead to increase its price from 56 per kg to 100+ per kg.

You may call it an achievement, one of only few of the current government, that public has raised its voice urging the parliament to pass a bill to reform this bureau and that  accountability should occur across the board for both opposition and government alike.  Members of opposition party who have spent time in jail are openly saying that they have passed these tribulations and time is not far when the current government officials will face the same challenges as todays' opposition.

Time will tell what will happen in coming days but today marks one of first day within this year Pakistan Muslim League (N) has shown any political activity.