When the Supreme Court's larger bench resumes hearing on the Panama Papers, today, it is likely to decide whether it should go ahead and hear the petition or constitute a Judicial Commission. In either way, the problems for Sharifs are far from over, but both camps, Sharif as well Imran Khan are equally confident in their 'do or die' legal contest, the fate of which is likely to be decided before the New Year.
The hearing is taking place at a time when an important visit of President of Turkey Tayyip Erdogan is underway and he will make an important speech before the Joint Session of the Parliament this afternoon. The surprised and shocking decision of the opposition, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) did not go well either in the political or diplomatic circle and certainly not within Turkish leadership.
While keeping this controversy aside the pressure will continue on Sharifs and they want to come out of this internal crisis as soon as possible. The big question, can they win this important legal battle, which if they do, could set the tone for PML-N’s victory in the next elections.
But, there is a big 'if', as all is not over and the reports which this writer has gathered revealed that key bureaucrats close to Sharif may be in trouble, not only in cases related to the ongoing petitions but also the 'news leak.'
Although, Sharif's camp looked very confident after the last hearing but some well-informed sources told this writer, that all is not well, and the Qatar connection can reopen a new 'Pandora Box,' which could add to the problems for the ruling camps particularly for some trusted bureaucrats of the ruling party.
Prime Minister, himself has not shown any sign of nervousness and looked as active as before. He is holding regular meetings with party leaders and making speeches in official functions as well as in PML-N's public meetings.
But the manner in which three to four PML-N ministers hold regular press briefings and his own daughter Maryam Nawaz is active on twitter, is not going well in certain circles as she herself is not yet out of the crisis.
SC's larger bench in the last hearing had already indicated that they would confine the case to Panama Papers, and would not expand its scope despite pleas some other petitioners particular that of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), which has asked for 'accountability for all.'
Sharif camp's confidence could also be judged from the fact that despite hiring a new lawyer, veteran Akram Sheikh, they did not seek adjournments and also submitted all the required documents.
They considered the Qatar letter their secret weapon, while some well-informed sources following these developments worried that they could also hurt themselves with this very weapon, if they did not use it carefully.
"You just wait for some related developments on the legal front, which could cause some more problems for them unless they have done their homework well,' one source said.
On the other hand, the strong IK's legal team comprising Barrister Babar Awan, Barrister Naeem Bukhari and veteran Hamid Khan, who faced some tough questions from the bench were equally confident of defending their petition while politician-turn-petitioner were likely to add some extra flavour in his case as he himself is presenting his case.
Today the two side are likely to file objection on their respective documents filed by both sides. It will be interesting to see what position PTI and PML-N leagal teams over the question of forming a judicial commission. The Jamat-e-Islami (JI) has made it clear that it wants a judicial commission.
On the sidelines of this hearing some interesting developments have taken place after disclosure about the letter from Qatar's prince.
A former Secretary Port Qasim Authority, who has recently retired, Mr Jabbar Memon told this writer that this move has raised some serious questions and could open a new Pandora’s Box.
"I myself am moving to the SC, with a plea to address some key questions which include illegal extension given to a senior officer of Port and Shipping despite ban of Supreme Court,” he disclosed.
Some sitting and former bureaucrats, former Minister of Port and Shipping will be included in the list of respondents as this petition has lot to do with the ongoing hearing on Panama Papers. particularly after disclosure of this letter, Memon added.
This bureaucrat has got the extension in January, this year and since then has paid an important visit to Qatar and met a former close aide of Sharifs, he added.
This is not the only difficulty which the Sharif family are facing, today. The ‘news leak' controversy also refuse to die despite soft removal of former Information Minister, Pervez Rasheed at this crucial juncture.
The high powered Inquiry Committee, has also been given a deadline to complete its work within 30 days and despite denial, contradiction, calling the story ‘untrue and fabricated’, the unanswered question about the purpose of feeding the story is the most problematic area for Sharif government.
Even someone like veteran Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad also knows that if Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif remains in his position on the eve of the New Year, it may turn out to be the end of the story for Imran Khan and also for himself, while the victory of Imran Khan here means a completely new political discourse in the country.
It is certainly a battle between Raiwind and Bangi Gala, as other political players watch these developments from Dubai and London.
Sharifs must remember that one of the reasons why Tayyap Erdogan, successfully defeated the coup staged by a group of Generals through people's support was because he had done a lot for his own people, who came on the street and foiled the attempt.
Thus, taking inspiration from President Erdogan, is one thing and becoming Erdogan, is another, which requires collective support of the people and parties.
What Erdogan did after the coup was expected but perhaps in some areas his action brought criticism for crushing the opposition. There is also a lesson for Sharif and our rulers in this as well.
—The writer is the senior columnist and analyst of Geo, The News and Jang.