By Mashal Khan

ISLAMABAD (TSAT) - The next week is decisive for Pakistan as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will arrive in Islamabad after a lengthy meeting with his elder brother in London. 

According to The News, the ruling party supremo has asked his younger brother to call the National Security Committee, the top body of civil-military leadership, and shift the burden of tough decisions on their shoulders. 

“PMLN sources say that both the options are still on the table and there is a proposal of inviting all the different stakeholders, possibly to a special National Security Committee meeting, for a consensus decision on the economy and new elections,” a prominent Pakistani journalist Ansar Abbasi wrote in his story in The News. 

According to Abbasi, it's expected that Sharif will invite the President, Chief Justice of Pakistan, and all four Chief Ministers to the NSC meeting to decide the options to go for fresh elections or take tough decisions.

The tough decision can be increasing the prices of petroleum, however, such a decision can cause a reaction from the public across the country and will provide support to former Prime Minister Imran Khan's ongoing public campaign against the government. 

Currently, Pakistan facing tough economic problems and the South Asian country need immediate support from the IMF, however, IMF asked the new government to first increase the petroleum prices and remove the subsidy.

“The sources said that Nawaz Sharif was told that if tough decisions are taken, the PMLN-led coalition would have to pay a high political price. The new government has no guarantee of continuing until August 2023 as the options being discussed see elections being held as soon as in October this year,” the report said. 

“Staying in the government for three to six months could be disastrous for the PMLN as there is no escape from taking tough and unpopular decisions, including the withdrawal of the oil subsidy, which would lead to a phenomenal price hike,” Abbasi wrote in his story. 

A Pakistani political analyst, Muhammad Ibrahim Qazi, also agreed with Abbasi and said that PML-N stuck in difficult situation.

“Nawaz Sharif wants early elections [but former] President Zardari, PM SS [Shehbaz Sharif], Cabinet and Establishment wants this cabinet to complete the term,” Qazi wrote on Twitter. 

He added that Nawaz Sharif won’t allow price hiking incase cabinet wants to remain in power.

“The Cabinet is of the opinion to allow price hiking as there are no funds available in the treasury. Nawaz Sharif then asks to get help from friendly countries and IMF bailout package but no price hiking.”

“Foreign Govt’s think Imran Khan will topple this Govt so ask for polls. Establishment wants PM SS to appoint the new Army Chief after the retirement of the incumbant before announcing polls,” he claimed. 

“Establishment doesn’t want to see Imran Khan making key appointments after predicted triumph in early elections.[While] Zardari wants to remain in power and complete term due to Sindh and other constitutional positions as agreed upon in the agreement of PDM. He has put PMLN on spot to take the toll of failures as Imran Khan embraced political martyrdom and gained sympathy,” according to Qazi.

There is a looming financial crisis and the state-craft is in US to repair ties and manage the target of US$ 20 Billion from friendly countries and IMF. 

“Establishment is worried about meeting military expenditure.”

“Overall Imran Khan is the political victor in this situation no matter how much we dislike his politics. If the Govt succeeds in bringing US$ 20 Billion, prevents price hiking and completes the term then Imran Khan will lose the plot,” he opined.

However, the currently former PM Khan built an anti-US narrative that attracted the public who believed that the US had allegedly ousted Khan from power. 

Khan’s massive gatherings in Peshawar, Karachi, Lahore, Attock, Jhelum, Mardan, and Sialkot have also put the new government under pressure.