Diplomacy, politics, and strategy have now placed the current setup at the top. The February 8 elections and successive opposition setbacks had always hindered the popularity of the Shehbaz government. The Iran–America crisis has not only given the Shehbaz government an international standing but has also subdued internal political opposition. PTI-affiliated YouTubers do not miss a single day in pointing out government mistakes, but despite that, the political atmosphere has completely changed. At present, everyone is praising the diplomatic role of the Field Marshal and the Prime Minister. Opposition leader Mahmood Achakzai has also, as a wise politician, declared the state and government policies to be correct. The opposition is not in a position to launch any movement immediately; at this time, the morale of PTI extremists has weakened. Rapid developments have pushed divisive politics far behind and brought the state to the forefront. Obviously, due to these specific circumstances, the government is currently at the top, but remember, this rise will last only two to three months. If political conditions do not change, then after two or three months, the same bickering will begin again, which has become our fate.

Today’s topic is not the politics of the government and opposition, but solely to draw attention to the fault lines of the government and the need for governmental overhauling. Whether victory is diplomatic or military, political or economic, history tells us that at such moments, great leaders always announce reforms. The issue of the current government’s legitimacy has existed from the beginning, but recent global events have temporarily settled this matter. In the history of the subcontinent, Ashoka the Great is a very prominent name. After the conquest of Kalinga, he transformed both his rule and himself; it was this transformation that made him great. Bismarck, after unifying Germany, announced social welfare programs. Napoleon Bonaparte implemented the Napoleonic Code after victory. Abraham Lincoln declared the abolition of slavery after victory. Shehbaz Sharif should follow great people and thoroughly reform his own system. This is the time to overhaul the government—clean up its political face and present it openly, break free from the grip of bureaucracy, step out of the imaginary paradise created in the name of good governance, and enter the practical world.

Recent events have placed the Shehbaz government at the peak, but the descent from the peak happens very quickly. Federal cabinet ministers are astonished and troubled by the dominance of bureaucracy. One minister carries his resignation in his pocket; another minister indulged in lavish spending during a foreign trip, and the embassy refused to pay the bill. When the hotel contacted the department, it also refused to pay for personal expenses. When the matter reached the Prime Minister, he told the minister to pay the bill himself. Since then, the Prime Minister has been upset with that minister. At least two or three ministers have complained to the Prime Minister about their summaries being blocked by the Prime Minister’s Secretariat. A federal minister, on condition of anonymity, said that Shehbaz’s governing model is that of a Chief Minister, not a Prime Minister. He explained that in the federation, a minister is empowered, whereas in a province, a minister must seek the Chief Minister’s approval for every task. In the federation, every cabinet member is equal. The Prime Minister is indeed the head of government, but the cabinet collectively bears responsibility for all decisions. The minister said that since the bureaucracy working with the Prime Minister has come from the province, it is running the federation like a province, which is creating numerous complications. An important source said that several key individuals sympathetic to the Prime Minister drew his attention to complaints regarding his Secretariat and advised him to undertake a major overhaul so that the government’s face becomes political and the pace of decision-making can accelerate.

The writer has for a long time been pointing out the growing gap between the federal and Punjab governments; now it seems that attention has been given for the first time to reducing this gap. However, there is still a deep distance between the two governments, weakening political objectives and narrative. On the other hand, the process of keeping politics away from journalism continues. Although politics and journalism are like separate streams of a river, both Punjab and the federal government have adopted “other methods” instead of engaging with journalists, freeing themselves from the hassle of journalists and journalism, and easily projecting success in the media. However, this policy is temporary and artificial. As soon as government power and influence diminish, journalism will expose everything. One of the main reasons for the failure to form a government narrative is that the government has turned away from the public, journalism, and politics, and is focusing only on the pillars of power. Apparently, this policy yields success—and it is—but can leadership ever establish itself by distancing itself from the public, politics, and journalism? Power, coercion, and pressure are tools that work only temporarily; as soon as difficult times arise, these tools become blunt, and the incoming government comes equipped with sharper tools. Good politics means carrying popularity and acceptability together, convincing the public through journalism, and getting one’s narrative accepted. All other paths are temporary and artificial. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif possesses many qualities; he listens to and tolerates criticism. He has the ability to carry people along. The way he is acting as a bridge between the establishment and the political government is admired by both the military and his political party. The People’s Party is his ally and has no complaint against him; rather, it does not delay in resolving any complaint. However, his complete reliance on bureaucracy and continuous distancing from politics are weaknesses that must be removed if he is to defeat his political opponents.

Shehbaz Sharif is a fortunate Prime Minister because he has consistently enjoyed full support from the establishment. No foreign country has created difficulties for him; rather, foreign countries are strengthening him. Within the country, the opposition was an issue, but the recent crisis has temporarily extinguished that as well, and it will take a few months for it to reignite. Now Shehbaz Sharif should, like great leaders, make big decisions. He should test his political intelligence and wisdom in the public arena. Remember that in Pakistan, the average tenure of political governments has not exceeded two to two and a half years. The government has completed two years and has now entered its third year. This is an extremely sensitive phase. After a four-year term, the likelihood of a national government is high because without including PTI or a major part of it in power, no one will trust the transparency and fairness of the next elections. Whether one accepts it or not, if the chapter of politics remains closed during the four-year period, then the chances of a national government will increase—and obviously, to run a national government, both the establishment and the “wonder boy” will come into action.