WITH his appointment as deputy prime minister, Ishaq Dar’s shadow has come to loom larger than ever over the present dispensation. He now virtually shares power with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Being a part of the Sharif family and Nawaz Sharif’s closest confidant, his ascension has not come as a surprise. The wily politician has proved wrong all those who had described his dethroning as economic czar as the end of the road for him. He was given the portfolio of foreign minister, which hardly interests him.

Now Dar has made a great comeback, grabbing the second most important position in the cabinet. It is apparent that he has been appointed to this powerful position by Nawaz Sharif, who now seems to be reasserting his control over the party. The former three-time prime minister is expected to take over the presidentship of the PML-N soon. Dar will be more of a proxy for his former boss, taking instructions from Raiwind.

This is an interesting twist to the fissures within the ruling PML-N. While there has not been any plausible explanation for the creation of the new post, some PML-N leaders have been quoted as saying that the decision was taken even before the formation of the PML-N government. Whatever the facts may be, it is certainly not a happy situation for the prime minister, who is heading a shaky coalition government under a hybrid arrangement. The expected changes in the ruling party’s hierarchy and the emerging dichotomy can seriously undermine his authority.

In his new position, Dar will not only continue to be the country’s top diplomat but will also be deeply........

© Dawn