Doctors in democracy.

Byline: Asha'ar Rehman

DOCTORS are being put to the test in Lahore these days. They have to come up with a medical report on Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif that is acceptable to all. A tougher examination you wouldn't wish on those who have meted out the worst possible treatment to you.

Already, there have been a couple of teams that have tried to scale this mountain but failed. The reports of these teams, apparently made up of doctors with otherwise the most valid and modern qualifications, have been deemed inconclusive. A new board, the third one, is now assigned the task. It comprises six expert doctors from the most reputable institutes for cardiology. They examined the ex prime minister, nearly 70, on Wednesday and are expected to submit their report soon.

The latest team of doctors put together for Mian Sahib's examination is called the larger board if anyone had any doubts about its capacity. It seems like a very democratic decision when maybe what was needed was some quick decision-making by a specialist well versed with the subject to rule out any complications.

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Apparently, the supposition is that by including specialists from all these institutes, it will be easier for the board to reach an agreement on the line of treatment that has to be followed in this case. There is an assurance by a Punjab minister that the government will accept the advice of the board. The magnanimous minister has declared that the government will accept the expert word now even if it requires hospitalisation of the former prime minister.

The angry Sharif detractors do not appear to understand that dealing generously with one's enemies is also an effective means of winning hearts.

The minister says that the government was ready to work on the recommendations of the two previous boards that have now been made redundant because of the constitution of the third larger team of doctors. There's no reason for anyone to doubt the official sincerity here but of course a few statements from the government could have been avoided to prevent any controversy making an appearance.

Consider, for instance, the same minister's statement in which he gave the PML-N leader's admirers the good news that 10 of the tests that Mian Sahib had undergone had shown him to be in (near) perfect health. But he did spoil it all for his side when he acknowledged that there was an 11th test...