Non-expert defence.

Byline: Asha'ar Rehman

THE spectacle of a whole political party having to defend the right of an individual to stay abroad, for one reason or another, does not leave Pakistan. And as has always been the case, it does not make for pleasant viewing.

Every party has been here, since self-exile or living abroad 'temporarily' is something Pakistani politicians are very fond of volunteering when faced with trial and imprisonment. Poor health has often been a reason for delaying these politicians' return to the motherland, but very rarely have the personal details about a politician-patient been revealed to the public as now. This leaves the lieutenants facing the media on their behalf in unfamiliar territory. They are routinely asked questions that are best left to the doctors.

The larger the party, the bigger the noise. You could have very little or absolutely no response to allegations about retired Gen Pervez Musharraf absconding from the law in the country. On the other hand, a party such as the PML-N must make sure that its reaction to the government's actions, or even statements, are proportionate to its size and its desire.

Not an hour passes without a well-known PML-N politician, a kingmaker in his own right in his area, clearing his throat and then letting the world know just how keen he is to ensure his leader stays in London - for the time being and for medical treatment. In due course, this spokesman is replaced by another soul committed to equally loudly defending his leader's right to the best possible medical care on the face of this unequal earth.

Self-exile or living abroad 'temporarily' is something Pakistani politicians are very fond of volunteering when faced with trial and imprisonment.

Having taken part in this 24-hour routine over and over again, someone from the Sharif camp then rears their head to speak words of common sense. The emerging argument is that there is no politics involved here and the discussion is purely about the medical condition of a gentleman, who happens to be a politician and a three-time former prime minister of Pakistan.

The statement is as true as you would ever expect coming from a political camp. Then why not have an expert deliver it to the government? Why not have a doctor talk about the reasons that are holding the very respectable Mian Sahib from honouring his original commitments?

Better still, in an atmosphere where Pakistanis find it very tough to trust other Pakistanis, why not have...