They will strike again and PML-N knows that. But are they willing to neutralize the second coming of assault from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), is yet to be seen. There have been some improvements from the PML-N regime, but lots and lots need to be done and pretty quickly. This lethargy of last year needs to end, if PML-N wants to survive. Room to play is very narrow for the PML-N. The sit-ins of both PTI and PAT may have entered into cul-de-sac and may fizzle out soon unless something really different happens, but Imran Khan would keep on pricking the government, and would capitalize on any chance given.
There were three root causes why PML-N and Nawaz regime got cornered and became helpless at their own and were on verge of loosing their government and perhaps lives too due to PTI and PAT sit-ins:
1) Fractured and Animosity-filled relations with military
2) Nepotism of Sharif family
3) Load-shedding.
The first two root causes can be resolved within hours, while the third one will take time, but it can be managed smartly through media and with new appointments and publicly displaced war-footing measures. Now as far as the first contentious root cause is concerned, it seems Nawaz Sharif has already started working in that direction. ISI chief was appointed with the advice and approval of the army chief. Nawaz Sharif became aggressive towards India in the United Nations and threw strongest of the spotlight on the Kashmir issue. But still he needs more to do. He must let Musharraf go, and he must stop pursuing that case. The second root cause can also be resolved and this will not only improve the image of Nawaz Sharif, it will also shut the mouth of Imran Khan, and it will bring improvement in the performance of government. In order to eliminate nepotism, Nawaz Sharif must remove Maryam Nawaz, Hamza Shahbaz, and Abid Sher Ali from their posts. They have no competency and they have no merit or any other thing. Shahbaz Sharif and Ishaq Dar are doers and performers and have shown their worth and must not be removed. For the third one, Nawaz Sharif has to change the team. Khawaja Asif doesn’t seem to hit it off. Bring in some smart and active person from the back benches instead of the kitchen cabinet and bring in international experts. Get foreign companies in it and show some progress through media. These 3 core issues must be resolved and only then Nawaz dispensation can survive and flourish.