As the PML-N licks its near-fatal wound it must also be asking whether it could rise phoenix-like from the ashes of the Supreme Court's verdict against Nawaz Sharif, his children, son-in-law and one of his closest confidantes.


One of the first hints of Mr Sharif's oncoming travails came in the news conference addressed by Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on the eve of the Supreme Court judgement, where the then interior minister seemed keen to explain how he'd been completely sidelined in what he called the consultative process.


Quoting the Roman emperors' (and generals') tradition of having slaves whisper 'you are a mere mortal' or words to that effect in their ears during moments of glory in particular, Nisar Ali Khan said he was perhaps the only one telling Nawaz Sharif: 'You are human, Mian Sahib'. Read the column here