Although the two Sharifs — Nawaz and Raheel — seem to have defused what barely a week ago looked an ominous situation, the crisis is far from being over. The issue of former President Pervez Musharraf, that also in a way involves the judiciary, has given a new twist to the political drama in Pakistan.

An apparently terse statement issued by Army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif, had sent ripples in government ranks and turned the public suspicious about the future of democracy in the country.

The situation triggered mainly due to hawkish and somewhat silly statements by two ministers, Khawaja Asif and Khawaja Saad Rafiq, had put the premier in a tight spot. The two holding important portfolios of defense and railways respectively, had called for awarding death sentence to the former president and ex-army chief.

What they forgot was that Musharraf had led the army well and still has considerable following in the ranks and file of the armed forces. Such statements from ministers of a government still in its infancy and struggling with economic difficulties were uncalled for.

In a bid to calm the situation, the premier reportedly warned his men to exercise caution but to no avail. It was only then that the current army chief issued a stern warning making it clear that his institution would do everything to protect its reputation.

Information Minister Pervez Rashid added fuel to the fire stressing that army and all other institutions were subservient to the Constitution of the country, and those condescended by the dictatorship, should “find new jobs for themselves.”

Interestingly, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar openly snubbed his Cabinet colleagues. He admitted that the statements that had created bitterness between the army and the civilian leadership were uncalled for. This was a wise move on part of Nisar that helped defuse the tensions.

Sharif, from the beginning, had kept the army on board on all sensitive issues and obviously was seething with anger over the statements from two of his Cabinet colleagues.

However, as the situation improved the Supreme Court jumped in, introducing a new element into the gruesome episode. Its Chief Justice Tasadduq Hussain Jilani, in a court reference, made it abundantly plain that the courts will perform their duties and will “not allow anyone to interfere with democracy,” which the nation has earned after a prolonged struggle against dictatorship and military rule.

“None can stop us from doing our duty if public rights are jeopardized,” he said in an obvious reference to the fears of any future military takeover.

Despite judicial orders, the army asserted itself effectively and prevented Musharraf from going to jail. Musharraf trial continued in the special tribunal, despite pressure from the army, and now his lawyers have taken the position that all those involved in imposing emergency in November 2007, should also be booked. Musharraf should not be tried in isolation.

Sharif, the premier, needs to tread the path very cautiously. Any mistake will have an adverse effect on the nation’s march toward democracy.