Bharat Rakshak

Bajwa "Doctrine" : No Protests Will Be Allowed !!!

‘Engineered protests’ won’t be allowed, says army chief

ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa said on Thursday that “engineered protests” would not be allowed to reverse the gains of counterterrorism operations and cautioned the nation against forgetting sacrifices of “real heroes”.The army chief was speaking to notables in Peshawar and at an investiture ceremony at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. Bajwa should get ready for another Balochistan style uprising at the least or another East Pakistan style revolution at the worst - in FATA

Gen Bajwa did not name the social movement for the rights of Pakhtun people, Pakhtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), but it was abundantly clear from his remarks, which included references to PTM’s demands for clearance of mines and removal of check-posts, that he was referring to their protests. Raheel his predecessor , IMO believed in "brawn onlee" , while Bajwa, the "Thinking General" believes in brawn and (as well as what passes for) brain in Pakiland

Apparently, the army chief was forced into giving his position on the protests after leaders of some mainstream political parties, including Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan, expressed their support for the PTM protests that are being seen as a movement for the rights of Pakhtuns. The PTI chief had also said that he would raise the PTM concerns with Gen Bajwa. Why are the two politicos surprised. He had made this abundantly clear in his so-called Bajwa Doctrine !!!

Notwithstanding genuine problems of peaceful citizens, he maintained that military’s concern was that “no anti state agenda in the garb of engineered protests etc aimed at reversing the gains achieved at heavy cost in blood and national exchequer succeeds”.

At the ceremony at the GHQ, Gen Bajwa regretted that no sooner had peace returned to Fata than a “movement was started”.On this occasion, he warned against forgetting the sacrifices of “real heroes”, who laid down their lives for the country, saying nations that forget their heroes were wiped off. He also pointed to the “limited ability” of “our nation” to “remember history”.“The people in the country and outside, who are against Pakistan’s integrity must know that the Army with the public backing would not allow anything to happen to the country,” he added. For all practical purposes this ( suspected Qadiani) is the PM, President and COAS all rolled and packaged into one

Confirmation that Bajwa is more "deadly" than Raheel for Nawaz and all others !


Crypto Bible
‏ @Karachi_Post
6m6 minutes ago

Qamar Javed Bajwa turned out to be far more aggressive against civilian setup than even Raheel Sharif. Once again like Bhutto who misread Zia, Nawaz misread Bajwa with disastrous consequences. #Pakistan

kvraghav wrote:^^ But there is no support structures that go into the ground on either sides or in the center. How did they even expect this to stand?

You ask too many questions.Per the new "Bajwa Doctorni", a thousand stribes to you.

Good news for the believers (and the hard of hearing). Pakjabi shows its leadership skills, again.

Appeasing religious circles: Punjab promulgates ordinance allowing four loudspeakers at mosques

The Punjab government on Thursday promulgated the Punjab Sound Systems (Regulation) (Amendment) Ordinance, allowing four external sound systems (loudspeakers) at the places of worship (mosques) in the province.

amended the Punjab Sound Systems Regulation Act, 2015 that was a part of a set of five laws the Punjab government had introduced to curb extremism and terrorism as a part of the National Action Plan announced in the aftermath of the Peshawar Army Public School attack....This law had allowed just one loudspeaker in mosques

The number of loudspeakers had been increased while accepting the plea that the number does not matter when it comes to misusing the gadget.

The Punjab government had agreed to amend the law early this year to appease the religious circles greatly annoyed with the PML-N for the change of words of the oath of parliamentarians introduced by amending the Elections Reforms Act.

Butt, bhy phor?

Some quoted Ahadith (the Holy Prophet PBUH’s sayings) to demand that Azan should be called in all the four directions, which was not possible with one loudspeaker.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1401252/appea ... at-mosques

Nawaz, Tareen disqualified for life

The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that disqualification of lawmakers under Article 62(1) (f) of the Constitution disqualification is permanent.

Nawaz Sharif and Jahangir Khan Tareen were also disqualified under the same provision of the constitution.

According to the Supreme Court decision, the constitution declares a person disquieted for life who is not Sadiq and Ameen.

Article 62(1)(f) reads: "A person shall not be qualified to be elected or chosen as a member of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) unless ...he is sagacious, righteous and non-profligate, honest and ameen, there being no declaration to the contrary by a court of law."

AoA!

https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/30396 ... or-life-sc

Lured Back Into The Home Under False Pretenses, After She Escapes To Her Lover's Place , Family Then Kills Women In The Name Of Honour

Honour killing leaves woman dead in Jhelum

According to media reports, Shagufta, a resident of Jalalpur Sharif wished to marry a man named Hussain and upon her family’s refusal to do so, Shagufta had run away to Hussain’s house.

Soon, the relatives of the lady promised to allow her to tie the knot out of her own choice, following which she returned home.However, the family members of lady betrayed her and strangled her to death, calling her attitude against their ‘honour’. This is the common tactics used nowadays to get rid of a female family member, who does not to marry someone "selected" by her family, on her behalf, without consulting/informing or obtaining her consent . She is just treated like a piece of chattel !

anupmisra wrote:Nawaz, Tareen disqualified for life

Rest snipped ....

AoA!

https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/30396 ... or-life-sc

Anupmisra-ji :
IMO, Nawaz was the main target ! Tareen was just added in as an afterthought to make it look that the Paki Supreme Court is equally hard on PTI Party as well !

arun wrote:

Bart S wrote: So the ratio of 1 Bious Paki = 10 Kafir Indians remains intact.

Now the ratio has changed to "1 Bious Paki = 11 Kafir Indians"

In terms of ranking the Mohammadden Terrorism Fomenting Islamic Republic of Pakistan has slipped to 31.

The updated medal position at the CWG 2018 follows:


03. I N D I A : GOLD : 15 – SILVER : 08 - BRONZE : 10 - TOTAL : 33

31. TerrorIstan GOLD :00 – SILVER : 00 – BRONZE 03 – TOTAL : 03

Peregrine wrote:
Bart S Ji :
13

COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2018 - MEDAL TALLY

03 ----- I N D I A : GOLD : 17 - SILVER : 10 - BRONZE : 12 – TOTAL : 39

31- Terroristan : GOLD : 00 - SILVER : 00 - BRONZE : 03 – TOTAL : 03

Cheers

The Mohammadden Terrorism Fomenting Islamic Republic of Pakistan continues its inexorable progress no doubt because of gamechanger CPEC.

Now the ratio has changed to "1 Bious Paki = 14 Kafir Indians"

In terms of ranking the Mohammadden Terrorism Fomenting Islamic Republic of Pakistan remains at 31.

The updated medal position at the CWG 2018 follows:


03. I N D I A : GOLD : 17 – SILVER : 11 - BRONZE : 14 - TOTAL : 42

31. Terroristan : GOLD :00 – SILVER : 00 – BRONZE 03 – TOTAL : 03

The JOSH Brand Of Condom Jumps Into The Paki Pleasure Market With A Gusto

Josh releases TVC’s for promotion of purposeful intimate life

Besides claiming high quality imported brand, JOSH is all about the pleasure of life and living with your partner to the fullest. ( Halaal under Sharia, where the "act" is onlee allowed for procreation and nothing else ) JOSH promotes itself in a light-hearted and comical fashion which tells its audience to be purposeful even when embracing one’s most natural desires. ( "Evil western influences" are creeping into Islamic Pakistan in this stealth way )

Behind its positioning of bringing fun and pleasure to couples’ moments of intimacy, JOSH contributes to the noble cause of improving health and well-being of people of Pakistan through the cause of family planning and improved contraceptive prevalence rate. Lot of "buzz words" used to convey the "obvious message"

JOSH Bachat Pack is JOSH’s entrance in the low-priced, high penetration condom market, Can these "buzz words" be used in an Islamic environment targeted to low-income groups, especially catering to rural communities of Pakistan.

Recently new T.V commercial of Josh has been aired in which Mathira, the glittering and figure of Pakistan has been cast just like their previous ads. Some people think it is indecent and feel remorseful of watching it on T.V.

But wait! The intent of the ad is not frolic or selling of a product but is too aware the people about something that we all easily shy away from without realizing its significance, i-e contraception. The "soft sell" approach as compared to the hard core penetration strategy which will be haraam in an Malsi environment

Something that most people would protest against is what has I find most amusing about Josh’s ads, especially the series of Josh ads aired though out 2017-18, the way the ads smartly catch everyone’s attention. A little attention from people is all you need to make them think about contraception in Pakistan and Josh seems to be bagging that with flying colors. The two-step light comical series keeps you hooked till end, and for better or worse, it leaves a significant impression on viewer’s minds.

Frankly, she seems to be the only female artist in Pakistan who has the guts to do what no other artist has, i-e playing her part in the social cause. So clean up your thoughts to see a whole different side of the ads. Think out of the box, see the real insights of the Josh ad and feel free by showing your thoughts.

Here is MATHIRA pitching her wares to a urban Abdul at Isloo's Brand New Airport


PS: Note the "subliminal message" conveyed by the shaved head - and the Sharia Compliant Beard - of the Customs Afsar

PPS: Mathira will now just have to onlee "grease the palms" of this Customs Officer to be able to allow her to "penetrate" the JOSH BRAND in the Paki Condom Market

The Political Humiliation Of An Ex Prime Minister Of Pakistan Knows No Limits !!!

NAB Lahore summons Nawaz Sharif on April 21 to explain alleged misuse of authority

National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) Lahore Division on Friday summoned ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif to appear before it on April 21 and explain about the alleged misuse of authority during his second tenure as prime minister in 1999, DawnNewsTV reported. According to the NAB order, Nawaz Sharif and his brother — Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif — have been found guilty of constructing a road at government's expense for their personal benefit. There is no doubt that Ganja was 400% corrupt to the core. He has been disqualified for life ! Now , THIS on top of that earlier humiliation . It is like rubbing salt on someone's open wound

NAB alleged that on the directives of Nawaz Sharif, the width of the road leading to Jati Umra was broadened which increased the construction cost of the project.In addition to this, NAB alleged that in order to provide for the extra cost of the project many small projects of the District Council Lahore had to be shut down, causing massing inconvenience to the public. And nothing about the corruption of Kayani, Mush etc etc

Meanwhile, the accountability bureau has also summoned the son-in-law of Shahbaz Sharif in the case. So, almost the whole "Sharif Clan" has been caught in this "illegal road golmaal". And Mrs Sharif is cancer ridden in a London Private Hospital

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court ruled that disqualification handed down to Nawaz Sharif under Article 62 (1)(f) of the Constitution is for life. The so-called Sadeeq and Ameen clause

The decision, read out by Justice Umar Ata Bandial, stated that the disqualification of any member of parliament or a public servant under Article 62 (1)(f) in the future will be “permanent”. Such a person cannot contest elections or become a member of parliament

Peregrine wrote:

kvraghav wrote:^^ But there is no support structures that go into the ground on either sides or in the center. How did they even expect this to stand?

kvraghav JI:

Sialkoti Stress Calculations!

Cheers

They were counting on river water keeping the bridge afloat. But the conspiring Hindus shut down the water and destroyed their bridge.

That bridge is pakistan.

According To The Attached, The Most Likely Outcome, In That Fatal Accident Is The Expulsion Of The US Diplomat

Joseph Hall and the truth about diplomatic immunity
Friday Times, April 13, 2018

Pakistan is probably one of the countries where Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations are most often discussed and quite often the discourse is misinformed.

The issue once again became the center of public debate when an Islamabad-based US diplomat Colonel Joseph Emanuel Hall, working as defense and air attaché at the US Embassy, violated a traffic signal and hit a motorbike at an intersection in the federal capital resulting in the death of the rider Atiq Baig, 22, and injuries to Raheel, who was accompanying rider.

The diplomat was taken to a local police station, but later released after he claimed diplomatic immunity. The diplomat did enjoy immunity so we were mercifully spared the debate over whether or not he was entitled to it, but even then we had a range of stories from the diplomat’s attempt to flee the country being foiled by Islamabad Police, to a move for putting him on Exit Control List, and more lately an assertion that his immunity does not prevent a trial. Pakistan wants to assert itself with Massa !!

Much of this is happening not because people do not understand the concept of immunity provided by Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR), which is applicable in this particular case...

Dawn newspaper quoted a senior police official as saying, “A case was registered for the crime and there is therefore no doubt that a trial will be conducted. The diplomat has immunity regarding arrest and detention, but not against trial.”

That is in any case a very narrow view of VCDR. The immunities are listed in Articles 29 to 35 of VCDR and one of those Articles states that, “A diplomatic agent shall enjoy immunity from the criminal jurisdiction of the receiving State.” Criminal jurisdiction means the power of courts to hear a case brought by a state accusing a defendant of the commission of a crime. This immunity is absolute, except for the qualifications mentioned in Article 31 of VCDR.

Therefore, it would be wrong to suggest that the trial is set to start. It creates wrong expectations among the people. Pakistan has to respect the immunities enjoyed by the diplomats under the international law and ignoring them may complicate our external relations. Moreover, as the entire system of foreign relations is based on the principle of reciprocity any move violating the immunity may cause problems for our diplomats posted in other countries, if they were to fall in a similar situation. Ignorant Pakis. Baying for the Diplomat's head.

At the same time, it is also clear that immunity does not mean that the accused stands pardoned or exonerated and that he would not be held accountable for his actions – in this case violation of traffic rules resulting in death of a youngster. The immunity does not mean that the diplomats can disregard local laws.

In light of this situation, the senior police official quoted by the newspaper is correct. He has to adhere to police procedure and prepare a criminal case. But, from here onward the diplomatic exercise starts.

The Foreign Office would have to reach to the State Department through US Embassy in Islamabad and seek for waiver of the immunity enjoyed by the diplomat so that the charges could be brought up against him in the court of law. There is a complete procedure for seeking waiver described in VCDR and without getting that waiver, which must be explicit, the trial cannot start. The countries usually do not provide that waiver.

What ! Pakistan is a Major Non NATO al-lie of US . It is therefore "entitled" to a waiver!

Since the charges here are serious, Pakistan should press for waiver of immunity and US as a responsible state should allow the trial to proceed for the offense committed by the diplomat. US has diplomatically said eff off

It may not be enough for the US embassy to state that it “expresses its deep sympathy to the family of the deceased and those injured in a tragic traffic accident involving a U.S. Embassy vehicle on Saturday, April 7. Embassy officials are cooperating with local authorities who are investigating the accident”. Cooperating does not mean that they will agree to the Paki version of the accident !

Pakistan government has shown that resolve, but it remains to be seen to what extent it can insist on that. Battle of the wills? . Massa has got too many leavers it will pull to get their man out safe and sound !

Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua told US Ambassador David Hale, when he was summoned to the Foreign Office to receive the protest that, “Justice will take its course in accordance with the law of the land and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961”.

The Foreign Office should follow the precedent set by US in Amb Munir Akram case. Amb Munir Akram, during his tenure as permanent representative to the United Nations, was accused of assault in 2002/2003 and State Department sought waiver of his immunity so that the charges could be brought up against him. The charges were a month later dropped when the accuser recanted the allegations. Spouse/ girl friend beater

In case the US Embassy refuses to waive the immunity, Pakistan would then be rightful in expelling the diplomat to express its displeasure. Most likely outcome , and things will be back to "normal" ( whatever it means !)

UPDATE ON THE MARVI MEMON AND ISHAQ DAR RUMOURED LAISON AS PER FRIDAY TIMES GUP SHUP GOSSIP ! ( It is rumoured that Ganja's sister is the first wife of fraudster Dar !)

“Respect is everything”

Last week we told you that MM had been placated, after she gave vent to her anger at being “abandoned”. The issue at stake, according to MM, is that a nikah was solemnized about two years ago, with a member of The Man of Steel’s sanctum sanctorum, second time for both of them, with MM having been divorced many moons ago, while the gent has a first wife. This was known to MM, and whilst espousing women’s rights, she chose to be a willing second wife to a man with a spouse. MM claims that the nikah was kept secret for months, until the news leaked. Sources say that when her husband did not own up to the nikah, MM sent news of it to his family. Thereafter, it appeared to be a tussle for recognition according to MM, and as per sources, her pecuniary rights as a wife.The very same sources say that MM has been given her due, according to her husband and that upwards of Rs 120 million has been paid out. MM denies this, saying that she has received nothing more than “a simple necklace”.The matter has been complicated with partisans jumping into the fray on both sides. MM has sympathisers in the Premier’s circle, while her husband has his own group of defenders. The matter degenerated and came into the public domain when MM began tweeting her disgruntlement, leading to a fight with another woman minister and commentary on talk shows etc. The Premier is then said to have taken matters in hand, and went the extra mile to try and placate her, but his group is consistently of the opinion that she needs to get her due, before she lets up. The other party is adamant that they have met their pecuniary obligations and will do no more. MM believes that “respect is everything. Think of what’s goin (sic) on right now objectively”.

PS: It appears from the above that the "jilted" MM is angling for more Moolah from the "slippery" Dar , ensconced in Londonistan

If THIS ( Immy Depicted As A Hindu God ) Happened In India, Depicting PBUH Or Malsi, There Would Have Been Muslim Riots In India

Act against those who hurt Hindus' religious sentiments: Pakistan Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq to Interior Minister

Pakistan's National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has asked the interior ministry to crack down on any individual or groups involved in posting blasphemous material about the Hindu religion, after the minority community leaders protested against a wave of online hate speech hurting their religious sentiments.The directive came yesterday after a picture of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan depicted as a Hindu god was doing the rounds on social media.

The Speaker issued the directive following a protest by Hindu legislators who said that their religion was being smeared in a wave of hate speech online, the Dawn reported. The issue was raised by Ramesh Lal who presented an example of the blasphemous content, a picture of a Hindu deity with Imran's face, the report said. Such posts have deeply hurt the religious sentiments of more than four million Hindus living in Pakistan. The lawmaker said that such offences were covered by cyber laws and should not remain unpunished, it said. Hindus are commonly stereotyped in Pakistan as cunning, shrewd , money minded, small hearted willing to stab you in the back etc etc to rouse the Abduls !

He also directed the state minister to lodge a case against the culprits with the Federal Investigation Agency. Lal said he along with Malhi prepared a complaint letter which will be handed over to Chaudhry. He said that the social media campaign against the Hindu community had been going on for two weeks. Earlier in the house, PTI vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi said his party fully supported the Hindu community.

He alleged that such content was being generated by the social media wing of a political party.Commenting on the PTI allegation, Chaudhry said the government strongly condemned all such acts

Former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had in the past also taken up the issue of blasphemous content on Facebook and even asked the social networking websites to not allow such offensive posts. Tallal Chaudhry assured the house that his ministry would investigate the online attacks on the Hindu faith and seek out the culprits. Hindu legislators, if possible should not ally themselves with any Paki political party but fight for the rights of their own community

Falijee wrote: PPS: Mathira will now just have to onlee "grease the palms" of this Customs Officer to be able to allow her to "penetrate" the JOSH BRAND in the Paki Condom Market

No, Sir, She has to grease her own palm to do the needful!
Josh in Indian military means the enthusiasm to hammer the Paki every where. In Paki land it means something else altogether.
Gautam

X Posted on the PESW Thread

Govt to pay $3.3bn in debt servicing by June

ISLAMABAD: State Mini­ster for Finance and Revenue Rana Mohammad Afzal said on Thursday that his government has to pay back $3.3 billion on account of debt servicing by end June 2018.

Mr Rana was one of the speakers of a pre-budget seminar at the National Press Club. He was accompanied by former fina­nce secretary Dr Waqar Mas­ood Khan and former chai­rman Federal Board of Reve­nue Dr Mohammad Irshad.

“We have not defaulted on debt servicing in the last five years,” he said. The state minister, however, clarified that his government will borrow money from the market. He acknowleged that his government was facing the problems of rising budget deficit and falling reserves.

Mr Rana said that all these problems are the outcome of the government’s growth-foc­u­­sed strategy which will be maintained in the upcoming budget as well. No new taxes will be introduced in the bud­get and no ambitious tax target will be announced, he added.

He defended the tax amnesty scheme and hoped it will give window to those people who want to invest their money in Pakistan. He said government expects the amnesty scheme will encourage flows of money into the country which will help curtail the rising budget deficit.

Cheers

External sector: PML-N’s Achilles’ heel?

As general elections loom, a key part of the incumbent PML-N’s narrative is its ostensible success in reviving the economy since it took power in 2013. But this narrative is showing cracks, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently dealing a significant blow.

The IMF published the first ‘post-programme monitoring’ report last month. This is the process through which the IMF engages regularly with a country that has completed a programme, in order to assess its repayment capacity and overall economic position until loan repayments are completed.

The key message of the IMF report is that while the GDP growth momentum is likely to be maintained — it is expected to be 5.6% for the ongoing fiscal year — Pakistan’s debt sustainability in the medium term is deteriorating. The IMF’s projections regarding the external account released last month are much more negative compared to its own views in July 2017, which were relatively optimistic.

Balance of payments is the key concern

While in July last year the IMF projected foreign reserves by 2022 to be at $20.4 billion, that estimate has now been revised sharply downward to a much lower figure of $7.1 billion by 2023. According to the IMF, in the fiscal year 2018-19 Pakistan’s foreign reserves will be sufficient only for 1.8 months’ import cover, which is projected to drop to one month’s cover by 2023 (at least four months’ import cover is considered sustainable).

In fact, going by the IMF’s figures (which are based on the government’s data) the country’s net international reserves (what is left after accounting for short-term liabilities) for this fiscal year are actually negative $724 million. This has come about because since 2016, gross foreign reserves have declined by about $6 billion, while the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) short-term foreign liabilities have roughly doubled.

Consequently, the IMF has dramatically increased its prior estimates of Pakistan’s gross external financing needs over the next five-year period: $24.5 billion in 2018, increasing to $45 billion by 2023.

The IMF report also predicts a substantial rise in Pakistan’s foreign debt component in the next five-year period. From $93.4 billion in 2018, it has been projected to increase to $145 billion by 2023, an increase of 55%. This rate of increase would be much faster than that witnessed in recent years. The key drivers of this will be China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)-related debt to China, government borrowing to cover for inadequate domestic revenue mobilisation, and a rising trade deficit.

All of this suggests that the IMF considers risks to Pakistan’s external debt repayment capacity to have gone up significantly, since it expects foreign exchange inflows to be reduced even as liabilities increase over the next five years. In its report, it blames this imbalance on a persistently over-valued exchange rate over the last two years, low interest rates leading to higher domestic demand and imports, and loose fiscal policy leading to growing borrowing needs.

Government banking on CPEC

In its report, the IMF has noted the PML-N government’s divergent and more optimistic view about the economy’s future course. Authorities in Islamabad have acknowledged rising pressures on the balance of payments, but argue that CPEC-related investment in multiple sectors of the economy and bridging the electricity supply gap will generate enough growth to manage higher external debt in the medium term.

The government has also said that its recent measures of imposing higher import duties on a number of items, allowing exchange rate devaluation and increasing the interest rate will all contribute towards curtailing the current account deficit and mitigating external financing requirements projected by the IMF. However, the SBP’s government-sanctioned actions, since December 2017, of allowing the exchange rate to fall by about 10% and increasing the interest rate by 0.25%, are reactive measures with limited efficacy, taken once the authorities realised that the external account was under more pressure than they hoped.

Outlook

There are reasons to be skeptical of the government’s argument that current investments will sufficiently increase the economy’s capacity to handle higher foreign debt obligations, at least in the short term.

Firstly, pressure on the external account is likely to intensify in the current and next fiscal year. While exports have recovered somewhat this year, the sector’s international competitiveness remains low. Remittances are keeping steady but not showing significant growth. An uncertain global oil market and its impact on economies like Saudi Arabia — home to the largest Pakistani expatriate community in the Middle East — means that growth in remittances is unlikely to match the rising external financing needs in the coming years. And while CPEC investments will contribute to future growth, they will continue adding to Pakistan’s foreign debt component and import volumes as the initiative gathers pace in the coming years.

Second, it is certain that in line with the IMF’s view, Pakistan’s external financing requirements over the next five years will rise substantially. Thus, it is highly likely that we will increase our borrowing from international capital markets. However, raising further debt in this way in a cost-effective manner is likely to become more challenging for two reasons. First, after the US Fed’s decision in March to raise interest rates by 0.25% and its intention to raise the rates further during 2018, global credit markets for countries like Pakistan will become tighter. Second, Pakistan’s worsening balance-of-payments position automatically pushes up its sovereign debt risk profile, in turn raising the risk premium future foreign creditors will demand.

Lastly, growth is at risk from deteriorating fundamentals. Despite downplaying the IMF’s concerns in the March report, the PML-N government is undoubtedly cognisant of the challenges. Thus, it is not surprising to note news reports that Islamabad has submitted different proposals to China and Saudi Arabia for bilateral financial assistance. These efforts notwithstanding, risks to macroeconomic stability are likely to persist and even grow in the medium term.

Domestic demand is likely to stay strong in the current fiscal year as well as fiscal year 2018-19. However, growth could slow down if the next government is forced to undertake a relatively large devaluation or increase interest rates significantly in response to mounting external account pressures. While we are not there yet, economic policymakers will need to make some hard choices in the coming months.

Cheers

https://www.dawn.com/news/1401153/sc-ba ... permission
SC bars govt from privatising PIA without its permission

Suomoto happy CJP wades into the PIA muck. Guess Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar has a few Airbuses to sell. Any takers?

arun wrote:

arun wrote:

Now the ratio has changed to "1 Bious Paki = 11 Kafir Indians"

In terms of ranking the Mohammadden Terrorism Fomenting Islamic Republic of Pakistan has slipped to 31.

The updated medal position at the CWG 2018 follows:


03. I N D I A : GOLD : 15 – SILVER : 08 - BRONZE : 10 - TOTAL : 33

31. TerrorIstan GOLD :00 – SILVER : 00 – BRONZE 03 – TOTAL : 03

Peregrine wrote:
Bart S Ji :
13

COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2018 - MEDAL TALLY

03 ----- I N D I A : GOLD : 17 - SILVER : 10 - BRONZE : 12 – TOTAL : 39

31- Terroristan : GOLD : 00 - SILVER : 00 - BRONZE : 03 – TOTAL : 03

Cheers

The Mohammadden Terrorism Fomenting Islamic Republic of Pakistan continues its inexorable progress no doubt because of gamechanger CPEC.

Now the ratio has changed to "1 Bious Paki = 14 Kafir Indians"

In terms of ranking the Mohammadden Terrorism Fomenting Islamic Republic of Pakistan remains at 31.

The updated medal position at the CWG 2018 follows:


03. I N D I A : GOLD : 17 – SILVER : 11 - BRONZE : 14 - TOTAL : 42

31. Terroristan : GOLD :00 – SILVER : 00 – BRONZE 03 – TOTAL : 03

Blasphemy! Jeehard!! No sir, I will not accept this equalizing of SDRE Gold with TFTA Bronze.

One prefers the exponential weighting system of 4:2:1 wherein India's total becomes 17*4+11*2+14 = 104 vs 3 for a ratio of > 34.

Stunned by the elegant demonstration of Sialkoti Statistics and Madrassah Maths.

Javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem from the Mohammadden Terrorism Fomenting Islamic Republic of Pakistan says “I will try to win a gold medal tomorrow”:

Javelin thrower Arshad into finals, seeks gold

However in the end, wishes did not turn out to be horses and beggars did not get to ride. The Gold medal for Javelin went to our countryman Neeraj Chopra and the Pakistani not only wound up with no medal but finished three places behind our countryman Vipin Kashana who finished 5th:

2018 Commonwealth Games: Neeraj Chopra wins gold in men’s javelin throw

Wrong Post!

Cheers

Dead mill walking

WHEN we oppose a policy, we should be able to propose a rational alternative. So what options are the PPP and the PTI suggesting when they reject the planned privatisation of the state-owned PIA and Pakistan Steel Mills?

More of the same, I’m afraid: end the corruption; improve efficiency; and bring in professional management. This is like saying a corpse can be revived on a better diet and more exercise. And sadly, PSM is a dead mill walking, having stopped production three years ago when gas supplies were shut off due to non-payment of dues.

Its accumulated losses are approaching Rs200 billion, and it has to beg the government for periodic bailouts to pay staff who have no work. Just to restart the steel mill would be an enormously expensive affair. And after the Supreme Court blocked privatisation over a decade ago, it is doubtful there would be any buyers now.

Even if the PSM had been efficiently and honestly run, it could not have been profitable due to inherent design issues. The Soviet technology was outdated, but more importantly, while the infrastructure created for the mills was for an annual output of 2.2 million tons, the initial investment built production facilities for 1.1m tons. COMMENTS : 1. BHILAI STELL PLANT - SAME DESIGN AS THE PAKISTAN STEEL MILLS! CONTRACT SIGNED March 1955 - Production Started : February 1959 Initial Design 1.1 Million Tonnes. Present Production Five Million Tonnes. 2. PAKISTAN STEEL MILLS : Contract Signed - January 1969. Capacity 1.1 Million Tonnes. Commenced Production : August 1981. CEASED PRODUCTION : 2013 - 2016!

This meant that instead of being spread over 2.2m tons, infrastructure and manpower costs were charged to half this production, raising the price per ton well over the international rate. The original concept was that after a few years, production facilities would be doubled; unfortunately, that day never came as the government could not spare the funds, and the PSM continued to produce steel at a high cost.

Also, the management was forced to create the infrastructure for the country’s largest state manufacturing enterprise: apart from 19,000 acres of land, water and electricity had to be provided, roads and a housing colony built, and a fleet of transport had to be run and maintained.

If I sound knowledgeable, it’s because my last job as a civil servant before I took early retirement in 1997 was finance director of the Steel Mills. I joined when the PSM was going through a deep crisis: Usman Farooqi, the previous chairman, had been accused of massive corruption, and I had to conduct a number of unpleasant inquiries together with doing my job.

The economy was in a slump, and there were few buyers for our products; and finding the cash to pay for our immediate requirements was a constant challenge. More depressing was the thought that no matter how hard we worked, the PSM would never be a profitable enterprise without a substantial infusion of capital — something that would only happen with privatisation.

With PIA, my insights are only those of a regular passenger: over the years, I have experienced the national carrier’s decline in terms of service and punctuality. Currently, its accumulated losses stand at around Rs350bn, and its ongoing facelift is hardly going to turn the airline around.

One problem has been the tendency to appoint retired air force officers to run PIA. While they might have been excellent combat pilots, this did not necessarily qualify them to run a commercial operation. In an official capacity, I once called on a freshly appointed chairman, and found his office in semi-darkness. I asked him if his head office had been hit with load-shedding, and he replied that he always turned off half the lights as an economy measure. I’m glad he didn’t order PIA’s Boeings to fly on two engines.

But even CEOs from the private sector haven’t managed to improve matters noticeably. The reality is that the airline falls under the control of the defence ministry, and major decisions have to be approved by a heavy layer of bureaucracy. This is seldom a formula for efficient management.

Given the massive accumulated losses, and the inbuilt inefficiencies and constraints both white elephants struggle under, how do the PTI and PPP expect to make them profitable? In the past, all political parties in power managed to get their supporters jobs in these and other state enterprises. And once in, these political appointees were very hard to remove.

What keeps these zombies going are massive doses of loans and subsidies. In effect, banks that should be lending to healthy organisations are forced to funnel funds to these deadbeats, and taxes that should be financing development are channelled into providing liquidity to loss-making enterprises.

Politicians who argue against privatisation need to spell out specific proposals instead of voicing pious, simplistic ideas. Clearly, they are aiming to gain the votes of employees who fear redundancy and unemployment.

But why should taxpayers be forced to underwrite inefficiently run state entities that have no hope of producing a profit? The vast majority of Pakistanis have never used PIA, so why should they end up footing the bill? Being populist is not enough: politicians also have to be rational.

Cheers

13:30 Hours IST - In one Fell Swoop Terroristan Reduces the “Ratio” with INDIA to 12.5

03. I N D I A : GOLD : 22 – SILVER : 13 - BRONZE : 15 - TOTAL : 50

35. TerrorIstan GOLD :00 – SILVER : 00 – BRONZE 04 – TOTAL : 04

Cheers

arun wrote:Javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem from the Mohammadden Terrorism Fomenting Islamic Republic of Pakistan says “I will try to win a gold medal tomorrow”:

Javelin thrower Arshad into finals, seeks gold

However in the end, wishes did not turn out to be horses and beggars did not get to ride. The Gold medal for Javelin went to our countryman Neeraj Chopra and the Pakistani not only wound up with no medal but finished three places behind our countryman Vipin Kashana who finished 5th:

2018 Commonwealth Games: Neeraj Chopra wins gold in men’s javelin throw

Maybe the regulation sharia compliant four marriages with dowry may possibly get this guy the gold he so desperately seeks.

may his beard grow long and bushy.

Raheel 'not so' Sharif dancing to tunes of bollywood song

WATCH: Video shows Pakistan's former Army Chief dancing to the tunes of Bollywood song Bachna ae haseeno
Updated: Apr 11, 2018 | 21:29 IST | Source - Times Now Digital

http://www.timesnownews.com/the-buzz/ar ... eno/216378

According to reports, the video has been shot at Sharif's son Umar Raheel's wedding. The approximately one-minute footage shows Sharif, wearing a black blazer and a yellow stole dancing to the tunes of the latest version of the iconic Bollywood number sung by legendary singer Kishore Kumar. In the video, Sharif is seen dancing to the tunes of the Ranbir Kapoor number.

X Posted on the Indian IT Industry Thread. Posted on this Thread - For the Benefit of Paklurkers

ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ANNUAL REPORTS : 2017-2018

4.5.1 Overall IT-ITeS Performance Page 95

The IT-ITeS industry revenue aggregate (Exports + Domestic) is expected to grow over 7 percent and reach US $151.5 billion in FY 2017-18 as compared to US $140 billion in FY2016-17. The IT-ITeS industry revenue trend over the past 5 years is depicted below.

4.5.2 Exports Revenue Page 96

IT-BPM exports are projected to reach US$ 125 billion showing a 7 percent Y-o-Y growth. Engineering Research and Development(ER&D), digital projects and embedded solutions, product engineering and new technologies are key growth drivers. The IT- ITeS industry export trend over the past 5 years covering IT Services, ITeS/ BPO, Engineering R&D and Product Development segments is depicted below.

USA, UK and EU account for 90% of the total IT-ITES exports, however, there are new challenges surfacing in these traditional geographies. Demand from Asia Pacific(APAC), Latin America and Middle East Asia is growing and new opportunities are emerging for expanding in continental Europe, Japan, China and Africa.

4.5.3 Domestic Revenue Page 97

The size of the domestic market is becoming significant now in the IT-ITeS sector, though it largely remains export driven. In FY 2017-18, the domestic market (excluding e-Commerce and hardware) is expected to grow 10 percent Y-o-Y to reach US $ 26.5 billion. The Government initiatives such as Digital India, Start-up India, Smart Cities, and Digital Payments are catalysing growth in this segment. The domestic revenue trend over the past 5 years covering IT Services, ITeS/ BPO, Engineering R&D and Product Development segments is depicted below.

Cheers

habal wrote:Pakistan's former Army Chief dancing to the tunes of Bollywood song Bachna ae haseeno

So bhat. Mush moved his tush to Dilli wali girlfriend. See hiyar! Deep down, baki jernails are all aashiqs (Roman Ticks).

Peregrine wrote:IT-BPM exports are projected to reach US$ 125 billion showing a 7 percent Y-o-Y growth.

Sialkoti khush hua!!

If a muhajir of MQM or Altaf persuasion attempted to dance to Indian song, he would immidiately be called Indian agent.

But the paki jernail have no such problem. hain jee

Link FYI: https://www.dawn.com/news/1401506

Peregrine wrote:Dead mill walking
...
The original concept was that after a few years, production facilities would be doubled; unfortunately, that day never came as the government could not spare the funds, and the PSM continued to produce steel at a high cost.

Why is this surprising? It was stated government policy to eat grass in order to produce nukes. We know where the money went and what the priorities where. <edited: didn't realize Irfan Hussain was the article author; he has done his bit to expose the military deep state>

Peregrine wrote: ...
I asked him if his head office had been hit with load-shedding, and he replied that he always turned off half the lights as an economy measure. I’m glad he didn’t order PIA’s Boeings to fly on two engines.

Huh? Most of PIA's Boeings in service during the past decades were two-engined.

Results for Today 14-04-2018

03. I N D I A : GOLD : 25 – SILVER : 16 - BRONZE : 18- TOTAL : 59

22. TerrorIstan GOLD :01 – SILVER : 00 – BRONZE 04 – TOTAL : 05

FYI : FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF THE Indian and Pakistanis in 2014 :

05 – I N D I A : GOLD : 15 – SILVER : 30 – BRONZE : 19 - TOTAL : 64

22 – Pakistan : GOLD : 00 – SILVER : 03 – BRONZE : 01 - TOTAL : 04

Cheers

Raheel Asks Bajwa And Abbasi To Dash To Saudia On His Behalf

PM Abbasi, COAS Gen Bajwa dash to Saudi Arabia for inspecting military drills of Islamic Military Alliance

ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and the Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa will visit Saudi Arabia today on a day-long trip, where they will inspect the exercises of the 41-country Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC).According to media reports, the civil-military bigwigs will also hold an important meeting with the custodian of two holy mosques King Salman bin Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman. Raheel is currently on holidays from the Land Of The Sand . So, it makes sense for him to "order" Bajwa to stand -in on his behalf, for Echendee/ protocol purposes. After all, you do not want to "annoy" the ultra sensitive Salman and MBS, who may decide to cut off the oil dollar pipeline to Pakiland, leaving their economy high and dry

Defence Minister Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan will be the lone minister who has been made part of the crucial entourage. The civil and military chiefs are visiting Saudi Arabia for the first time after Pakistan dispatched troops to the Holy Kingdom to train Saudi military forces, two months ago. This may also be a "good time" to "remind" them of their "earlier promises" to "redeem/ help " the Paki Economy. You see, Ramazan/ Ramadhan is around the corner , and during the "Holy Month" , work productivity in Saudia drops to zero, so it is now or never

They will also discuss matters relating to recent missile attacks from Yemen’s Houthi rebels against Saudia Arabia. Is that not Raheel's responsibility

Prime Minister Abbasi and General Bajwa will also discuss the regional security situation and matters pertaining to developments in the Islamic world, especially the middle east.The situation in Syria will also come up for deliberations during the meetings, in the backdrop of attacks by US-led western alliance. IMO, Saudi mischief,- in the gas atack - through their ISIS proxies cannot be absolutely ruled out !

It is worth mentioning that Saturday’s tour is the fourth visit of PM abbasi to Saudia Arabia since he assumed office, after the ouster of Nawaz Sharif in Panama Papers scandal by Supreme court. He also serves as an "errand boy" of behalf of the Deep State

Moreover, the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) is a willing coalition of 41 countries sans Iran that forms a pan-Islamic unified front in the global fight against terrorism and violent extremism. Pakistan's pretense as an neutral party in the Sunni - Shia tiff is hollow . Iran does not "buy" that . The IMCTC is led by former Pakistani military chief General (r) Raheel Sharif who is currently in Lahore to attend the wedding ceremony of his son.

And has been shown to be having a "good time" there , dancing to Indian film songs

^^if you see from paki perspective, the ratio of india to paki medals was 16 in 2014, now it is close to 12. They have progressed faster than India, and now 1 paki mardemomin=12 Indian hindu baniya. Anyways they CWG are saazish of scottland yard, RAAAW and mossad

ArjunPandit wrote:^^if you see from paki perspective, the ratio of india to paki medals was 16 in 2014, now it is close to 12. They have progressed faster than India, and now 1 paki mardemomin=12 Indian hindu baniya. Anyways they CWG are saazish of scotland yard, RAAAW and mossadMI-5, MI-6 and ASIS

There. Corrected it.

Corrupt Paki Officials Cheat British Taxpayers Under Benazir Income Support Programme ( BISP)

Corruption detected in BISP: Monetary assistance to 125,000 women halted

ISLAMABAD – The government has halted monetary assistance to 125,000 women after millions of rupees corruption unearthed in the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), ( would not be surprised if Dus Percenti's henchmen were involved in this gol-maal !) sources said on Friday. The BISP was launched by the PPP government in 2008 to provide monetary assistance to the needy women throughout the country to run their domestic affairs.During door-to-door checking, it was revealed that over 55,000 fake women in Sindh, 44,000 in Punjab, 16,000 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and 6,000 fake women in Baluchistan had been received monetary assistance under the BISP. Following the corruption allegations, a departmental inquiry has been initiated against 69 officials of the BISP programme

According to details issued by the interior ministry on Friday, over 5.2 million deserving women from all four provinces, AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan were compensated Rs466 billion (Rs466 Arab) in the past five years, reports Online News Agency.

After a fake identity card was identified by BISP office in the federal capital in 2014, the case management system halted monetary assistance to over hundred thousand women in February 2015. The eliminate corruption from the BISP; an agreement was signed with the national database and regularity authority (NADRA). Damage control after the damage was done

Under the accord, the Nadra launched a special application form to clear the dubious women from the list. Under the reconfirmation process, 563,000 women appeared deserving while the remaining 125,714 were only present in the record.The record also revealed that 1,660 women in AJK and 1,050 in Gilgit-Baltistan were appeared bogus.-Online. Conveniently left out of this (above) alarming news is that this Program mainly depends on charitable assistance by British taxpayers, who are funding the supposedly beneficial program for poor Pakistani women. The British Media needs to publicize this corruption and the hand of Paki Lobby in UK

Plan For Chinification Of Pakistan Railway System Announced

China to overhaul Pakistan's colonial era Railways System with billions of dollars: Report
April 14, 2018

BEIJING - China to help upgrade Pakistan’s train network to overhaul its colonial-era rail infrastructure.

Beijing is set to upgrade a 1,163-miles track from Karachi to Peshawar near the Afghan border with an $8 billion loan to Pakistan. It’s part of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road trade initiative, which includes $60 billion of badly-needed works financed in Pakistan.Pakistan’s interior minister Ahsan Iqbal said in a statement on Wednesday that the first phase of the work would start this year. Other reports in the past have suggested that China also wants to extend the Paki Railway System right upto Khunjerab Pass , near the Pakistan-China border . It is going to be "challenge at the least" !

In the past decade, the nation’s rail network had become a byword for corruption, delays and filth. Now the unprofitable state-owned Pakistan Railways has doubled its revenue to Rs 40.1 billion ($362 million) in the past five years and aims to do so again over the same time period, Parveen Agha, secretary of Pakistan Railways , said in an interview in Islamabad. “This is one of the biggest opportunities for us,” Agha said. “This is the upgradation of the entire railway system.” If and when all these projects are done ( with Chinese financial and technical assistance ) Pakistan will be an "independent country" in name only

To help ease increasing congestion in Pakistan’s second-largest city, a $1.6 billion metro-line in Lahore — funded by Chinese banks — is scheduled to open before this year’s vote. In total, Islamabad says it has rehabilitated more than 300 locomotives, over 1,000 passenger coaches, nearly 5,000 freight wagons and 31 stations. Pakistan also purchased 75 high-powered locomotives last year in a $413.5 million deal with General Electric Co. Will this deal go through under the present situation . The drive is already attracting more passengers, up 25% to over 52 million people since 2013. Working through the carriages, 40-year-old Rana Iftikhar Ahmad has been selling snacks on trains for last 15 years and said his sales have grown as much as 50% in recent years. Five years ago a train from Karachi would take four days to get to Lahore, he said. That same route now takes just over half-a-day on the Green Line.

Paki Authorities Increase Pressure On Geo TV

Geo team stopped from covering event in Cantt limits

LAHORE - Rangers’ personnel on Thursday stopped Geo News channel’s team from covering the arrival of Sikh Yatrees from India at the Wagah Border, saying they were not allowed to cover any event in the cantonment limits. As per details, Geo News’ reporter Ameen Hafeez and his cameraman Ashraf Nankanvi were stopped at the Wagah Border entry point despite having a valid authorization to cover the event from the Press Information Department, Lahore.Narrating the incident, Amin Hafeez told The Nation that Rangers’ personnel deployed at Wagah Border stopped him from covering the arrival of Sikh Yatrees, saying that any sort of coverage by the Geo News channel was not allowed in the cantonment areas. So, there is a well coordinated plan to shut down Geo TV, starting from preventing it from recording news events to preventing cable operators to air the channel on TV !

“Our name was included in the PID’s list of reporters and cameramen, but the Rangers insisted our channel had no permission to cover the event. As we left back, Rangers followed us in their official vehicle till we were out of their jurisdiction,” Hafeez further stated.

In a related incident, Geo News reporter Zeeshan Bakhsh was asked to leave the venue as he along with his cameraman reached Link Sarwar Road to cover the press conference of Pir of Pagaro, Sibghatullah Rashdi and eight dissident MNAs belonging to the PML-N.

“A man in civvies entered the venue before start of the press conference and asked about the Geo News reporter. “I introduced myself to the man who asked me to leave immediately as GEO News had no permission to cover any event within the cantonment limits. When we were preparing to leave, they forced us to sit in the army jeep waiting for us outside the venue. The army men in uniform dropped us after crossing the army checkpost at Fortress Stadium,” Zeeshan narrated the tale of Geo teams’ expulsion from the cantonment area. So, obviously the fauj is involved in these shenanigans !

ONE MORE EXAMPLE OF PRESS CENSORSHIP . AND PUTTING THE LID ON THE PTM MOVEMENT !

Habib University Karachi forced to cancel this event at the last minute by army officials. @aliarqam @rafiullahkakar #PashtunTahaffuzMovement

How the Pak ‘deep state’ wants to cut Nawaz Sharif down to size
Shushant Sareen
(Published before Supreme Court Verdict : Nawaz Sharif "disqualified for life " from Paki Politics !)

Despite being badly wounded and pushed into a corner, the tiger (election symbol of Nawaz Sharif’s party and his own image among his followers) hasn’t stopped roaring. But while the tiger remains a formidable adversary and isn't showing any signs of throwing in the towel in the face of overwhelming odds, he is undeniably in trouble.

Given the forces arraigned against him – the military, judiciary, most of the media or at least the section that tows the line of the ‘deep state’, and of course opposition parties, most of which have either struck deals, or are working under instructions, or even trying to desperately suck up and win the affections of the ‘deep state’ – the prospects for Nawaz Sharif’s party in the forthcoming General Elections don’t look very bright. Not only history but also current political realities are heavily loaded against Nawaz Sharif and his party.

Historically, while there have been instances of political parties retaining a province in successive elections, no political party has ever won two elections in a row to retain the federal government – the only one instance of this happening was when the Pakistan Peoples Party won the 1977 elections, but that doesn’t count because no one accepted the results and it, ultimately, led to a military coup by Gen Ziaul Haq. Also, neither the person nor the party which has been deposed from office either by dismissal, disqualification or dictatorship is ever allowed to win the election that follows their ouster.

When Benazir Bhutto was sacked in 1990, it was a given that she wouldn’t be allowed to win the election that followed. The same happened after Nawaz Sharif was dismissed in 1993 and later when Benazir Bhutto was dismissed for the second time in 1996. After all, the whole idea of ousting a Prime Minister from office will be defeated if he/she is allowed to come back into office through the back door.

An election victory in Pakistan that goes against the wishes of the ‘deep state’ is akin to the back door.

The connotation of ‘free and fair’ elections in Pakistan is quite different from what it is in rest of the world. In Pakistan, elections are either fair or free; sometimes they are fair up to a point after which they become free (to rig or tilt in the desired direction by the ‘deep state’). What terrifies the uniformed guardians of Pakistan about genuinely free and fair elections are the nasty surprises they throw up, which are completely contrary to their expectations and calculations. After the 1970 elections, which paved the way for the break-up of the country, the Pakistan army has never been comfortable with the traditional definition of ‘free and fair’ elections. Because, due to their nature, they want an "Army to have a State" and not the other way around, "State to have an Army " which is normal !

Every single election since then has been mired in controversy and allegations of rigging and even altering declared results. Sometimes the interference in elections is blatant, but, generally, it is discreet, even though the menacing shadow of the ‘deep state’ and its ‘agencies’ looms large over the entire electoral process. It is going to be the case this time also !

Often enough, the ‘election managers’ from the dirty tricks department of the ‘agencies’ overplay their hand and the tilt becomes a wave, and leaves in its wake unintended consequences – the 1997 elections that swept Nawaz Sharif back into power are an example. Nawaz was a creature of the ISI in the first place. ! But now he has grown bigger than his boots, which is not allowed by the Deep State !

Rumours, fake news, insinuations, disinformation and misinformation are being constantly floated and aired to try and drive a wedge between Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif (who is now the president of the party). After Nawaz was disqualified as both PM and President of the party, an attempt was made to replace him with Shahbaz, who is generally seen as being more pliable, obedient, subservient to the military. But for a variety of reasons, Shahbaz didn’t bite. At one time, Mush suggested to "Abbaji", the scion of the Nawaz Clan, that it would be better if younger and cleverer Shahbaaz should be "in the saddle", instead of Ganja, Abbaji shot the idea down

Suddenly some old and some relatively new cases have been opened up against him. There is sword hanging over Shahbaz’s head if he refuses to play ball. The problem is that if Shahbaz goes against Nawaz, the party will split, as will the vote bank, and both will lose. Therefore, until the elections, there is a compulsion for the brothers to stick together because they have both realised that they can either swim together or sink together. Any tussle for power will only happen after the results are in. With the brothers deciding to stick together, for now the plan has shifted to trying to engineer high-profile defections from the party that leave it gasping for breath and unsettle it. With the now Supreme Court verdict, the fate of the Ganja Party and of Shahbaaz is now very uncertain !

Another effort of the ‘deep state’ has been to cut into Nawaz Sharif’s vote bank. The emergence of the Lashkar-e-Taiba political front, Milli Muslim League (MML), and the Barelvi extremist party, Tehrik-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), are believed to be trojans of the ‘deep state’ which will draw some of the traditional vote that went to PMLN. The general belief was that since the next elections are likely to be closely contested, if MML and TLP can take away 10-15 thousand votes of PMLN, then it will give a leg up to Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf, which is the only credible challenger to PMLN in Punjab – the PPP is virtually dead in Punjab, and its state is even worse than that of Congress party in UP and Bihar.

The problem, however, is that in the by-elections, while the MML and TLP managed to get around 10-15000 votes, they don’t seem to have cut into the PMLN vote bank. In other words, the impact of these parties on PMLN’s support base has so far been minimal. If anything, it would appear that they are eating into the votes of PTI and/or other smaller players.The main political challenge to Nawaz Sharif will be from the cricketer-turned-politician, Imran Khan. But the guy is just too flaky in his thinking. Worse, he is boring, repetitive, abusive and obnoxious, with no real plan on how to deliver what he is promising. His own aides have admitted that he is clueless on working out details of everything he promises. Over the past few months, the compromises that Imran Khan has made in terms of people with very unsavoury and dubious reputations being inducted in the party, has robbed him of some of his lustre.

An there is the added factor of his marriage to the Peerni, which in the eyes of the Deep State , is not a good omen, in terms of "controlling Imran"

The most likely outcome, provided Nawaz Sharif is able to stay in the fray, is that the PMLN could emerge as the single-largest party with around 90-100 seats, Imran Khan could be second with around 60 odd seats, PPP third with around 30-40 seats and the rest divided among other political players. This sort of outcome will suit the ‘deep state’ because a divided National Assembly is so much easier to control. Of course, what such a divided House does to governance is quite another matter. Not relevant now , unless the Ganja Party is "allowed" to rally under the banner of Shahbaaz !

WhetherNawaz Sharif wins big, ends up as single largest party or even comes second, the post-election political scenario is unlikely to bring even a modicum of stability. Which is why sceptics wonder if elections will be held at all.