The Grapevine July 2014

It was rumoured that Nawaz Sharif was taking a step back from being the public face, and object of public scrutiny, of the PML-N government by stepping down to be replaced by Shahbaz as PM. But this TuQ fiasco and Khadm-e-Aala\’s handpicked police firing on PAT workers has put that out of the question. Tough luck for Shahbaz, who might have to wait another decade if the rumours about the army\’s unhappiness with his party are true.

There is more trouble in PTI’s K-P paradise, after many months of CM Khattak and party chairman Imran Khan exchanging sour words, it is now rumoured that Khan wanted some of his provincial ministers to resign over the pending ECP cases, CM Khattak however refused and suggested that maybe the party\’s federal ministers should put their money where their mouth is. Ouch.

Rumour has it that the USA, NATO forces and Pak\’s military establishment have broken the long standing ice over convoys and terrorist networks and drones. The military is receiving technical and surveillance assistance in the Waziristan operation. Assurities are also coming viz the Pak-Afghan border that these terrorists won\’t find refuge across the border. Circumstance can make friends out of anyone it seems.

Sheikh Rasheed is on the lookout for a new political party to throw his weighty, no pun intended, support into. His latest stint with the PTI isn\’t working out too well, sources say party workers and ticket holders are irritated by a man who brought practically no seats to the party, offering advice and attending core meetings. That\’s why Sheikh Saahb has shown interest in TuQ and PAT. But maybe he\’s just better as an independent after all, his own parties are the best parties.