The Grapevine May 2014

After the disqualification of the winning candidate for NA-89 (Sheikh Muhammad Akram) and the notification of SSP/ASWJ (both banned organisations) chief Ahmed Ludhianvi, the social media was abuzz about the incident being a consequence of the gift of US $1.5 billion by a “friendly” nation. Maybe it was making a connection where there wasn’t one. Maybe it wasn’t mere coincidence. In any case, the gossip was scuttled when the Supreme Court overturned said notification.

A couple of days before the PPP co-chairperson visited the PM house, the latter residence had had another high-profile visitor: the army chief. Now the military boss is expected to have quite a security detail but not so much at the PM house, which is filled with security for, oh, the head of the elected government of the republic. But it wasn’t good enough for the general and his retinue had some of the officials in the complex moved out. So much so, that it had appeared the faujis had laid siege to the place. This was interpreted as a signal. While the apex coterie in the League was fretting, news of this development got through to the PPP boss and he decided to fly in as a message of solidarity.

Now, one to cause sleepless nights. The militants, we hear on the gossip circuits, have come to acquire chemical weapons. If the whispers are to be believed, when some of the country’s favourite exports were coming back from Syria, they brought with them knowledge of this macabre science. Ironically, if one were to put these guys in a chemistry class….

Imran after his meeting with Nawaz when the latter visited his palace at Bani Gala issued very friendly statements in favour of PML-N government and its efforts on bringing peace in the country through talks with the Taliban. These unusual words of praise by Khan for the government were in fact thanks by him to the premier for saving him from a great trouble being brought for the former cricketer by a business tycoon (having proximity with the Sharifs) and one of his female relatives.