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Blunders & Goof-Ups of Nawaz Sharif in his THIRD tenure so far (2013 – 2015)

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Blunders  of Nawaz Sharif in his THIRD tenure so far (2013 – 2015)

This is Nawaz Shareef’s third tenure as a Prime Minister of Pakistan and look like he has gained very little in respect to the political maturity, international affairs awareness and leadership vision. In this short blogs i will try to highlight few of his biggest blunders according to my opinion and will try to explain what he did wrong.

Change of Route of Pak-China Economic Corridor

Pak-China Economic Corridor is one of the most forward looking economic project of Nawaz Shareef’s current tenure. In a sense i feel its the need of the hour not only for economy of Pakistan but its security stability and unity. Road not only bring traffic but also economic activity, prosperity to the land and also reduce hatred and terrorism. According to the original plan the economic corridor was suppose to go through Balochistan and KPK into the china. Currently all Pakistan’s infrastructure is present on the eastern side and this economic corridor will provide much needed infrastructure development on the western side. Western side is also the side troubled with terrorism and sense of depravity and this development will increase the harmony and reduce the terrorism.

But recently PML-N decided to change the route and take it through Lahore. Lahore already is over populous and full of infrastructure and this would have created more chaos and congestion to the over crowded city.

Then the mistake over the mistake was the statement they give for the change of route that the security was lacking. There are two problems with this statement. Is PML-N not in government? do they not plan to improve the security? and secondly are the not giving the message that only Punjab is safe.? so are they acknowledging that their government has failed in improving security and have no plan to improve the security.

Thirdly this project is multi billion rather trillion ruppee project once the road is finalized you cant just pick it up and take it somewhere else so one excuse should not over shadow other important gains like giving the strategic depth, development of the western side, improvement of the harmony among people by improving travelling. opening new routes. enabling the development of the under developed areas and so many more benefits.

Cyber Security Bill

Cyber Security Bill is also one of the high level blunder. This is one of the most ill concived bill in which freedom of speech is restricted and this will give rise to more anti-government sentiments. Social Media was one of the few places where government managed to get some support against the dharna politics of Imran Khan Now they are trying to block it and it will hurt them more in the future then gaining them anything in the present. Most form of the criticism is blocked according to this bill.

I am not against having some restrictions but according to the bill even making political cartoons is a crime. The other issue is the government has not given his view. If they have all these points in the bill for some specific reason then they should commnicate to the masses. But unfortunately tnawaz shareef lack of democratic views and keeping quiet s hurting more than serving him

Enactment of Military Courts 

This is one of the biggest blunder of internal politics. The PML-N enactment of military courts is a message that government is incapable and cannot fix the judicial system of the country. If we go by this logic then the government should not criticize dictatorship or dictators because they also believe that democratic system has not produced results for Pakistan and therefore dictators should be allowed to the govern Pakistan. There government says that democracy should be given time to strengthen then why not give time and direction and make effort to fix the judicial system of Pakistan also to make it more effective.?

Failure to understand Sindh

Although federal government is considered to be representative of all Pakistan and PML-N also waste no time in saying that it got votes and seats in all provinces o the Pakistan but its hidden thing that PML-N is highly disliked by people of Karachi in unanimity. Looking at various steps of the ruling party PML-N it come as no surprise.

Firstly they have highly incapable president of Sindh PML-N. A president of sindh PML-N can not win his own seat even a provincial seat. He has no backing plus he is notorious. Secondly the the mentality of Karachi voter is highly different then the thinking of Punjabi voter.

Secondly just before the election PML-N included candidates or made alliances with the parties who were notorious and with little support on the ground. After these parties lost they again split  from PML-N. So instead of giving exposure to some of their own capable candidate they relied on external unreliable support. Then PML-N Sindh has no voice and even when rarely they make a statement they make a stupid one.

Lack of Foreign Minister

May be in its effort to keep the government size manageable PML-N federal government tried to restrict the number of ministers. But not appointing a dedicated Foreign Minister PML-N just shows that either they are incapable of understanding foreign affairs. ? or they lack a good personality to handle foreign affairs or foreign affairs matters are not in their control. All three meanings shows a blunder and nothing else on PML-N part

They also have some of the worst ministers in IT. Even water and power minister have failed to end load shedding or give a clear vision.

Large delays in Appointing on Key Posts

Nawaz Shareef seems to be incapable of making a decision. Number of key bureaucratic and head of departments post which required agreement with opposition leader like chairman NAB takes a long long time in getting appointment. They get appointed in the end because of strict warnings from the Supreme Court Judges. When a person is incapable of simply appointing key positions with honest and well reputed people in timely fashion then it leaves a big question mark on his decision making skills.

Development of Lahore Karachi Motorway

I am always pro infrastructure projects. but there has to be limit to the amount of such projects especially if its destroying your most fertile land and giving no benefit at all. There are now number of links from Lahore to Multan so developing yet another road from Lahore to Multan for Lahore Karachi motorway is simply like cutting your limb. Pakistan already is facing heaving reduction in agricultural land. We just need to develop the missing roads between Lahore Karachi and should use the existing infrastructure as much as possible.

Yemen Affair:

Without having a dedicated foreign minister its no surprise that PML-N made number of blunders on Yemen Affair. Yemen affair has number of significance. Our trusted friend Saudi Arabia first time asked for help. Nawaz Shareef agreed to provide this help. Suddenly media started maligning campaign against this issue, openly accusing Nawaz Shareef under personal gains helping Saudi Arabia without realizing that our existence is largely thanks to Saudi Arabia help which have never shied from helping us in our time of trouble.

Blunder 1: Government gives no directives to media not malign our trusted friend. (When Musharraf sent NS to Saudi Arabia under the deal he directed media not malign Saudi Arabia in this affair)

Blunder 2: Under pressure from Media and probably Army, Nawaz shareef tried to back track from its commitment and for this calls a joint session. This joint session started talking foul about Saudi Arabia. It is Saudi that helped us when we were put under economic sanctions and its Saudia that has helped monetarily whenever we asked. The joint session speakers started speaking in favor of Iran who deliberately tried to roll back our nuclear program by informing about our help to Iran. Dr. Abdul Qadeer father of Pakistan nuclear capability is penalized because of Iran’s effort.

Nawaz Shareef should have called a meeting with the parliamentary leaders and should have given them directives not to use any foul languages against our trusted Saudi friends

Nawaz Shareef should atleast have told his own party members that they should not take a position against Saudi Arabia.

Blunder 3: Iran FM visited Pakistan and Saudi Arabia also announced to send its representative to Pakistan.. PM after meeting the Iranian FM passes resolution in the join session regarding Yemen conflict which sound n favor or Iranian point of view before even the meeting with the Saudi delegation is held. So a message is sent to our friend that dont come we have already accepted Iran point of view. A country which has number of times violated our sovereignty and killed our soldiers. What a stupid message to give our friend Saudi Arabia.

Blunder 4: When our friends gave a well deserved harsh response to our parliamentary resolution then our Interior Minister who is mostly missing and never found giving a statement on matters related to interior minister gave an even more damaging response. Come on cant the Prime Minister tell his minister to shut up instead of burning to ashes our friendship with the most loyal friends.

Blunder 5: When some section of media highlighted the contribution of Saudi Arabia after our nuclear blast, PML-N finance minister gave a statement in denial of those gifts and concessions and contribution. So now we showed to our friend that we are one undeserving and inconsiderate friend.

Just to wrap up. I feel that Nawaz Shareef is far from the leader the Pakistan needs at this time. His decision making leaves a lot to be desired. He lacks total understanding of foreign affairs. His political skills and political sense are very weak and incapable of developing further. This may turn out to be the bigger threat for PML-N then any other party including PTI

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Pakistan’s Columnist Rauf Klasra: Akhir Kyun-Well Done Kehna Bunta Hai,Boss!

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57 REASONS NOT TO VOTE FOR PML-N : Nawaz Sharif is a Five Disaster Waiting to Happen in Pakistan. He Hates Pakistan Army & is Pro-India Sleeper Kashmiri!

57  REASONS NOT TO VOTE FOR NAWAZ SHARIF & PML-N

 

 

57 REASONS NOT TO VOTE PML- N ..NAWAZ & SHAHBAZ SHARIF. 
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1. Liars (Jedda Contract One Example) Supported Zardari Mr 20% for 5 years. 
2. Hudabiya Paper Mills Scandal (Reference 
Pending in NA 
3. Ittefaq Foundries Scandal (Loan 
Defaulters) 4. Money Laundering (illegal transfers) Ishaq Dar’s statement 5. NRO 
6. Record Lowest GDP in both tenures (90 & 
97) 
7. Tax Evaders 
8. Used Public Money for personal projection 9. Fake Degree Holders 
10. Defaulters of Banks & LESCO 11. Supported Zardari in order to get next 
term guaranteed 
12. Criminal Act of keeping 1.14 Million kids away from schools in Punjab 
13. No action taken against Fake Medicine producers (Haneef Abbasi PIC Scandal) 
14. PTCL, Wapda & Internet Defaulters in 
Assembly (Including Ch. Nisar) 15. Sana Ullah Zahri President PMLN Balochistan abusing ladies in Press Conf 
(Farzana Raja) 
16. Access to clean water in Punjab is decreased by 4% in last tenure of PML-N. 
17. Infant mortality rate in Punjab has 
increased in last 5 years. 
18. Revenue of Punjab has decreased in 
last 5 years. 
19. Number of children without access to 
education has increased in last 5 years. Whereas Punjab Govt. was spending money
on Laptops & Danish Schools. (11.5 million) 20. Infrastructure of Govt. schools in Punjab 
has been destroyed, 31% of schools 
without washrooms. 
21-not proper funding for rescue 1122, 
22- no fuel for petroling police that resulted in increase in crime ratio 
23- no funds for 
advancement of technical 
research in universities & colleges 
24- criminal and cruel cut on south punjab 
budget. 
25- no solution to the load shedding problem in punjab (it is provincial matter as well after 18th amendment) 26- transfer of 
funds to Mansehra, the 
constituency of Cap Safdar (Son in law of 
Nawaz Sharif) 
27- friendly nodes with terrorist groups 
28- no care of institute building 
29- no 3rd party audit of mega projects in Punjab 
30- to support milk project of Hamza 
Shahbaz, Punjab Govt used police to 
counter the other Dairy Farms in 
surrounding areas of Lahore 
31- family limited party (Nawaz to Shahbaz 
then Hamza and Maryam) 
32- 3000 times increase in personal assets during their tenure 33 – Qarz utaro mulk sanwaro scam –> Ran away with kids pocket money 
34 – Attack on Supreme Court 
35 – Kept a number of parties out of Parliament, through deceit and deception, 
who could have provided genuine opposition to PPP govt in last five years 
36 – Power hungry –> Ameer-ul-moaminin bill 
37 – Lack of intelligence and ability to 
articulate on issues in top leadership 
38 – Party is a family controlled mafia 
39 – Apparently returned to Pakistan with a vengeance to take revenge from Pakistani state 
and public 
40 – Total disregard of two nation theory by Nawaz Sharif 
41- Taking 22 billion dollars in reward of aimal kansi who killed 2 cia as he said he was real angry with the policy of the U.S. government in the Middle East south east asia, particularly toward the Palestinian people, Kansi said in a prison interview with CNN men like raymond davis who escape safely after killing 4 pakistanis with the help of Nawaz Sharif after that US top leaders said that pakistanis can even sell their moms for money. 
42- Supporting zardari. 
43-He himself is the champion of corruption and still facing such charges and interestingly he has not been declared innocent in any of the case like Asif Zardari. 
44-Poll rigging as usual 
45-Wasted precious tax paid public money on his and his family security 
46-Nawaz sharif not accepting debate challenge of imran khan live infront of whole nation because he is liar and supported by corrupt spoons nawaz and shahbaz loot money while kept his son and spoons to bark and do advocacy of 2 corrupt elephants. 
47-He is industrialist he always damage all kind of other business and he escape most investors. 
48-Faulty and failed schemes like Ashiana Scheme, Yellow Cab Scheme, “Jangla” Bus Service, Sasti Roti and Tandoor Schemes,Punjab is today under heavy debt of Rs 500 billion. 
49-Rana SanaUllah PML N Making Jokes about Hazrat Umar’s (R.A) Qoul. 
50-PPP and PML-N “corrupt, tried and failed family enterprise parties. 
51-VIP protocol culture LONG CONVOY MOVEMENT BLOCKING ROADS for long time even they dont care if patient dies in ambulance. 
52-Most gang rapes in punjab in last 5 years 
53-Freezing pakistani citizens bank accounts Radio tax. 
54-18 hours load shedding in punjab while free electricity and gas to three big factories of nawaz sharif for 4 years. 
55-Attacking free judiciary and supreme court. 
56-Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz Sharif and others misused official resources causing a loss to the national exchequer of Rs 620million by developing 1800 acres of land in Raiwind at state expense. 
57-Nawaz Sharif, Saif-ur-Rehman and others reduced import duty from 325% to 125% on import of luxury cars (BMW), causing a huge loss of Rs1.98 billion to the national exchequer.
 

 

 


 

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SEX PREDATOR (Thurkee) NAWAZ SHARIF TRIES TO SEDUCE BRITISH JOURNALIST KIM BARKER

HORNY NAWAZ SHARIF TRIES TO SEDUCE BRITISH JOURNALIST KIM BARKER

Nawaz “Horny” Sharif has a rule, to be a PML(N) Jiyali, a female has to smile when Nawaz makes a pass at them. Unfortunately for Nawaz, British journalist Kim Barker got her signal mixed and almost smacked Nawaz across his face. Her she tells the story, about the “future” leader of Pakistan. Shame on you, Nawaz sharif, have you not heard of sexual harassment being against the law in Pakistan.

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From The Washington Post

 

http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2011-04-14/lifestyle/35261829_1_lara-logan-lynsey-addario-new-york-times-journalists

 

Foreign female journalists face challenges most often in parts of the world where protections for women are weak even in peacetime — in societies where men and women lead highly segregated lives and often don’t have sex before marriage. In these countries, men often say they view Western women as the sexual equivalent of junk food: fast and cheap.

Even highly placed sources can behave inappropriately. Kim Barker, who was the South Asia bureau chief with the Chicago Tribune from 2004 to 2008, was offered an iPhone by former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif. But that phone would not really have been free: His pickup line was, “I’m fat and old. But I would still like to be your friend,” she writes in her book, “The Taliban Shuffle.”

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KARGIL OPERATION IN THE LIGHT OF THE HEADLINES OF THE NEWSPAPER… PART-I

  
7 June
India disconnected from Northern Kashmir
“If India cannot restore its supply route to Siachen than she will have to face great loss of lives, Siachen war has been now shifted to Kargil” Retired Indian General
‘India might attack Pakistan in desperation’ The Economist
‘India Plans to attack and capture few areas of Azad Kashmir under command of General Mahinder’
‘India should face facts in Kargil, stop attacks over Mujahideen and turn towards negotiations’ US Ambassador
9 June
‘9 Indian soldiers killed in skirmish over Sialkot Sector, Mujahideen destroy ammo depot in Kargil’
‘Pakistani Foreign Minister might visit India on 12 June,India formerly notifies Pakistan, talks will be over Kargil not Kashmir’
10 June
‘Israeli Commandoes arrive over LoC to help Indians’
‘Will not withdraw even from an inch’ Pakistan rejects pressure; before visiting India Pakistani Foreign Minister visits China
11 June
‘Govt and opposition unites against India; express confidence over armed forces’
12 June
‘We have tackled all Indian plans of aggression over allfronts’ Nawaz Sharif
13 June
‘IndoPak talks fruitless due to stubbornness of India with Pakistani Foreign Minister’
14 June
‘After failure of negotiations Wajpai orders war; heavy number of personnel arrive at LoC from both sides’
 
 
 
17 June
‘Whole nation stands with armed forces’ Nawaz Sharif
‘Will not let nation down’ Parvaiz Musharaf
18 June
‘important Indian posts captured by Mujahideen; 65 Indian soldiers killed, 400 laid down weapons in front of Pakistani forces. Indian diplomatic, political and military pressure rejected; will not withdraw from important defense positions in Kargil’
20 June
‘any place might be converted into Kargil; India should resolve Kashmir dispute’ Nawaz Sharif
21 June
‘G-8 countries reject Indian demands against Pakistan; both countries should come to table for peace talks; unanimous decision’
22 June
‘India rejects appeal of G-8 countries’
‘whole region is at the verge of volcano; peace talks withIndia would be over Kashmir not Kargil’
23 June
‘If India attacks Pakistan she will get destructive response; Pakistan’s wish for negotiations should not be taken as weakness’ Nawaz Sharif
‘India signals crossing of LoC; Indian army might cross LoC under cover of attacking Mujahideen’ Indian Foreign Minister
24 June
‘India warns of a full war; have ordered army to prepare to cross LoC’ Indian Army Chief
25 June
‘Mujahideen should withdraw from Indian Held Kashmir; LoC should be relocated’ USA
‘US stance supports Indian stubbornness, we are acting upon Shimla pact while India is not only continuously violating the pact but wants to capture Siachen and other areas as well’ Pakistan
26 June
‘Kargil is not separate from Kashmir; Mujahideen will not withdraw from Kargil’ Nawaz Sharif’s reply to US General Anthony
27 June
‘Will not accept any pressure on Kargil dispute, clarified to US General that we will not withdraw forces from LoC unanimously’ General Parvaiz Musharaf
‘Diplomatic links between Clinton-Nawa Sharif for negotiations’
‘Nawaz Sharif leaves for visit to China’
28 June
‘China ensures complete support to Pakistan overKashmir dispute’
1 July
‘Cannot capture Kargil and Daras peaks’ Indian Army
‘Indian army is facing intense loss of lives, intense bombardment and latest weapons are of no use’ even missiles are not hitting the targets. Pakistanis are fighting with zeal and courage, they cannot be crushed’ Colonel Vikram Singh and Squadron Leader Panday talks to media
‘Nukes are not for being kept in cupboards; Pakistan will not end its support to Kashmiris; if India dared to attack Pakistan, we will not refrain from using nuclear weapons’ Raja Zafar-ul-Hassan
 
 
Indian aerial and artillery bombardment converted Kargil peaks into stones but was unable to breakup courage of Pakistanis
 
2 July
India should refrain from devastating peace of the region. Kashmir dispute is the burning dispute of the history, India should not misjudge China’s interest for peace in the region’ China
‘After failure in the Kargil India will open new battle fronts. Pressure over Indian govt is increasing to change policy due to number of casualties in the hands of Mujahideen are unacceptable’ Ex-Indian Army Chief General Wishwanath Sharma
‘Without opening other battle fronts it is impossible to defeat Mujahideen in Kargil. Indian army with either have to fight face to face with Mujahideen or cross LoC’ Indian Defense Analyst A.K Dandy
3 July
‘Kargil could not be separated from Kashmir dispute. Indian army’s supremacy will be unacceptable over any part of LoC including Kargil’ Pakistan
‘Will not accept any deal over Kashmiris rights to decide freely, we are acting upon a clear policy’ Nawaz Sharif’s letter to Sardar Qayum
‘In order to retaliate any Indian aggression Pakistani F-16s have been airborne, this is a message to enemy that it will not be spared’
‘If India attacks to Pakistan we will be side by side withPakistan; it is in the greatest interest of Pakistan to follow its principle stance’ Chinese Ambassador
‘As long as Pakistan supported army is not withdrawn from Kargil, Clinton should stop aid to Pakistan; American Congress Committee over Kargil blamesPakistan for the dispute’
4 July
‘Indian army had to face intense casualities in Daras; intense fighting continues in Kargil. A big attack has been thwarted; Indian army launched a big attack with the support of artillery and airforce but failed.
‘Nawaz Sharif leaves for USA, USA made it clear that she wants end to the war, Pakistan’s three points agenda will be discussed in one to one meeting. Pakistan will not withdraw from its principle stance, we are ready for long term war as well’ Tehmina Daultana
‘From “Cricket” to “bus” and now deceptive diplomacy; nation not being told the truth. Deals are in progress to return Kargil to India; Prime Minister has no right to deviate from the national stance’ Saeed Manes
5 July
Nawaz-Clinton 3 hours long meeting; consensus on restoring the LoC, due to the situation in Kargil threats of war have developed, in order to stop the war both countries should take solid maeasure and start negotiations among higher officials’ Clinton
‘We cannot withdraw even from 1 Inch’ Pakistan Army
‘Pakistan should not accept international pressure overKashmir dispute, Mujahideen will not withdraw from peaks at any cost. Kargil is totally under control, within few weeks India will not be even able to withdraw its military equipment from “Zojila Pass”. If Indian army crossed LoC in no time Pakistan army will be inSrinagar. Allah is with Mujahideen, sudden visit of Nawaz Sharif to USA is suspicious’ Hafiz Saeed talks to Majeed Nizami and media
 
 
18000 feet high peak of Kargil
 
6 July
‘Including Huriat Conference all Mujahid organizations reject Nawaz-Clinton deal’
7 July
‘Pakistan has been defeated on diplomatic fronts’ Shah Mehmood
8 July
‘Nawaz Sharif has committed treachery by selling Kargil, he has no right to be in power; caretaker govt should be formed to resolve the situation. I am forced to live outside of Pakistan on return will start campaign against Nawz Sharif’ Benazir Bhutto
‘Nawaz govt has signed its deal of death. The deal of slavery is worst than destructive results of war, not even a single word of the deal expresses Pakistani stance’ Qazi Hussain Ahmad’s reaction over Washington Declaration
‘As a reaction over govt policy on Kargil Peoples Party will stage demonstrations tomorrow on the call of Benazir Bhutto; Peoples party appeals all parties to support its demonstrations’
‘On the order of US President, Nawaz Sharif ignored national interest and wasted a golden opurtunity. Whole nation had been united but our leader got defeated in the psychological war. In the next war Washington will be openly against us. The decision of Prime Minister has devastated morale of army’ Hameed Gul
‘We have not signed any deal for the withdrawal of Mujahideen. President Clinton has assured to resolveKashmir dispute within 18 months by taking personal interest. Anti govt elements are spreading rumors. Kashmir has become international dispute against the wishes of India. Due to the deteriorating situation over LoC US intervention was inevitable. So I visited USA to meet US President’. Nawaz Sharif’s interview before leaving New York  
9 July
‘in spite of Pakistan’s agreement there are no hopes of withdrawal of Mujahideen, fighting is growing intense we are facing intense resistance. We are ready for a full fledged attack over Kargil’ Indian General VP Malik
‘hope that Nawaz Sharif will fulfill the promise of ending the Kargil dispute’ USA
‘If we withdraw from Kargil no one will be in Indian Held Kashmir to support Pakistan. Nawaz Sharif has bowed the head of 14 million people. We will not let him to give up a victory over the table. Nawaz Sharif has hired few persons to propagate that Kargil has no importance. Army and Mujahideen are against him’ Press Conference of Kashmiri Mujahideen
‘Govt has sold out Kashmir in the deal with USA’ Yousaf Raza Gillani
 
 

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 These headlines published in the Nawa-i-Waqt summarize the war that was fought in 1999 for two motnhs at the height of 18000 feet. This is clear that Pakistan army has won that war tactically, strategically and professionally. This is also evident from the statements of Indian civil and military leadership expressing hopelessness. Not only this in spite of utilizing its full aerial and territorial power India failed to capture peaks of Kargil. In this small scale war not only India has to bear great casualities but in spite of having ten times bigger army and latest weapons she had to lick the dust but in such sensitive and grave situation Indian media stood side by side with Indian army and this was the Indian media that propagated India as oppressed. Alas! Pakistan lost that war due to American interests attached with India. As Pakistani military leadership ignored Indian reaction over Kargil operation in the same manners Pakistan’s political leadership did an unforgiveable mistake by accepting USA as a arbitrator and failed to understand American interests in India. In the other words USA got victory in Kargil and this was openly expressed by Bill Clinton in his address to Indian in March 2000, “This was not India that has recaptured Kargil but USinterference that forced Pakistan to withdraw from Kargil…”

Nawaz Sharif-The Horny Duffer of Gowalmandi

This man would be PM a third time ? Have we learnt nothing ?

Someone asked for the relevant bit to be highlighted. Just read the bit below……..

He ignored me. “I have bought you an iPhone,” he said.

“I can’t take it.”

“Why not? It is a gift.”

“No. It’s completely unethical, you’re a source.”

But we are friends, right?” I had forgotten how Sharif twisted the word
“friend.”

“Sure, we’re friendly, but you’re still the former prime minister of

Pakistan and I can’t take an iPhone from you,” I said.
But we are friends,” he countered. “I don’t accept that. I told you I was
buying you an iPhone.”

I told you I couldn’t take it. And we’re not those kind of friends.”

He tried a new tactic. “Oh, I see. Your translator is here, and you do not
want him to see me give you an iPhone. That could be embarrassing for you.”

Exasperated, I agreed. “That’s it.”

He then offered to meet me the next day, at a friend’s apartment in Lahore, to give me the iPhone and have tea. No, I said. I was going to Faridkot. Sharif finally came to the point. “Kim. I am sorry I was not able to find you a friend. I tried, but I failed.” He shook his head, looked genuinely sad about the failure of the project.
That’s OK,” I said. “Really. I don’t really want a friend right now. I am
perfectly happy without a friend. I want to be friendless.”

He paused. And then, finally, the tiger of Punjab pounced. “I would like to be your friend.”I didn’t even let him get the words out. “No. Absolutely not. Not going to happen.

Hear me out.” He held his hand toward me to silence my negations as he made his pitch. He could have said anything—that he was a purported billionaire who had built my favorite road in Pakistan, that he could buy me a power plant or build me a nuclear weapon. But he opted for honesty.

“I know, I’m not as tall as you’d like,” Sharif explained. “I’m not as fit
as you’d like. I’m fat, and I’m old. But I would still like to be your
friend.”

No,” I said. “No way.”

He then offered me a job running his hospital, a job I was eminently
unqualified to perform. “It’s a huge hospital,” he said. “You’d be very good at it.” He said he would only become PM again if I were his secretary. I thought about it for a few seconds—after all, I would probably soon be out of a job. But no. The new position’s various positions would not be worth it.

Eventually, I got out of the tiger’s grip, but only by promising that I would consider his offer. Otherwise, he wouldn’t let me leave. I jumped into the car, pulled out my tape recorder, and recited our conversation. Samad shook his head. My translator put his head in his hands. “I’m embarrassed for my country,” he said.

After that, I knew I could never see Sharif again. I was not happy about this—I liked Sharif. In the back of my mind, maybe I had hoped he would come through with a possible friend, or that we could have kept up our banter, without an iPhone lurking in the closet. But now I saw him as just another sad case, a recycled has-been who squandered his country’s adulation and hope, who thought hitting on a foreign journalist was a smart move. Which it clearly wasn’t.”

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