The 2018 election season is heating up in Pakistan, and in a few months, millions of Pakistanis will cast their ballot in what is promising to be a crucial election in the country’s history. The stage has been set by the dramatic ouster of one of the most influential men in Pakistan’s political history, and the unlikely political movement and slogan that the aforementioned ouster has led to.

On the other hand, Imran Khan continues to be the wildcard choice to lead the country, should all elements come together at the right place and the right time. However, a string of crucial electoral losses, divisions within the party and various other controversies should alarm all the supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) who hope to see Imran emerge as the nation’s next leader in this upcoming election.

The following reasons are just some of the issues that should give PTI supporters a cause for concern:

1. No clear winning strategy in Punjab

Since the end of the previous election in 2013, Imran has been demanding an early election. However, when posed with the obvious question of how that election will actually be won, PTI’s strategy gets muddled.

Let’s run some quick math to understand the issue. In the 2013 election, PTI won eight out of 148 available seats in the province of Punjab. If we assume that the election was rigged to an extent where half of the votes belonging to the PTI were stolen, and if we also assume that the PTI is twice as popular in Punjab today than it was in 2013, this would still mean a grand total of 32 parliamentary seats, or roughly 21% of the total seats available.

This problem is at the heart of Imran’s woes in Punjab, which is why the PTI is in flux over whether to support candidates that directly align with the party’s ideology, or to change the ideology of the party itself in order to rope in more “electable candidates”, especially in areas such as southern Punjab where the party fancies its chances. Either way, it is evident that there is no clear direction of how to mathematically win in Punjab, and the doubts over which election strategy to adopt while the election itself looms near is visibly hurting the party in the run-up to the polls.

2. By-elections and lack of momentum

After the historic Panama verdict was announced, it was assumed that Imran and the PTI would seize the moment and run off with the show after securing an incredible victory in the next election, given the emergence of a political vacuum. However, the tide has turned against the PTI since then, and the lack of a clear direction is hurting the party’s momentum going into the election.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has won three critical by-elections that have been held since then, and that too by massive margins, and their victory in Lodhran has sent shockwaves in PTI’s camp. With only a few months to go before the general election, the PTI cannot afford to keep losing by-election after by-election, particularly in areas where it hopes to win only a few months later. It is critical to shift the momentum now before it becomes too late and yet another election season is lost by the PTI.

3. Divisions within the party

A common theme to have emerged in the party is the lack of unity at the local and regional levels. The PTI is a party that is now comprised of various groups and factions that have sometimes come from rival parties and families. While the national leadership is unified and presents a professional outlook for the party, matters are entirely different at the local level, where different groups are often fighting for electoral tickets and greater influence.

This culture has been cited as the prime reason for the shocking loss in Lodhran as well, as many members were split on the selection of Ali Tareen after his father had been disqualified by the Supreme Court (SC). Perhaps this is one of the prime reasons why the PTI has failed to hold any sort of intra-party elections in the last five years and has now formed a committee to review its constitution.

4. Lack of defections in PML-N

Against all odds and expectations, after over six months since Nawaz Sharif was disqualified, the PML-N has not suffered any major defections and has survived as a unified force despite being pushed around by some senior members.

Going into the election, it is critical to keep an eye on the political sphere and see whether the party ends up breaking into smaller factions, as some analysts have predicted. If it does, that could be the single biggest factor that determines the outcome of the next general election, and would also give Imran the best shot at securing his position as the country’s next prime minister.

5. Nawaz’s campaign

While Imran and his PTI are still trying to figure out election campaigns and strategies, Nawaz’s election campaign is already fully underway. Despite most people counting Nawaz out of the game, he has roared back with a catchy and effective campaign in the Punjabi heartland and is using the open playing field in front of him to cash in early.

Historically, Nawaz has done extremely well in Punjab. Now, with experience, incumbency, and influence to back him up, he is making sure that no chances are taken with the upcoming election. Within months, the attention has shifted from Nawaz being labeled a scandalous corrupt tsar, to a people’s representative who was thrown out of power unjustly. It is critical for the PTI to counter this narrative and to counter it quickly before they lose out yet again. The results of early campaigning by Nawaz can already be seen in the shape of Lodhran and other local elections, which should serve as a wake-up call for the PTI leadership.

However, all is not yet lost for the PTI and the recent removal of Nawaz as the head of the PML-N should reignite PTI and their efforts at establishing a popular narrative. Having a strong party that realistically knocks on the door of the status quo would be great for the longevity of Pakistan’s democracy, which is why we should all hope that despite the evident shortcomings, the PTI is able to come together and provide a real challenge to the PML-N in the 2018 election.

KARACHI: A young boy’s video of singing Atif Aslam’s song from Tiger Zinda Hai, Dil Diyan Gallan has been taking rounds of the internet.

Hailing from Okara, Punjab, Arshman Naeem is a 12-year-old boy, with his own Facebook page where he posts videos of himself singing. His latest being Dil Diyan Gallan with which he has done a tremendous job and garnered over 90,000 views.

While he might be stumbling at some parts of the song, Naeem does manage to sing very well for a boy his age. Unaware of if he has been trained or not, Naeem’s voice is very mesmerizing.

He has also sung covers for many other songs which he posted on his Facebook page.

With immense talent sprouting out from all parts of Pakistan, the nation should be proud. However, it must also be noted that such talent should be appreciated and encouraged for a more empowering nation.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) shifts to the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, with Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United taking on each other in the first match there.

The repeat of first year’s final takes on added meaning considering both teams are currently locked at two points from two games; having won one and lost the other so far.

Both sides come into the game high on confidence after claiming a win in their last games.

“We played really well in our last match against Multan Sultan, who came into that game with two wins in two, and we were able to beat them quite convincingly in the end,” said Islamabad United’s veteran pacer Muhammad Sami, while talking to The Express Tribune. “We were pumped up for that match and gave it our best.”

Sami promised a similar effort in their game against Quetta. “We expect another competitive game against Quetta so we will give it our best to not only entertain the crowd but also to get the two points,” he said.

Islamabad dominated the game against Multan almost from start to finish, having claimed early wickets to account for Multan’s in-form top-order, and Sami says they will be looking to repeat the trick against Quetta. “We took some early wickets [against Multan] and that helped us build pressure and restrict them to a low score,” he said. “Quetta is a tough side and we are both tied on two points so a win is important for both of us.”

Young pacer Faheem Ashraf, who recently claimed Pakistan’s first-ever T20I hat-trick, is also eager to perform against the team of his national captain. “Sarfraz Ahmed has guided me a lot and I have learned a lot from him while playing for the national side,” he said. “Playing against him will be tough but I will try to give it my all. We are hoping that Misbah ul Haq will be able to recover and lead the line against Sarfraz; Misbah is an absolute legend of the game and one of the best captains around, so it’s understandable that we have more confidence when he is leading us.”

‘Quetta confident about winning’

Quetta Gladiators all-rounder and Pakistan U19 captain Hasan Khan revealed the confidence running through the side as they take on Islamabad. “Winning the last match [against Lahore Qalandars] in that emphatic a manner gave us a lot of confidence and we will use that against Islamabad,” he said.

“Our batsmen have been performing well so that gives added confidence to our bowlers, who know they can afford to bowl with aggression. The addition of [West Indian pacer] Jofra Archer has also improved the quality of our bowling unit.”

The two-time runners-up have been propelled by Muhammad Nawaz’s performances in the two games so far and the all-rounder is keen to keep his purple patch going. “My figures in the previous match (2-4 in four overs) were exceptional,” he said. “Usually the batsmen are hit all over the park in this format but I was able to claim the wickets of Lahore’s main two batsmen.”

Nawaz, however, admitted it won’t be easy to repeat the heroics. “Islamabad’s batsmen can be much more difficult to bowl to, but I will still try to give my best and do what skipper Sarfraz wants from me,” he said. “Islamabad’s batsmen have the ability to surprise you since they can suddenly switch gears and just a few bad overs are enough to completely change the direction of a game.”

QUETTA: Two policemen were martyred when Deputy Superintendent of Police Hameedullah Dasti’s car came under under heavy firing by unknown assailants on Sumungli Road in Quetta early Wednesday morning.

“DSP Dasti remained safe in the attack,” confirmed Balochistan police.

The deceased were identified as Muhammad Thair and Ayoub shah.
Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo strongly condemned the attack and ordered an immediate inquiry into it.

“Terrorists don’t deserve any leniency,” the CM stated as he expressed his sorrow and grief with the bereaved families.

Last month, a customs official was killed in a firing incident early in the outskirts of Quetta.

The customs officials were travelling in a car when unknown assailants opened fire at the vehicle near Sheikh Zayed Hospital at Link road resulting in the death of Muhammad Fasim.

However reason of the attack remained unclear.

DUBAI: Pakistan Super League T20 tournament is in full swing in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. At the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Pakistani teams alongside other esteemed international stars and players have come together to play against each other for the third year of the league. As the brand PSL grows bigger and stronger, different teams have brought on mainstream television and movie stars to take on the role of their brand ambassadors.

This year’s brand ambassador for Peshawar Zalmi is none other Mahira Khan, who is one of Pakistan’s most popular and beloved actors. Mahira tweeted earlier last week that she had joined Peshawar Zalmi as brand ambassador and appeared in Peshawar Zalmi’s music video alongside Hamza Ali Abbasi who is also the team’s brand ambassador. The music video, where Mahira looks fierce and does a customary Pakhtun dance is shot very much with the team members of Peshawar Zalmi and Hamza Ali Abbasi. The video and the anthem is perhaps the best out of all the anthems this year in PSL.

But the video is not the only exciting part about Zalmi fans, Mahira and Hamza’s fandom knows no bounds – be it on social media or in the stadium. Fans and media mobbed Mahira Khan for the chance of interviews and selfies with her. The Express Tribune caught up with Mahira Khan amidst all the excitement and madness of Pakistan Super League 2018 to talk about Peshawar Zalmi, cricket memories and more.

How does she like it, this PSL madness, I ask the Verna star. Has she ever been a part of something like this? “Never,” she responds looking around with her distinctive childlike candour. “I’ve never been a part of something like this – the last time I remembered that I was in a stadium when I was in Karachi when I was fifteen years old. We’d packed our bags and we were in a little box. It was all quite exciting.”

Is there any déjà vu she feels? “A little,” she replies thinking briefly. She shakes her head immediately afterwards and begins to say something else when there is suddenly a huge noise outside the press box, where the match is happening. The audience has gone wild. Has Zalmi scored? “This is something else though,” she remarks, perhaps denoting the electric atmosphere. “I love being here, I love rooting for the team.”

A lot of people criticised the PSL beginning in Dubai and having most of its matches here. While its final was played in Lahore last year and this year it would be played in Karachi, it continues to garner criticism for being held mostly in Dubai. Does Mahira agree? “It should definitely happen in Pakistan,” she nods. “There’ll be nothing better than PSL coming home,” Mahira says warmly. “Our stadiums getting full. Nothing better than that. If you’re asking me if I’d rather have it at home, yes. I would. But in a way, what is happening here in Dubai is amazing too. All cricket lovers from all over the world are coming here and watching this tournament happen. Which is also a great thing, I think.”

When we talked about the sense of betrayal Karachiites felt (I simply had to ask) as Mahira, a Karachiite herself, supports Peshawar’s team. Did Mahira face any backlash for going to Zalmi’s side? When I ask her this, she bursts out laughing. “Absolutely, I’ve got whatsapp groups going insane.” She pushes her hair back and gears up for a suitable explanation for this. “See, for me, if we win, my team wins, if your team wins, it’s a win-win situation.” She does have a point.

“You know the cool part is though,” the Humsafar actor says, “when the match is happening, till the time the match is going on, you’re like uurgghh (she makes a little angry warrior gesture) but when it’s over, everyone’s friends again!”

Mahira Khan is also the brand ambassador of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and was recently in Dubai at one of their fundraisers as well. Peshawar Zalmi had flown in some children from the hospital to attend one of the matches. Mahira had not had the chance to interact with them but she speaks just as passionately about them.

“I couldn’t get the chance to meet them, by the time I arrived in here, it was too late, otherwise I would have met them because it is one my absolute favourite things to do. To interact with them. And I recommend it to everyone. Next time you’re in Lahore, you must visit them. Take your kids. It’s a very special place to be.”

Mahira Khan will be seen soon in a film opposite Sheheryaar Munawar called Saat Din Muhabbat In and in another film opposite her Zalmi brand ambassador friend, Hamza Ali Abbasi, in Maula Jatt 2.