Winners and Losers
Winners and Losers
Winners and losers: On Pakistan democracy, Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif
Elections in Pakistan go according to the script written by the Army
The back-to-back jail sentences former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was handed out in two
different cases just a week before the February 8 parliamentary elections, show how roles have been
reversed in Pakistan’s convoluted political space dominated by the shadow hands of the
establishment. In 2018, when Mr. Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was elected to power, the
Opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People’s Party had accused the
military of electoral rigging in favour of the former cricket star, who was the preferred choice of the
generals. A year earlier, Nawaz Sharif, the PML-N leader, had to resign as Prime Minister over the
Panama Papers allegations and later go into exile after his conviction and disqualification. Today, Mr.
Khan has been disqualified and is serving lengthy sentences, while Mr. Sharif is back, leading the PML-
N. Given the way how the military and other state institutions went after Mr. Khan and his party,
there was little surprise in the court proceedings and the verdicts. On Tuesday, he was sentenced to
10 years by a special court in what is commonly called the ‘Cipher case’, on charges that he leaked
state secrets, while on Wednesday, another court sentenced him and his wife to 14 years in the
Toshakhana case, for keeping some of the gifts they had received while he was in power.
Mr. Khan was forced out of power in April 2022 after falling out with the military establishment. He
accused the military and the United States of conspiring to oust him and, at a rally, waved a paper,
purportedly a diplomatic cable sent by the then Pakistani Ambassador to the U.S. in 2022, as
evidence, which came back to hit him as a violation of the Official Secrets Act. His lawyers complain
that they were replaced by state attorneys in the middle of the case and that Mr. Khan was not
allowed to give a proper defence in the ‘Cipher’ trial, which took place inside a jail. His arrest in May
led to large-scale protests. But since then, the authorities have unleashed a systematic campaign to
weaken the PTI — many of its leaders are in jail, while several others have left under pressure or are
on the run. Recently, a court barred the party from using its iconic cricket bat symbol in ballots. Many
PTI workers are contesting as independents. While Mr. Khan is in jail and his party is in tatters under
state repression, Mr. Sharif seems to be enjoying the support of the invisible power centre in the
electoral arena, which makes the elections look like a fixed match. Mr. Sharif might make a political
comeback, but the real winner in the unfolding developments in Pakistan, which is grappling with
enormous economic challenges, is the military and the real loser, the country’s democracy.
Red/blue coloring of words in the sentence indicates subject verb relationship; where ‘red’
denotes ‘subject’ and ‘blue’ denotes ‘verb’. [Practice Exercise]
Vocabulary
1. Sentence (noun) – Verdict, ruling, decree, 11. Go after (phrasal verb) – Pursue, chase,
judgment, condemnation, punishment follow, seek, target
5. Establishment (noun) – Authority, power 16. Conspire (verb) – Plot, scheme, collude,
that be, the ruling class, the system connive, machinate
22. Attorney (noun) – Lawyer, counsel, 30. Contest (verb) – a competition for a
solicitor, barrister, legal representative political position.
29. Ballot (noun) – the piece of paper used to 37. Enormous (adjective) – Huge, immense,
record a person's vote vast, colossal, massive
C. Throng
D. Crowd
19. The following sentence has been divided into parts. One of them contains an error.
Select the part that contains the error from the given options.
You must avoid riding in a crowded bus / or travelling in a metro / during rush hour / as
both are quiet unpleasant experiences.
A. or travelling in a metro
B. You must avoid riding in a crowded bus
C. as both are quiet unpleasant experiences
D. during rush hour
20. Select the INCORRECTLY spelt word.
A. Exterminated
B. Voilence
C. Wildernesses
D. Unmanageable
Comprehension:
In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Fill in the blanks with the help
of the alternatives given. Select the most appropriate option for each blank.
What every tourist must take back from Bhutan is pure honey, especially Putka,
“Antibiotic” honey produced (1) ______ Melipona Bees (stingless bees) a breed found in
protected areas
(2)______ 700 to 1,500 metres above sea level. Due (3) ______ their small size, they can
get larger nutrients (4) ______ regular honeybees. It has a tangy/sour taste and can (5)
______ your sore throat in a matter of minutes
21. Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 1.
A. with
B. by
C. through
D. Of
22. Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 2.
A. after
B. between
C. among
D. Midst
23. Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 3.
A. for
B. to
C. of
D. At
24. Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 4.
A. and
B. then
C. though
D. Than
25. Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 5.
A. appease
B. pacify
C. calm
D. soothe
Answers
1. C 2. B 3. D 4. C 5. B 6. B 7. C 8. C 9. A 10. D 11.A 12.B
13. B 14.A 15.A 16.D 17.A 18.A 19.C 20.B 21.B 22.B 23.B 24.D
25. D [Practice Exercise]
Explanation
1. C) The passage primarily discusses the political dynamics in Pakistan, particularly focusing
on the changing situations of former Prime Ministers Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif, and
how these changes are influenced by the military establishment.
2. B) The passage indicates that the military and other state institutions actively pursued legal
action against Mr. Khan, showing that they were far from indifferent. It talks about the
systematic campaign against PTI and how state attorneys replaced Mr. Khan's lawyers,
suggesting significant involvement rather than indifference.
3. D) The passage implies that the elections seem predetermined due to the state's
oppressive actions against PTI (like jailing leaders, barring the party's symbol, and replacing
Mr. Khan's lawyers) and the apparent backing Mr. Sharif receives from the military,
indicating an uneven playing field influenced by the military establishment.
4. C) The second paragraph adopts a tone of criticism and disapproval towards the way the
military and the state have handled Imran Khan's case. This is evident from the
descriptions of the systematic campaign against PTI, the replacement of Khan’s lawyers,
the lack of proper defence in the ‘Cipher’ trial, and the overall portrayal of an unfair and
biased political and judicial process.
5. B) In the given context, "unleashed" refers to the authorities starting or launching a
systematic campaign against PTI. The closest synonym here is "initiated," which means to
begin or start something. The other options - restrained, prevented, and concluded - have
meanings that are opposite to or different from the intended use of "unleashed" in the
passage.
6. B) Generic (adjective) – Characteristic of or relating to a class or group; not specific,
general. सामान्य
Synonym: Universal (adjective) – Applicable to all cases, general, omnipresent. सार्वभौममक
Definite (adjective) – Clearly stated or decided, certain, unambiguous. स्पष्ट
Precise (adjective) – Marked by exactness and accuracy of expression or detail.
सटीक
Specific (adjective) – Clearly defined or identified, particular, distinct. वर्मिष्ट
7. C) Raise the bar (idiom) – To set higher goals or standards उच्च मानक तय करना
8. C) we will have' के फदरे 'we would have' का प्रमोग होगा क्मोंकक महाॉ Conditional Past Tense
का प्रमोग ककमा गमा है , औय इसे मथासम्बव सही रूऩ भें यखना चाहहए; जैसे— If he had studied,
he would have passed.
'we would have' will be used instead of 'we will have' because Conditional Past Tense is
used here, and it should be maintained correctly; Like— If he had studied, he would
have passed.
9. A) Bang for the buck (idiom) –– More value for money धन ऩ
10. D) No substitution
11. A) No substitution
12. B) Trilogy (noun) – A group of three novels or plays, each complete in itself त्रैतीयक
Trivet (noun) – a three-legged stand for supporting a hot dish or pot. तीन पायों वारा
स्टैंड
Triplet (noun) – one of three children or animals born at the same time from the same
pregnancy ततड़र्ााँ (मिि)ु
Triumvir (noun) – one of three rulers who share power, especially in ancient Rome.
त्रैतीयक (िासक)
13. B) The doctor said that everything was going to be alright.
14. 'A) Procure' का use होगा क्मोंकक "procure" का अथथ होता है प्राप्त कयना मा खयीदना। Sentence भें
mention ककमा गमा है कक बायत अधधकारयक रूऩ से Russia से MIG-29 औय Sukhoi-30MKI रडाकू
ववभानों को प्राप्त कय यहा है, इसलरए 'procure' महाॉ सही है । जफकक 'Achieve' का अथथ है प्राप्त कयना
(भुकाभ के रूऩ भें ), 'Accomplish' का अथथ है ऩूया कयना, औय 'Advance' का अथथ है आगे फढ़ना, जो इस
context भें सही नहीॊ है ।
Procure' should be used because it means to obtain or purchase. The sentence
indicates that India is formally moving ahead to obtain MIG-29 and Sukhoi-30MKI
fighters from Russia, making 'procure' appropriate here. Whereas, 'Achieve' implies
reaching a goal, 'Accomplish' means to complete, and 'Advance' means to move
forward, which don't fit in this context.
15. A) BCAD
We saw in the distance a great column of smoke. We wondered if it came from a
chimney or a burning house When we got near, we saw it was the steam rising from
hot springs. We thought of taking a bath in the hot water.
16. D) 'Pressures' का use होगा क्मोंकक "pressures" का अथथ होता है दफाव मा तनाव, जजससे ककसी को
ऩये शानी हो सकती है । Sentence भें mention ककमा गमा है कक काजर को काभ औय घय की वजह से
धचडधचडाऩन आ गमा था, इसलरए 'pressures' महाॉ सही है । जफकक 'gravities' का अथथ होता है
गुरुत्वाकषथण, 'weights' का अथथ है बाय औय 'forces' का अथथ है फर जो इस context भें सही नहीॊ है ।
'Pressures' should be used because it signifies stress or tension that can lead to
someone feeling irritable. The sentence mentions that Kajal became short-tempered
due to work and domestic responsibilities, making 'pressures' appropriate here.
Whereas, 'gravities' refers to gravitational pull, 'weights' means heaviness, and
'forces' means strength or power, which don't fit in this context.
17. A) DBAC
A hare, being pursued by an eagle, took himself for refuge to the nest of a beetle,
whom he begged to save him. The beetle therefore interceded with the eagle, begging
of him not to kill the poor suppliant, and pleaded with him not to kill so small an
animal. . But the eagle, in wrath, gave the beetle a flap of his wing, and straightaway
seized upon the hare and devoured him. . When the eagle flew away, the beetle flew
after him, to learn where his nest was.
18. A) Drove (noun) – A herd or flock of animals being driven in a body जानर्रों की टोऱी
Cluster (noun) – A group of similar things or people positioned or occurring closely
together समूह
Throng (noun) – A large, densely packed crowd of people or animals भीड़
Crowd (noun) – A large number of people gathered together मानर् समूह
19. C) 'quiet' 'quite' 'quiet' ' ' 'quite'
' 'औ ' ' —
'quite' will be used instead of 'quiet' because 'quiet' means 'silent' while 'quite'
means 'very' or 'to a considerable extent', and here the context is to intensify the
unpleasantness of the experiences. Like— The journey was exhausting but the
scenery was quite beautiful.
20. B) The incorrect spelling among the given options is 'Voilence'. The correct spelling is
‘violence’ हहिंसात्मकता, हहिंसा.
21. B) 'By' का use होगा क्मोंकक honey का production Melipona Bees द्वाया होता है । 'By' का use
ककसी कामथ को कयने वारे का सॊदबथ भें होता है , जैसे कक महाॉ ऩय Melipona Bees होते हैं। 'With' का
अथथ होता है 'साथ भें ', 'Through' का अथथ होता है 'के भाध्मभ से', औय 'Of' का अथथ होता है 'का', जो
इस context भें सही नहीॊ है ।
'By' should be used because the honey is produced by Melipona Bees. 'By' is used in
the context of who is performing the action, as in Melipona Bees in this case.
Whereas, 'With' means 'along with', 'Through' means 'by means of', and 'Of' means
'belonging to', which don't fit in this context.
22. 'B) Between' का use होगा क्मोंकक "between" का अथथ होता है ककसी दो सीभाओॊ के फीच भें ।
Sentence भें mention ककमा गमा है कक मह भधभ
ु जक्खमाॉ 700 से 1500 भीटय की ऊॉचाई के फीच ऩाई
जाती हैं, इसलरए 'between' महाॉ सही है । जफकक 'After' का अथथ है फाद भें , 'Among' का अथथ है ककसी
सभह
ू भें , औय 'Midst' का अथथ है फीच मा भध्म भें , जो इस context भें सही नहीॊ है ।
'Between' should be used because it denotes a range within two limits. The
sentence indicates that these bees are found within an altitude of 700 to 1,500
meters, making 'between' appropriate here. Whereas, 'After' implies a sequence,
'Among' means within a group, and 'Midst' means in the middle of, which don't fit in
this context.
23. B) 'To' का use होगा क्मोंकक "due to" एक common phrase है जजसका अथथ होता है "के कायण"।
Sentence भें फतामा गमा है कक Melipona Bees के छोटे आकाय के कायण वे अधधक nutrients प्राप्त
कय सकते हैं तुरना भें ननमलभत honeybees से, इसलरए 'to' महाॉ सही है । जफकक 'For', 'Of', औय 'At'
इस context भें सही नहीॊ हैं।
To' should be used as the phrase "due to" means "because of". The sentence
describes that due to the small size of the Melipona Bees, they can obtain more
nutrients compared to regular honeybees, making 'to' appropriate here. Whereas,
'For', 'Of', and 'At' do not fit in this context.
24. D) Than' का use होगा क्मोंकक महाॉ ऩय comparison ककमा जा यहा है। "Larger nutrients" की तुरना
'regular honeybees' से की जा यही है , इसलरए 'than' महाॉ ऩय सही है । 'And' का अथथ होता है 'औय',
'Then' का अथथ है 'कपय' मा 'तफ', औय 'Though' का अथथ है 'हाराॊकक', जो इस context भें सही नहीॊ हैं।
'Than' should be used because a comparison is being made here. "Larger nutrients"
are being compared to 'regular honeybees', making 'than' the correct choice. 'And'
means 'additionally', 'Then' indicates a sequence or time, and 'Though' means
'however', which don't fit in this context.
25. 'D) Soothe' का use होगा क्मोंकक "soothe" का अथथ होता है ददथ मा असहजता को कभ कयना।
Sentence भें mention ककमा गमा है कक मह honey तयु ॊ त sore throat को ठीक कय सकता है , इसलरए
'soothe' महाॉ सही है। जफकक 'Appease' का अथथ है सॊतुष्ट कयना, 'Pacify' का अथथ है शाॊत कयना, औय
'Calm' का अथथ है शाॊत यखना, जो इस context भें सही नहीॊ है ।