24 billion is not upfront payment and Pakistan for most projects defer the payment or repay it through IMF for current cash flow issues.
The deals value is based on consumption of energy and is not the money offered to France. The amount that will go to France is a fraction of the amount as noted by Zaki (I stll don't know why you are not an elite member!).
The hype created by euphoric journalism is there for all to see. No link between the action of Supreme court and the strategic interests of Pakistan is known and Pakistani ruppee news is worthless. The scandal when seen as a befitting reply to France is laughable. France does not need Pakistan but Pakistan needs investment, technology and energy. Today, the list of developing countries are large and options for companies like GDF Suez is many. Take a good look at the order book of this company and they are working close to full capacity and will be doing so in the next 5 years.
Pakistan is the cross roads of development and is thirsty of investment. Such litigations from supreme court though commendable will alienate foreign investment due to the perceived delay in execution / awarding of any project. And corruption is a given in most projects. Such intervention by law has not deterred the corrupt from continuing to do what they do best.
Pakistan is also energy hungry and this delay /cancellation will invite bidders. Any linkage of private players in the bid to their nationality and especially of an EU member will be looked upon in bad light.
And, no Pakistan is not in a position to deposit that amount in to foreign reserves as it does not have it in the first place. The current foreign reserves of Pakistan is ~$ 15 B.
