"Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Federal Privatisation and Investment Minister, chaired an IMF seminar in which he lauded the efforts of the government and..."
"That's the basic principle of politics: you have got to support the party or person responsible for your position of power."
"So you think he did it blindly and.."
"Not blindly but he couldn't have said that Pakistan is not doing such a great job with political and economic liberalisation.."
"Why did he have to talk of political liberalisation - I mean he could have stuck to economic liberalisation and be believed but why political liberalisation?"
"I believe the current literature on the subject has concluded that the two are interlinked. I mean no longer can the unelected insist that they are more liberal in economic policies than a democratically elected government."
"Ah, I see. But they can conclude that they are greater democrats than anyone else on the planet."
"You will get into serious trouble yet."
"Sorry that slipped out. But getting invited to chair these sessions is still a big thing isn't it."
"That the IMF would invite our minister to chair the session?"
"Well, not exactly - they ask many people and some say yes. I mean perhaps Sheikh Sahib was the only one who wanted to travel to Washington at this time - perhaps the others were busy and.."
"And don't forget Pakistani ministers are much in demand - I mean we have the sole superpower very happy with us and so our ministers can get invited anywhere in the world."
"Don't also forget that our ministers seem to be more available than ministers from other countries for foreign trips, shall we say?"
"That too. Yes. But talking of the US being happy with us Condoleeza Rice says Musharraf was told before 9/11 to bring Osama to justice."
"Musharraf should accept or deny that charge."
"Why? If he keeps quiet he could reap benefits from the US especially if Bush wins."
"And if he loses?"
"Then Musharraf can deny it. I mean remember prior to Bush becoming the President he didn't even know who was ruling Pakistan and he ignored Musharraf till 9/11 because of the small matter of there being no democracy here."
"Yes, I remember - wonder if Rice remembered it or whether she had so much confidence in Musharraf's support that she thought she could say whatever she wanted."
"Don't know. Let's wait for Musharraf's statement."
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